King & Wood, P.A.

Don’t Fall for These Medicaid and Estate Myths

“Since estate issues, one way or another, affect everyone over time (since death does) and since Medicaid planning has for many years been a topic of popular conversation—and popular misconceptions in the U.S., it is not unusual that both subjects have generated misunderstandings and, in some cases, folklore that has persisted.”

No matter how many articles are published and posted, many myths continue to come up in conversations between estate planning attorneys and their clients, says a recent article from The Mercury, “PLANNING AHEAD: Outlining some common estate and Medicaid myths.” These three appear to be the most pervasive.

The “reading of the will.” Maybe we’ve all seen too many movies centered on family feuds over inheritances. However, this simply doesn’t happen today. In the movie version, beneficiaries gather in a wealthy person’s library, the decedent’s beloved cat is sitting in their favorite chair, a roaring fire blazes in the seven-foot-tall fireplace and a shock reverberates around the room as the cat is named the sole heir to a fortune.

None of this is true, although a pet trust could be used to pay for the care of the cat. There are requirements in some states to notify interested parties of the death, and in some instances, notices need to be published in local newspapers. It is not necessary to provide a copy of the will to interested parties. However, a copy of the will can be obtained once it has been filed with the court as part of probate.

The government or nursing home takes the family residence once a resident enters a Medicaid facility. This is a scary myth. However, the reality is more complex. The government and nursing homes don’t keep an inventory of houses. If a nursing home resident who is unmarried qualifies for Medicaid and still owns a home in their own name and the home is still in their name upon death, in many states, the state generally has a claim as a creditor of the estate through the process of recovery to compensate the state for funds used for the person’s care.

If the house was sold during the lifetime of the Medicaid recipient, the house, which has been an exempt asset under the Medicaid rules, has lost its exempt status by being converted to cash, which is not exempt. This becomes a complicated transaction, but the taking idea is an oversimplification.

There are also exceptions, even during lifetime. They may include transferring the Medicaid recipient’s house to a disabled child or transferring the house to a “caretaker child” if the requirements are met. An experienced elder law estate planning attorney is needed to work through these complex issues.

Finally, there’s a myth or misunderstanding about the five-year lookback period. Most people know the rule applying to transfers before requesting Medicaid benefits. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds. It makes more sense to say assets may not be transferred without following the many rules—and there are many.

For peace of mind, it’s best to meet with an experienced elder law attorney to map out your plan for long-term care and create or update an estate plan. Their knowledge of your state’s laws regarding estate planning and Medicaid will be invaluable.

Reference: The Mercury (Aug. 16, 2023) “PLANNING AHEAD: Outlining some common estate and Medicaid myths”

Wrong Form Leads to a Trust Forfeiting a Large Tax Refund

“The moral of this tax tale is that you have to be careful about making sure you file the right tax form to get what you want.”

The other message is to be certain that the person serving as a trustee has the knowledge to administer the trust properly or the wisdom to retain an experienced estate planning attorney who will know how to administer a trust. Not every CPA has detailed knowledge about trust taxation, reports the recent article, “Trust’s Incorrect Tax Form Forfeited large Tax Refund Claim: A Lesson For Trustees,” from Forbes.

For income tax purposes, there are several types of trusts. “Grantor trusts” are those whose income is taxed to the person, the settlor, who created the trust. The trust at issue was a grantor trust. However, when the taxpayer who created the trust died, the trust became a non-grantor trust. These are also called “complex” trusts. The income is not reported by the person creating the trust. Complex trusts usually pay their own income taxes. The beneficiaries receiving distributions then report the income for tax purposes included in the income received from the trust. This is referred to as the trust’s Distributable Net Income or “DNI.”

In this case, the trust is the remainder trust after the termination of a Qualified Personal Residence Trust or “QPRT.” This is a trust used to transfer a valuable house from the taxpayer’s estate to descendants or to a trust for them at a discount from the trust’s current value.

The trust had income to report for income tax purposes, which will be done on Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts. The trust felt it was entitled to a refund of some of the taxes it paid, so it filed for a refund. Refund claims are supposed to be filed by amending the trust income tax return, but the trust filed Form 843, a form to claim a refund. The wrong form led the Court to determine that the trust failed to take appropriate action, and the refund was lost. The trust’s filing did put the IRS on notice that the claim was the wrong action.

The IRS said the taxpayer’s filing of Form 843 was insufficient as a formal claim because an amended Form 1041 is the proper form. The Court found that the IRS is authorized to demand information in a particular form and to insist that the form is observed. The instructions on Form 853 advise that the form is for a refund of taxes other than income tax, while the instructions on Form 1041 indicate that it must be used to claim a refund.

What happened in this case? Someone managing the trust didn’t know enough about trust taxation. The family may not have had regular meetings with their estate and trust attorney who created the trust. The deceased taxpayer in this case was a judge, and the trustee was the son of the judge. The taxpayer died in 2015, and the house was sold for $1.8 million the next year. The IRS demanded $930,127 in taxes, penalties, and interest from the Trust. The Trust paid that amount assessed on September 24, 2021. The court opinion was handed down on August 7, 2023. The amount of costs in accounting and legal fees must have been enormous.

This is an excellent example of why families need to have regular, ongoing meetings with their estate planning attorneys and tax advisors to be sure everyone is on the same page. Annual reviews and an estate planning attorney focusing on trust taxation could have saved this family money, time, and the stress of an unresolved IRS issue.

Reference: Forbes (Aug. 19, 2023) “Trust’s Incorrect Tax Form Forfeited large Tax Refund Claim: A Lesson For Trustees”

What Kind of Medicare Plan Should You Have?

“If you’re thinking about retiring, or are already covered by Medicare, you might be overwhelmed by all the choices out there.”

It’s no wonder people make poor choices about their plans, which can be disastrously expensive since the older we get, the more we need healthcare. A recent article from The Wall Street Journal, “The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Picking a Medicare Plan,” takes a look at the mistakes people make, how to make better choices and which plans are recommended.

Underestimating the costs of traditional Medicare is one of the biggest mistakes. Traditional Medicare, which the government offers, has three parts: A, B, and D. Part A covers care for inpatient hospital services, among other things, and Part B is for physician services. Part D is for prescription services.

The appeal of traditional Medicare is the ability to visit any hospital, doctor, or healthcare provider without a referral or prior authorization of services. If you have doctors you trust, do a lot of domestic travel, need care in different places, or think you might benefit from a treatment a private insurer may deny, this is your best choice.

Many people don’t even consider the options when choosing traditional Medicare. Instead, they allow it to be chosen for them. If you claim Social Security before age 65, which nearly half of Americans do, the Social Security Administration automatically enrolls you in traditional Medicare when you turn 65. It’s the path of least resistance. However, this might not always be the best fit.

The flexibility of the plan comes with certain costs. Part A premiums are often zero for those who have worked for at least ten years. However, Part B carries premiums based on household income. If your household modified adjusted gross income exceeds about $370,000 (or individually more than about $180,000), those premiums can rise to more than $500 a month per individual.

With traditional Medicare, a hospitalization has a $1,600 deductible. A hospital stay longer than 60 days comes with a $400 co-payment daily, and a skilled nursing facility stay of more than 20 days will cost $200 a day. You’ll also be responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of physician services during the hospital stay.

Another big mistake is underestimating the costs of Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage is an alternative to traditional Medicare. First, you sign up for Parts A and B, and then you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Part C. This option is a bundle of A, B, and D, delivered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Some plans do not include prescription drug coverage, so you must check carefully.

Medicare Advantage companies are paid a fixed amount of money monthly by the government, so they have an incentive to reduce costs by providing better coverage for medicines that will keep you out of the hospital, However, there are coverage issues. Zero premiums apply to Part A and D, meaning you still pay the Part B premium.  The cost savings on out-of-pocket costs apply only if you stay in network. If you go out of network, your care can quickly become extremely expensive. The in-network and out-of-network distinctions limit where you can get your medical care. If you need access to a certain hospital or healthcare provider and they are not in the network, there may be better options for you.

Choosing traditional Medicare without Medigap, supplemental insurance sold by private companies helps traditional Medicare beneficiaries pay for cost-sharing in Parts A and B. Nearly 10% of those who chose traditional Medicare don’t have supplemental coverage.

Neglecting to get prescription coverage is another big and expensive mistake. You aren’t automatically enrolled in Part D—you must proactively select this plan covering prescription drugs. You have only 63 days after your initial enrollment in Medicare to enroll in Part D. If you miss this window and don’t have any other drug coverage, your Part D premium will be permanently higher.

Finally, many people feel this is too confusing to manage on their own, so they turn to a broker, which makes sense. You should know brokers work on commission, receiving payment from insurance companies. Make sure to ask your broker how they are paid, ask about the plans they are not telling you about and whether or not the discounts you are being offered at sign-up will go away in a year or so.

Reference: The Wall Street Journal (Aug. 15, 2023) “The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Picking a Medicare Plan”

Boomers, Beware: Don’t Spend Your Money This Way in Retirement

“Once they retire, many seniors change their spending patterns quite a bit. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, as long as they remain within their retirement budget.”

Whether because they feel like they’ve earned the right to splurge or because they don’t understand how problematic overspending can be for a retirement budget, there are several things Boomers really need to skip. This recent article, “8 Things Boomers Should Never Buy in Retirement,” from msn.com, explains.

Overpriced vacations. Most retirees hope to travel during their golden years. If it fits with their budget, that’s great. However, even if your nest egg boasts seven figures, a $50,000 around-the-world cruise every year will quickly empty even the biggest retirement accounts. This is an exaggeration, of course, but what is “overpriced” depends on your lifetime and your retirement funds.

Extravagant gifts. Retirees are often a little too generous with making gifts, enjoying seeing the next generation or grandchildren benefit from their largesse. However, too many gifts will empty the savings needed for a long retirement.

Unnecessary or Overly Expensive Home Renovations. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally upgrading your home if you plan to age in place. Putting in grab bars in showers, adding lighting, etc., will make your home safer and could enhance its resale value. However, is now the time to install the latest solar panel system or redo the kitchen with top-of-the-line kitchen appliances? It is probably not the best investment for your retirement budget.

Buying Discretionary Items on Credit. Most retirees live on a fixed income from Social Security and retirement or pension income. If they spend beyond those amounts, they’ll do so by going into debt. Credit card debt is very expensive and will drag down even the best-created retirement budgets.

Timeshare Vacation Homes. Traveling to another location for a few weeks or a month every year or trading with other time-share owners to go to different locations is very appealing. However, the reality is that timeshares are expensive and restrictive. They are not easily re-sold, rarely appreciate value, and have ongoing expenses. You’ll be better off taking traditional vacations.

Excessive Life Insurance. If you didn’t purchase life insurance in your 40s or 50s, by the time you reach retirement age, the cost of a new life insurance policy could prove to be prohibitively expensive. If your kids are grown, the mortgage is paid off and your retirement accounts are in good shape, this may be an expense you can skip.

Out-of-Network Medical Services. Medical expenses typically increase as we age. However, don’t spend more than you must. Most insurance plans charge more if you use a doctor or other healthcare provider who’s out of network, so it pays to find an in-network provider before undergoing any procedures.

Let Your Children Pay for Some Things. It’s natural to want to spend money on your family but be protective of your nest egg. Gifts are one thing, but paying for an adult’s cell phone bill, rent, or credit card debt will drain your resources fast.

Everyone’s financial situation is different, but remember that spending in some of these categories will likely cause more financial difficulties than you need. The best advice? Stick to a budget, and don’t live beyond your means. It’s much harder to dig yourself out of a financial hole when living on a fixed income.

Reference: msn.com (Aug. 18, 2023) “8 Things Boomers Should Never Buy in Retirement”

How to Decide on an Executor?

“Have you found an executor (also known as a personal representative) to handle your affairs should you become incapacitated or die?”

Planning for death-related events isn’t as much fun as planning a weekend getaway. Therefore, you’d be forgiven for procrastinating. However, that doesn’t mean you can put off naming an executor forever, says a recent article from AARP, “7 Things to Know About Appointing an Executor.”

Your executor needs to possess the stamina, patience, and persistence to complete the tasks of this role. If they don’t, having your estate administered may become difficult or impossible. Serving as an executor can be harder than people think. Problems begin when someone names a family member just because they are family—which is not the best reason.

It’s best to name someone rather than no one, advises the article. You can always change the executor if they decide they don’t want the responsibility or die before you. If you don’t name anyone, the court will decide for you, It may not be someone you know or the last person you want to handle your estate.

Things can get even more complicated if you don’t leave clear instructions, including where to find your important documents, the keys to your home and car and usernames and passwords to various digital assets. Instead of making everything harder for the ones you love, it’s best to make it easier.

There are seven main tasks for the executor to complete. The first is planning the funeral. You can make that easier by expressing your wishes to your executor and leaving the information in documents. Don’t add it to your will—the executor may not see the will until long after you’ve been buried or cremated.

The executor must obtain a death certificate, find the will and retain an estate planning attorney. The death certificate is issued by your county of residence and is signed by the physician who verified your death. If you’ve had a valid will prepared, your property will be distributed according to the terms of the will. Assets in trusts or accounts with beneficiary designations will go directly to your heirs. Everyone should review their beneficiary designations regularly and update as needed. The beneficiary designations surpass any wishes in the will.

Notify the probate court. Your executor or attorney will need to petition the probate court in the area where you live. They’ll complete a form to obtain a Letter of Administration or Letters Testamentary. These are used to prove that they are the court-approved executor.

Inform all interested parties. Deaths must be reported to employers, Social Security, friends, and family members. Anyone who might have an “interest” in the estate needs to be notified. In some jurisdictions, this requires publishing a death notice in the local paper several times shortly after the person has passed. Banks and other financial institutions also need to be notified.

Pay all debts and file taxes. If applicable, the executor must settle all obligations with creditors and file income, inheritance, or estate taxes.

Create an inventory of assets and plan for distribution. This includes probate and non-probate assets. This includes assets that are jointly owned or held in trust. Next, the executor determines what is sold, kept, donated, or discarded.

Distribute assets among beneficiaries. This occurs only after any estate liabilities, including taxes and paying creditors, are settled.

Complete the final accounting and all required forms. Your executor must dissolve existing accounts and ensure that the court has everything needed to settle your estate.

Your will helps your loved ones navigate the process of settling your estate. Include clear instructions in a letter of intent, so they know what accounts they must deal with. Above all, make sure that the person you name to serve as executor can handle the tasks and the family dynamics accompanying grief.

Reference: AARP (Aug. 8, 2023) “7 Things to Know About Appointing an Executor”

Will You Receive a Social Security Award Letter?

“There are different types of Social Security benefits available, and the type of letter you get will depend on your application.”

A Social Security award letter is an official document notifying recipients that their application for Social Security benefits has been approved, and payments will be sent, explains the article “What Is a Social Security Award Letter?” from U.S. News & World Report. There’s another type of document, a benefit verification letter, which includes more details about benefits and can be used as proof of income from Social Security.

The award letter confirms you’ll begin to receive benefits, lays out the next steps you need to take to receive benefits, and can be used if there’s any question about your eligibility. This document is essential, so keep it secure with other related paperwork.

The Social Security Administration issues these letters once their application for benefits has been approved. They show the information about your qualifications, prove you’re entitled to benefits, and help guide you in making the right choices to get benefits.

The first step is to apply for benefits, which you may do by filling out an online application on the Social Security website, calling a local office to speak with a representative, or going to the local Social Security office in person.

If you are not awarded benefits for some reason, you may be able to appeal the decision.

Once benefits are being sent, you may receive a benefits verification letter, also known as a benefits letter, a budget letter, a proof of income letter, or a proof of award letter.

You may need these documents to apply for housing, a loan, or other financial transactions.

There are different types of people who receive Social Security awards letters. Retirees who have worked and paid into the system are eligible once they meet the criteria, including enough work credits. Retirees may apply for benefits as early as 62 and as late as 70. If you sign up for benefits before your full retirement age, you might see reduced benefits for a temporary period.

Those who have worked and paid into the system and become disabled may receive disability benefits. These benefits are to help cover the loss of income and may help support the family of a disabled individual.

Surviving spouses and dependents of eligible workers may receive survivor benefits. These are designed to support family members, especially young children when a working person dies.

Typically benefits arrive within 30 to 90 days after the award letter is received.

Reference: U.S. News & World Report (Aug. 14, 2023) “What Is a Social Security Award Letter?”

How to Pay for Hearing Aids

“More than 48 million Americans, including two in three adults over 70, live with hearing loss.”

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a higher level of depression, cognitive decline, dementia, falls, visits to the emergency room, and hospital stays. Despite this, says an article from ncoa Adviser, “Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids: A Complete Guide for Older Adults,” fewer than 15% of adults who need hearing aids use them, and the average person takes nearly nine years to go about getting a pair after being told they have hearing loss.

Part of the reason for the delay is financial. Resources for getting hearing aids vary from state to state, and even county to county, which can be confusing. Here’s how to get started.

First, check with your health insurance company to see what’s covered and ask about additional services. You’re not just buying an appliance. Hearing aids require activation and fitting, and other unexpected out-of-pocket costs may occur. Sometimes the easiest way to verify insurance is to have a hearing aid clinic check into it.

Except in five states—Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island—insurance providers are not required to cover hearing aids as part of health care for adults. Medicare Parts A and B don’t cover the cost of hearing aids or fitting exams. Still, Medicare Part B covers hearing and balance exams ordered by a doctor and an annual audiology appointment to evaluate hearing loss. Whether or not Medicare Advantage, aka Medicare Part C, provides coverage depends upon the plan.

Medicaid coverage varies by state and plan. Many people with Medicare and Medicaid can sign up with select insurance companies and get coverage at no additional cost, but the coverage varies. Also, the quality of the hearing aids may differ.

Active duty military service members and family members diagnosed with hearing loss meeting the coverage criteria may be eligible to receive hearing aids through a TRICARE-approved provider. For veterans, the VA has hearing aid benefits. They should reach out to their local office or representative. The VA website has information on how to apply for VA hearing health care and find the nearest provider.

Federal employees of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) have access to discounted hearing aids, including a free hearing exam, discounted hearing aids, and aftercare support.

Those with mild to moderate hearing loss can now consider over-the-counter hearing aids. Note that the cost of the device you are buying is a third of the price. The rest of the costs are services, so be sure what services are bundled into the offerings. Instead of relying on online reviews, research trusted sources. You’ll want to clearly understand the return policy, warranty coverage for damage and loss, and customer service.

Reference: ncoa Adviser (July 2, 2023) “Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids: A Complete Guide for Older Adults”

What’s the Best Way to Sell an Inherited Estate to an Heir?

“We have a situation where both of my in-laws passed away in the last several years. My wife was the daughter and she and her brother are the executors to the last of my in-laws to pass away.”

An estate includes a small house appraised at $220,000, which the estate owns, and the family is trying to determine the best way to transfer the home to a 30-year-old adult son. The article, “Parents seek best option to sell inherited estate to adult son” from msn.com, offers a few different options.

One option is to have the son purchase the home from the estate directly. Another is having the parents buy the house and rent it to him, with the end goal of the son buying the home when he is in a better financial position to purchase the house.

The home is currently in a trust, which was done to make it easier for the parents or any other heirs to sell or transfer ownership of the home.

The property can remain in the trust, but the estate or the in-laws do not own it. Instead, it is owned by the beneficiaries of the trust.

The date the surviving in-law spouse died matters. Let’s say the mother-in-law was the last to die, and she died in 2022. If the property was worth $100,000 at the time of her death and its value is now $220,000, the sale to the son would trigger a tax on the $120,000 profit.

Ordinarily, suppose the property is sold within a year of the death of the property owner. In that case, the value of the property at the time of death is assumed to be identical to the amount of the sale, and there are no federal taxes to pay on the sale, as there is no profit.

What about having the son buy the property? If he can qualify for a mortgage and buy the home for the appraised amount of $220,000, the trust will likely be able to avoid any taxes. This is especially true if the date of the mother-in-law’s death was within the last year or if there is documentation showing the home had a $220,000 value at the time of her death.

What if the son can’t qualify for a mortgage, and the parents decide to rent the property to him? The property would become an investment. The wife and brother will enjoy the tax benefits of depreciation, be able to deduct real estate taxes, deduct other expenses and take the rent as income. If and when the son does buy the home, the wife and her brother will have to pay taxes on the profit from the sale of the home—assuming the house continues to appreciate in value—and will have to repay the depreciation benefit received when they owned the home as an investment property.

One thing to be explored is whether the parents or the deceased in-laws have any income or estate tax issues. Under current federal estate tax laws, as long as the estate is below the $12,900,000 exemption, there would be no federal estate taxes to pay. But some states have a state estate tax or other fees on assets left in an estate. An experienced estate planning attorney will be able to help with this.

Regardless of how the parents decide to manage this transaction, having an experienced attorney to draft the legal paperwork will be important. Everything must be carefully documented so all beneficiaries can be confident that the property transfer was done correctly.

Reference: msn.com (Aug. 10, 2023) “Parents seek best option to sell inherited estate to adult son”

What Kind of Medicare Plan Should You Have?

“If you’re thinking about retiring, or are already covered by Medicare, you might be overwhelmed by all the choices out there.”

It’s no wonder people make poor choices about their plans, which can be disastrously expensive since the older we get, the more we need healthcare. A recent article from The Wall Street Journal, “The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Picking a Medicare Plan,” takes a look at the mistakes people make, how to make better choices and which plans are recommended.

Underestimating the costs of traditional Medicare is one of the biggest mistakes. Traditional Medicare, which the government offers, has three parts: A, B, and D. Part A covers care for inpatient hospital services, among other things, and Part B is for physician services. Part D is for prescription services.

The appeal of traditional Medicare is the ability to visit any hospital, doctor, or healthcare provider without a referral or prior authorization of services. If you have doctors you trust, do a lot of domestic travel, need care in different places, or think you might benefit from a treatment a private insurer may deny, this is your best choice.

Many people don’t even consider the options when choosing traditional Medicare. Instead, they allow it to be chosen for them. If you claim Social Security before age 65, which nearly half of Americans do, the Social Security Administration automatically enrolls you in traditional Medicare when you turn 65. It’s the path of least resistance. However, this might not always be the best fit.

The flexibility of the plan comes with certain costs. Part A premiums are often zero for those who have worked for at least ten years. However, Part B carries premiums based on household income. If your household modified adjusted gross income exceeds about $370,000 (or individually more than about $180,000), those premiums can rise to more than $500 a month per individual.

With traditional Medicare, a hospitalization has a $1,600 deductible. A hospital stay longer than 60 days comes with a $400 co-payment daily, and a skilled nursing facility stay of more than 20 days will cost $200 a day. You’ll also be responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of physician services during the hospital stay.

Another big mistake is underestimating the costs of Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage is an alternative to traditional Medicare. First, you sign up for Parts A and B, and then you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Part C. This option is a bundle of A, B, and D, delivered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Some plans do not include prescription drug coverage, so you must check carefully.

Medicare Advantage companies are paid a fixed amount of money monthly by the government, so they have an incentive to reduce costs by providing better coverage for medicines that will keep you out of the hospital, However, there are coverage issues. Zero premiums apply to Part A and D, meaning you still pay the Part B premium.  The cost savings on out-of-pocket costs apply only if you stay in network. If you go out of network, your care can quickly become extremely expensive. The in-network and out-of-network distinctions limit where you can get your medical care. If you need access to a certain hospital or healthcare provider and they are not in the network, there may be better options for you.

Choosing traditional Medicare without Medigap, supplemental insurance sold by private companies helps traditional Medicare beneficiaries pay for cost-sharing in Parts A and B. Nearly 10% of those who chose traditional Medicare don’t have supplemental coverage.

Neglecting to get prescription coverage is another big and expensive mistake. You aren’t automatically enrolled in Part D—you must proactively select this plan covering prescription drugs. You have only 63 days after your initial enrollment in Medicare to enroll in Part D. If you miss this window and don’t have any other drug coverage, your Part D premium will be permanently higher.

Finally, many people feel this is too confusing to manage on their own, so they turn to a broker, which makes sense. You should know brokers work on commission, receiving payment from insurance companies. Make sure to ask your broker how they are paid, ask about the plans they are not telling you about and whether or not the discounts you are being offered at sign-up will go away in a year or so.

Reference: The Wall Street Journal (Aug. 15, 2023) “The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Picking a Medicare Plan”

Minimize Family Feuds about Your Inheritance

“The distribution of wealth among beneficiaries through your final will and testament is often a complex and sensitive issue, one that can potentially spark conflicts and legal challenges among family members.”

Your last will and testament is the document used to spell out exactly how you want your assets distributed after your death. Keeping it up to date and aligned with your state’s laws can prevent estate battles among family members. A recent article from The Motley Fool, “Where There’s A Will, There’s a Way. How You Can Avoid Conflict When Divvying Up Your Estate,” provides the details.

The article advises hiring an experienced estate planning attorney to create an up-to-date and legally valid will. You’ll want someone familiar with your state's legal nuances and who knows how the local probate courts work.

Your will is also used to name the executor of your estate, who will administer your wishes. If you have minor children, the will is used to designate a guardian for your children.

Communication with your loved ones about your intentions will give them time to process your wishes and could reduce the risk of any will contests. Share your plans with immediate family members and key beneficiaries. The same goes for any changes to the estate plan during your lifetime.

Transparency includes ensuring everyone knows who has possession of the signed, legal, and final version of this vital estate planning document. Your executor or estate planning attorney may possess the will, but others should know where it is being kept.

Typically, a will must be filed with the county probate court within ten to thirty days of death.

Your estate plan also includes beneficiary designations on any bank accounts, investment accounts, and insurance policies. They could be mentioned in your will, but the beneficiary designation directs who receives these assets.

Assets with beneficiary designations don’t go through probate; instead, they go directly to the beneficiary. Review them annually and update them after any significant life events like birth, marriage, divorce, etc.

Estate planning is a highly personal and ongoing process. It is essential to seek guidance from experienced estate planning attorneys to ensure your estate plan reflects your wishes and confirms your state’s law concerning inheritance. Leave a legacy of love, not conflict.

Reference: The Motley Fool (Aug. 6, 2023) “Where There’s A Will, There’s a Way. How You Can Avoid Conflict When Divvying Up Your Estate”