Highlighting Celebrity Estate Planning Issues Part 1 [Episode 88]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur dive into estate planning through the lens of celebrities and use them to highlight the ways that you can put a plan in place, in order to take care of those that you care about.

They discuss the story surrounding Buzz Aldrin and his desire to get married again, despite his children’s concerns regarding competence and the legal implements regarding guardianship that are in place. They talk about the possibility of a prenuptial agreement providing safeguards that could quell the concerns of the children.

Joe and Susan discuss the detailed will and trust of Frank Sinatra and the company that his daughter was running, but was left to his wife, Barbara. They also discuss former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren Burger and his 176-word will. The division of assets was not evenly split, causing discord among family members.

They also talk about the will of Lauren Bacall and the taxes due on her estate. Joe discusses issues involving liquidity in estate planning. Joe and Susan wrap things up by talking about Lisa Marie Presley and her issues surrounding her father’s estate and the issues surrounding her own finances.

Learning More From Your Pharmacist [Episode 87]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur are joined by pharmacist and director of HbL PharmaConsulting Dr. Hedva Barenholtz Levy to discuss her work as a certified geriatric pharmacist in St. Louis. They break down her the importance of medication adherence, as well as any potential health risks related to the medication that you take as you age.

Dr. Levy highlights the pharmacist’s ability to answer the pressing questions that you may have, regarding the medication that you take. Joe and Dr. Levy discuss how important a pharmacist is in an era of specialists in medicine, as well as the pharmacist’s ability to promote safety, health outcomes that doctors are looking for when prescribing, and the peace of mind for you when you take them.

Dr. Levy discusses the resources that seniors have in the community, in order to gain more information about the medications that they take. The group also discusses the process of becoming a board-certified geriatric pharmacist, as well as common problems that seniors have with their medications.

Understanding Nursing Homes Part 2 [Episode 86]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur continue their discussion from the previous episode about nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Joe explains the historical timeline of legislation that regulated the nursing homes and long-term care facility industry, as well as what a resident assessment plan is.

Joe states that a resident assessment plan is a document that includes the senior’s health history, doctor’s orders, and prescriptions, among other items of information. He also explains what a comprehensive person-centered care plan is, as well as the regulations regarding informing family members of significant changes in the senior’s health.

Joe goes into detail on areas that government regulations forbid within nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The issues that seniors face in long-term care facilities need to be treated, and the families need to be notified with explanations given. Joe also details alternatives to restrictive methods that long-term care facilities may employ for the safety and well-being of the senior, as well as issues surrounding facility staffing.

Understanding Nursing Homes Part 1 [Episode 85]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur detail the ins and outs of nursing homes. Joe breaks down the different types of facilities that exist and the different types of services that each of them offers.

Joe talks about the standards and requirements of skilled care and long-term care facilities. These facilities have a specific standard that they are expected to maintain, and Joe addresses major concerns that historically do exist in the quality of care and meeting the expectations of the senior and their family members.

Joe details the federal and state activities of daily living and highlights their importance in deciding what type of facility is best for the senior in question. He also talks about what law reforms have come to pass, in regards to any possible safety issues that can arise. Joe details the issues surrounding wandering and elopement at the skilled care or long-term care facility.

Common Questions Regarding Your Plan [Episode 84]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur answer listener questions, regarding issues that those facing the aging process would find helpful. These questions answer topics surrounding protecting assets, when you are attempting to qualify for Medicaid,  whether payments to third-parties are subject to the five-year look-back rule of Medicaid, whether or not writing the wrong address or wrong last name on a Power of Attorney document requires getting a new one, how competency can play a factor in determining whether or not someone is fit to live on their own, utilizing the legal maneuvering involved in creating a new Power of Attorney, in order to override the decision-making of someone named in the original one, the time that it takes to settle an estate, and so much more.

Joe and Susan discuss what the best way is to give money to your grandchildren, what a 529 plan is, the benefits of a trust, and how insurance policies can affect qualifying for Medicaid.

Learning About Elder Orphans [Episode 83]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur discusses the challenges that come up when you are an elder orphan, and Susan explains that an elder orphan is an aging adult who does not have adult children close by or at all, a spouse, or family members that are close by.

Joe and Susan discuss the impact that not having family members in the area has, as well as the need to create a familial-type unit in communities. They also talk about churches and the various organizations that exist, in order to take care of seniors who find themselves in these difficult situations.

They talk about the necessary steps that family members who live far away from their aging family members have to take, in order to allow them to stay in their home while they can. However, Joe and Susan highlight taking the necessary steps before emergencies arise. Joe also discusses durable Power of Attorneys and who you could potentially choose to represent your best interests.

Making Realistic Resolutions for 2019 [Episode 82]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur kick off 2019 by discussing practical New Year’s resolutions, so that you can be benefit from the changes you make in the new year.

In no particular order, Joe and Susan discuss having important estate planning documents located in a place where other people know where they are, having a plan for asset transfer, having conversations with your family members about what you have decided, making sure that you have Powers of Attorney and health care directives created, so that your wishes regarding financial and medical decisions can be realized by a loved one, having a reliable emergency alert tool, joining a walking program, so that you can get the exercise in, and getting a physical, committing to a social club or activity, so that you can gain the physical benefits of social interaction with others.

The Rules and Application Process of Medicaid [Episode 81]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur continue their discussion on Medicaid, how to qualify for Medicaid, as well as the important dates involving Medicaid. Joe breaks down the form that is used in the division of assets involved in the Medicaid qualification process, as well as the importance of coming prepared with all of your records and established values.

Joe cautions against cutting corners in this process, detailing how the applications process comes under penalty and could result in criminal prosecution if done incorrectly. He talks about the snapshot date and how the community spouse has a range of value of assets that they can keep, in order to stay qualified for Medicaid.

Joe explains the Name on the Check rule, as well as what minimum monthly maintenance is. He offers several examples involving real life issues that can affect Medicaid and the assets available to the community spouse. He also details the economics of the Medicaid industry regarding facilities and beds for those in need of long-term care.

Dissecting Medicaid [Episode 80]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur continue their ongoing discussion regarding Medicaid. They discuss how Medicare, as a form of health insurance, and how it is not a method of paying for long-term care. They explain the difference between rehabilitative and custodial care and how Medicare and Medicaid play a factor in paying for care.

Joe explains how many of the facilities that provide care eventually may have to reevaluate whether the care is rehabilitative or not after 100 days and how those who have substantial financial assets can qualify for Medicaid. Joe talks about the importance of choosing a lawyer for a Medicaid issue who has experience in this area.

Joe describes how a snapshot date is the first day of the first continuous 30-day period of hospitalization or institutionalization and how that date can define what assets are available to the community spouse. Joe also describes the difference between the snapshot date and the application date.

Grandparenting During the Holiday Season [Episode 79]

/in , /by

Subscribe: RSS

Back by popular demand, attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur are rejoined by Larry Fowler, of Legacy Coalition, as they discuss the complications surrounding grandparenting during the holiday season. He talks about the joys and challenges that surround the logistical side of the holiday experience, as well as the pitfalls surrounding grandparents offering parenting advice to their own children.

Larry emphasizes the act of grandparenting, as opposed to parenting, which means leaving issues of disciplining children to the parents themselves and support the decisions of your children in those types of matters. He says that influence comes from relationships and not from control and highlights the counterproductive nature of attempting to control situations during the holiday season.

He also talks about the importance of one-on-one time between a grandparent and a grandchild and how that time can benefit a grandparent-grandchild relationship. Larry highlights how asking questions can help you relate to your grandchild.