12201 Merit Drive Suite 230 Dallas, TX 75251 | (214) 720-0102 Fax: (214) 754-0936 | www.dallaselderlawyer.com

Welcome to the November issue of the

Texas Elder Law E-letter


Happy Holidays!

We Wish all a healthy and happy 2018


Our next free “Estate Planning Essentials” workshop will be on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., you should call (214) 720-0102 or sign up on online at www.dallaselderlawyer.com as soon as possible as generally such free workshops are “sold out”. We simply ask you what do you want to know?

Also, we are offering a "end of the year" special offer to our existing estate planning clients who are not enrolled in our maintenance program for as little as $60 per month (depending on your planning). If interested in what this covers (including discussion of changes in the law and its impact on your plan), simply call us at (214) 720-0102.

Also, don't forget to listen to Michael B. Cohen's radio show on KAAM 770 AM every Monday at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (some exceptions for SMU basketball).

 
HOMESTEAD EQUITY LIMIT INCREASED TO $572,000

As of January 1, 2018, the equity limit for a homestead applicant (who is single) for the nursing home and “waiver” home care Medicaid program has increased

Read More

VETERANS BENEFITS INCREASE ANNOUNCED

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced its 2018 rate increases for certain wartime military veterans not dishonorably discharged or their surviving spouses to help pay for care costs ranging from being housebound to long-term care costs. Ho

Read More
2018 PROTECTED RESOURCE AMOUNT INCREASE - GOVERNMENT HELPS PAY NURSING HOME COST

The 2018 Protected Resource Amount (“PRA”) dollar figures were recently released which are used to determine how much can be protected when one spouse is in a nursing home and applies for Medicaid (which may pay all or a part of long-term care costs) and

Read More
NURSING HOME MEDICAID INCOME CAP TO RISE

As many of you know, Texas is

Read More
Medicare's Part B Premium Will Be Unchanged in 2018, But Many Will Pay More. Got That?

The announcement of the 2018 Medicare premium is good news for some beneficiaries and bad news for many others. 

More
Three Reasons Why Giving Your House to Your Children Isn't the Best Way to Protect It From Medicaid

You may be afraid of losing your home if you have to enter a nursing home and apply for Medicaid. While this fear is well-founded, transferring the home to your children is usually not the best way to protect it.

Details
You Can Give Away More Tax Free in 2018

After staying the same for five years, the amount you can give away to any one individual in a particular year without reporting the gift will increase in 2018. Very few taxpayers will have to pay a gift tax in any case.

Read On
Medicare Launches Hospice Compare Website

Patients looking for hospice care can now get help from Medicare’s website. The agency’s new Hospice Compare site allows patients to evaluate hospice providers according to several criteria.

Full Story