Articles

Elder Care

Understanding Medicare’s Hospice Benefit

Medicare’s hospice benefit covers any care that is reasonable and necessary for easing the course of a terminal illness. It is one of Medicare’s most comprehensive benefits and can be extremely helpful to both the terminally ill individua… Read More
Categories: Elder Law
Rising Nursing Home Cost

Nursing Home Cost: Median for Private Rooms Hits Six Figures

The median private-room nursing home cost in the United States increased to $100,375 a year in 2018, up 3 percent from 2017, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care survey, which the insurer conducts annually. At the same time, Genworth reports th… Read More
Categories: Elder Law
Planning for Children with Special Needs

Planning for Children with Special Needs

Americans are living longer than they did in years past, including those with special needs or disabilities. According to one count, 730,000 people with developmental disabilities are living with caregivers who are 60 or older. This figure does not i… Read More
Categories: Special Needs Law
Client Login

McCreary Law Office Introduces its Secure Client Portal

Great news! McCreary Law Office now offers clients a secure client portal through which to send messages and documents. When you’re working on estate planning or elder law, it is essential that you communicate openly with your attorney. Using t… Read More
Categories: News
Keys to Hiring a Caregiver

Six Keys to Hiring a Home Caregiver

Most people prefer to be cared for in their home rather than a nursing home, but finding a home care provider for you or a loved one can be daunting. The following are some things to keep in mind when looking for a caregiver. 1. Consider level of car… Read More
Categories: Elder Law
Social Security Increase

Social Security Benefit Increase: Largest in Eight Years

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8 percent increase in benefits in 2019, the largest increase since 2012. Cost of living increases are tied to the consumer price index, and an upturn in inflation rates and gas prices means recipie… Read More
Categories: General News
Alternatives to Guardianship

Alternatives to Guardianship

Because guardianship involves a profound loss of freedom and dignity, state laws require that guardianship be imposed only when less restrictive alternatives have been tried and proven to be ineffective. ore importantly, and of the alternatives below… Read More
Categories: Guardianship
Guardianship Process

Guardianship Process

Picking up from last week in this three-part series, this post covers the guardianship process. Key points are the complexity involved (this involves the court system) and the ongoing reporting requirements. Remembering some basic points of guardians… Read More
Categories: Guardianship
Guardianship Basics

Basic Principles in Guardianship (a series)

This is the first post in a series about guardianship. Over the next couple of weeks, look for two follow-ups that will further explains what’s behind this area of law. Guardianship Basics Every adult is assumed to be capable of making his or h… Read More
Categories: Guardianship
529 Plans and Saving for College

Gifts to Grandchildren: 529 Accounts

This type of account, named for Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, enables you to reduce your taxable estate while earmarking funds for the higher education of a grandchild (or any other family member). Funds contributed to such accounts are i… Read More