March 3 is Caregiver Appreciation Day, which is a specific day to express your appreciation to those who care for someone who is ill, disabled, or elderly. As noted on Holiday Insights, caregivers, who are often family members, “give their time…
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Happy Texas Independence Day. In estate planning, one’s legacy is often thought of as the value of land or money that is left to your heirs. But Merriam-Webser also defines legacy as “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Houston Estate Planning Attorney Jana R. McCreary has been an attorney for over twenty years, a career move she made after working for over a decade with adults and children with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Graduating summa cum laud… Read More