June 2018 Question of The Month: Advance Care Directives for Health vs Health Care Proxy
Is there a difference between Advance Care Directives for Health and a Health Care Proxy? Do I need more than the proxy if I become sick? Beth’s Answer: First, let’s define what a health care proxy is and does. The Health Care Proxy (also called "agent") has the authority to [...]
May 2018 Question of The Month: Divorce, child support and special needs trusts
Question: My spouse and I have settled our divorce. Our special needs child, now age 14, will receive $2,100.00 per month of child support until she is age 21. She is developmentally disabled. She will need her to keep her current Medicaid and when she is age 18. Is there [...]
April 2018 Question of the Month: Divorcing Parent Asks About Special Needs Trust
April 2018 Question of the Month My spouse and I have filed for divorce. We have two children. One child is age 17 with special needs. Everyone keeps telling us that we need a special needs trust and guardianship for our child, but I don’t know what that means. I [...]
Question of the Month: Who will make end-of-life decisions for me?
This month's question looks at the difference between a health care proxy in NY and a Living Will. A client asked this question: "I am in my late 80’s and widowed. I recently spoke with my family about how I want to be cared for if I become ill and [...]
Question of the Month: Can I save for my special needs child’s future? She has a disability and will need Medicaid and SSI when she is age 18.
This month’s question: "Can I save for my special needs child's future? She has a disability and will need Medicaid and SSI when she is age 18." Beth's answer: Yes, you can now save for your child's future without affecting Medicaid and SSI eligibility and without spending legal fees. As [...]
Question of the Month – “I Have a Will, Why Do I Need a Power of Attorney?”
This month’s question highlights the difference between taking care of your heirs and taking care of yourself: “I have a Will, why do I need a Power of Attorney?” These two legal documents have very different purposes. A Will – also called a Last Will and Testament – specifies what [...]