by Jerrold Bartholomew on August 1, 2008
Question: I approached my local Veterans’ Administration office for information about the Aid and Attendance Pension. They told me I had too much money to receive the pension. But I have reoccurring medical expenses of more than $1,000.00 per month. Is there anything I can do?
Answer: This is a delicate situation. On the one hand, some estate planning could allow you to qualify for the Aid and Attendance Pension. On the other, you would be mistaken to think that qualification for the Aid and Attendance Pension alone is sufficient. You need to be planning ahead for Medicaid long-term care at the same time that you are qualifying for veterans’ benefits. [click to continue…]
by Jerrold Bartholomew on March 22, 2008
In my practice I have all too often I found evidence that my elderly clients have been victims of financial abuse in one way or another. This story shows just how common the phenomenon is:
Motivated by the high interest rates and the fear that Jeannetta, at least, might outlive their savings, the Mounceys drained their bank accounts and invested $135,000.
“With Jack being so sick, we wanted to make sure we had decent income, because I couldn’t afford our house on my own,” said Jeannetta Mouncey, 64.
Less than a year later, though, the interest checks had stopped and much of the Sarasota couple’s money was unaccounted for. Their First Liberty sales agent, Fred Howard, had disappeared. Eventually, the company went dark, too, its president locked up in an Arizona prison on securities fraud charges.
[click to continue…]
