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The Ambiguities of a Living Will
I often review existing estate planning documents and in doing so, find that most estate plans consist of a living will and health care...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


HUD Makes Reverse Mortgages a Little Less Attractive
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced changes to the federal reverse mortgage program. Citing the need to...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
What is the difference between the look-back period and the penalty period for Medicaid purposes?
Often confused, the look-back period and the penalty period are two distinct concepts in Medicaid planning. It is important to...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


Be Aware of the Kiddie Tax Before Leaving an IRA to Children
Grandparents may be tempted to leave an IRA to a grandchild because children have a low tax rate, but the “kiddie tax” could make doing...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


You Can Pay Your Medicare Premiums Online
Online bill paying has become a popular way to make paying bills easier, and now you can pay your Medicare premiums online too. If your...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


Why You Should Use a Lawyer for Medicaid Planning
Many seniors and their families don't use a lawyer to plan for long-term care or Medicaid, often because they're afraid of the cost. But...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
What happens if I set up a Medicaid Trust and go into a nursing home within five years?
Unfortunately, we cannot control if and when we may fall ill but we can be proactive to protect our financial assets by planning early....

Salvatore Di Costanzo
What is the difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust?
It is worth noting at the outset that there are many types of irrevocable trusts. I think it is safe to assume that when you reference...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


When Does My Child Need a Guardian?
A guardian is an individual (or sometimes an entity) appointed by the Court to handle the personal and/or financial affairs of a minor...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


The Federal & New York Estate Tax: Things to Look Out for Before Making Gifts
For 2017, the federal lifetime estate and gift tax exemption have increased to $5,490,000. This means that you can gift this amount over...

Salvatore Di Costanzo


The Beneficiary-Controlled Trust: Leaving Assets to Your Children the Proper Way
Leaving assets to your children gives rise to many considerations. For instance, if the child is a minor, you do not want assets passing...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
Medicaid Planning in Advance of Changes to the Healthcare System
With Congress about to break for a two week Spring recess, the repeal of Obamacare appears to have stalled and remains uncertain....

Salvatore Di Costanzo
My Friend Is An Attorney
This is a real fact pattern. I recently met with a family whose 86 year old Mother was admitted to a nursing home for dementia. They...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
New Law Favors Individuals with Disabilities and Special Needs
An integral part of our practice involves planning with the assets of individuals who are disabled or have special needs. These...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
Why It is Inadvisable to Transfer Your House to Your Children
At some point, most people experience that enlightening moment when they realize there is a risk of losing their assets if they fall ill...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
Medicaid Planning: The Difference Between the Look-Back Period and the Penalty Period
The look-back period is very different from the penalty period and as always the rules are different depending on whether you are seeking...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
The Intersection of IRAs and Long-Term Care
Second to the house, an individual retirement account (“IRA”) is usually the largest asset when looking into someone’s financial...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
Medicaid Planning - When is a Gift not a Gift?
If you are reading this article, it is likely that at some point in your lifetime you may have worked through the placement of a loved...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
Your Revocable Living Trust - Do You Know What It Says?
Estate planning documents need to be regularly reviewed. I often tell clients to review their estate plan every three to five years or...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
Lifting The Burden of Elder Care
If there is one unavoidable consequence of life and relationships, it is that our loved ones may fall ill at some point, whether it be a...

Salvatore Di Costanzo
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