We regularly post links to news articles and other resources that related to Elder Law and Special Needs Law. We focus on general news, health and healthcare news, special needs news, events, government sources, financial and retirement news and legal news. Some cited resources are for professionals, but most are news or other helpful articles […]
We regularly post links to news articles and other resources that might be of interest to our viewers. We focus on general news, health and healthcare news, special needs news, events, government sources, financial and retirement news and legal news. Only headlines are listed so you can use this page like a newspaper, reading only […]
In a recent case (Dep’t of Tenncare 4/20/2022), Appellant’s application for nursing home Medicaid was denied due to ownership of a life insurance policy with a cash value of $2,184.66. She had been under a limited conservatorship since June 2, 2021. The Medicaid application was filed on July 21, 2021. Neither Appellant nor the limited […]
In McAlister v. Clifton (Ga. 4/19/2022), the Georgia Supreme Court heard a case challenging the equitable caregiver statute, O.C.G.A. § 19-7-3.1. There, the trial court awarded Wendi Clifton, McAlister’s domestic partner, visitation rights to McAlister’s adopted daughter, Catherine. McAlister contended the equitable caregiver statute was unconstitutional facially and as applied to Clifton. McAlister also appealed […]
In Weeks v. DHS, Division of Family and Children Services, Office of State Administrative Hearings, Docket 2117014 (April 28, 2021), Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation – Canton, purportedly filed a direct appeal on behalf of Marilu Weeks after her Medicaid application was denied. Judge Teate, in Docket No. 2115533, directed Brian Center to provide evidence […]
The following bills are among those that passed both houses of the Georgia legislature during the 2022 legislative session. Assuming they are signed by the governor, they will either be effective on the date signed or on July 1, 2022, depending on the text of each bill. SB 539 makes it unlawful under O.C.G.A. § […]
In Estate of Bane (Tenn. Ct. App. 3/23/2022), Martha Bane gave her son, John Bane, a power of attorney with “full power and authority to do and perform all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done . . . as I might or could do if acting personally.” She also executed a […]
In Bethune v. Bethune (Georgia Court of Appeals A21A1659, March 11, 2022), Donald Bethune was acting as agent for his 89-year-old mother under a power of attorney executed on November 14, 2019. Richard Bethune, Donald’s brother, filed an action seeking relief under the Georgia Power of Attorney Act, O.C.G.A. § 10-6B-1 et seq. On appeal, […]
On March 15, 2022, the Georgia Court of Appeals decided Willis v. Cheeley, 363 Ga. App. 341 (2022). There, a contested probate proceeding boiled over into the Superior Court of Gwinnett County where Appellee Joseph E. Cheeley III secured a declaratory judgment against Appellant William Joseph Willis. The Court of Appeals held the declaratory judgment […]
In Department of Human Services v. Hobart, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled, on March 2, 2022, that Oregon’s Medicaid agency could pull a Medicaid recipient’s interest in a marital home back into her estate for purposes of estate recovery. The federal Medicaid law requires States to pursue estate recovery, but some States are more […]
We regularly post links to news articles and other resources that might be of interest to our viewers. We focus on general news, health and healthcare news, special needs news, events, government sources, financial and retirement news and legal news. Only headlines are listed so you can use this page like a newspaper, reading only […]
Every person has a constitutional right to represent himself or herself. However, the right to represent someone else is regulated. Each State regulates the practice of law differently. In Georgia, the practice of law is defined as: (1) Representing litigants in court and preparing pleadings and other papers incident to any action or special proceedings […]
In Walker v. Richmond (Ga. Ct. App. 3/1/2022), a Tennessee probate case crossed into Georgia in the context of a declaratory judgment action, a default judgment and a motion to set aside the default. Alfonso Patton, a Tennessee resident, was under a Tennessee conservatorship. After Patton died in 2013, his only biological child, Patricia Richmond, […]
In Welch v. Oaktree Health and Rehabilitation Center (2/28/2022), the Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed a trial court’s determination that an arbitration agreement could not be enforced. David Welch was a nursing home resident. Prioer to his death, he executed a power of attorney for health care, designating his brother, James Welch, as his health […]
On February 24, 2022, the Georgia Court of Appeals decided In re Estate of Plybon (Appeal No. A21A1740, 2/24/2022). There, executrix Dorothy Johnson appealed from a Douglas County Probate Court order which construed the meaning of a 2013 Superior Court consent order in the context of a Petition for accounting and Final Settlement of Accounts. […]
February is American Heart Month! Read President Biden’s Proclamation on American Healrth Month 2022 We regularly post links to news articles and other resources we believe might be of interest to our viewers. We focus on general news, health and healthcare news, special needs news, events, government sources, financial and retirement news and legal news. […]
On February 11, 2022, the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed Julia Bell’s conviction for elder exploitation. She was originally indicted 7 counts of elder exploitation; a jury found her guilty of four counts and not guilty of three counts. She appealed her conviction on the remaining accounts alleging, among other claims, that insufficient evidence supported […]
February 18th is National Caregiver’s Day! General News Sources: Will Social Security run out of money? Here’s what could happen to your benefits if Congress doesn’t act Georgia AG Carr Warns Georgians to Beware of Romance Scams | FBI Warning North Macedonia President Walks Girl With Down’s Syndrome To School After She Was Bullied What […]
In In re Estate of Curvan, 362 Ga. App. 665 (2022), Sharon Lavant offered a July 31, 2019 Will of Randolph Curvan for probate. Cheryl Curvan, Charmaine Curvan and Randolph Curvan filed a caveat. Among their complaints, they alleged the Will was not the valid last will of Decedent, that the signatures on the Will […]
In The Matter of Jerry Boykin (Ga. S22Y0563 2/15/2022), attorney Jerry Bokin had been on disability status since 2018 and was not actively practicing. Nonetheless, in 2020, he filed a petition to probate a Will. After learning that a subsequent Will was filed appointing co-executors, Boykin tried to talk one of the co-executors into renouncing […]
NOTE: If you have a Georgia corporation or limited liability company, your annual return is due by April 1, 2022. General News Sources: Dog Aging Project is looking for more participants National Black (African American) History Month: February 2022 (Census) Tricare coverage and Medicare explained Growing elder populations require more services, awareness NAIC Comments on […]
(Current as of January 25, 2022) Attorneys are certified as Certified Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. NELF lists the criteria for being certified on its website at the following link: Qualifications Summary. The following Florida attorneys have been certified by NELF: Vicki Joiner Bowers Bowers and Associates, PA 6789 Southpoint Pkwy, Ste 300 […]
In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984). Chevron concerned an EPA environmental regulation. The amended Clean Air Act required these “nonattainment” States to establish a permit program regulating “new or modified major stationary sources” of air pollution. Generally, a permit may not be issued […]
General News Sources: Oldest person in the US reportedly dies at 115 Supreme Court declines to hear case of Delphi retirees over lost pensions Big pensions are nearly 100% funded, the healthiest they’ve been since 2008 financial crisis Pre-tax vs. Roth 401(k): There’s more to consider than you think Widow’s dilemma: When to claim Social […]
O.C.G.A. § 53-3-5 allows a surviving spouse or minor child to file a claim for Year’s Support. Although there are rarely objections, if someone contests the Petition, then the Petitioner must prove entitlement. Georgia appellate courts state the “intent [of year’s support] is to protect the family survivors from a reduction in their standard of […]
In In re Estate of Butler, 356 Ga. App. 287 (2020), Anita Butler filed a petition to probate her father’s Will. Other family members filed an objection and caveat. Ultimately the case was settled with Butler agreeing to offer her late father’s will in Vermont in order to transfer a parcel of real estate located […]
Appeal Route From Article 6 Probate Court In Spence v. Dep’t of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, 359 Ga. App. 603 (2021), Jermaine Spense was involuntarily committed as a hospital inpatient. Spence sought review after the Department sought an order of continued hospitalization of Spence pursuant to OCGA § 37-3-83. On April 18, 2019, the […]
In In re Estate of Jenkins, 358 Ga. App. 254 (2021), the ward (Shaun Jenkins) sustained profound injuries as an infant due to malpractice. Jenkins received a settlement giving him annual income of $337,000 (or about $28,000 per month). The probate court limited the Conservator’s spending to $17,000. In 2019, the Conservator purchased a disabled-accessible […]
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection issued a new debt collection rule effective November 30, 2021. The final rule revises Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (12 CFR Part 1006). The new rule requires a validation notice which must include information like: Name and mailing information of the debt collector Name […]
General Sources: Autism Society’s Capital Connection 12-16-2021 (reviewing Build Back Better Act) National Health Care Spending in 2020: Growth Driven by Federal Spending in Response to Covid-19 (Health Affairs) House Advances Build Back Better Act (Health Affairs) Indirect Gift Tax Considerations for 2021 (The Tax Advisor) Smart moves to make with your retirement portfolio before […]
A new Medicaid lien case is pending in the U.S. Supreme Court. The question presented is “[w]hether the federal Medicaid Act provides for a state Medicaid program to recover reimbursement for Medicaid’s payment of a beneficiary’s past medical expenses by taking funds from the portion of the beneficiary’s tort recovery that compensates for future medical […]
The worksheet below is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. It requires an understanding of the Medicaid budgeting process in the State where the applicant is applying for Medicaid. However, if the user knows how that process works, then this worksheet is designed to provide a “quick and dirty” estimate of the patient […]
Attorneys are certified as Certified Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. NELF lists the criteria for being certified on its website at the following link: Qualifications Summary. The following Tennessee attorneys have been certified by NELF. Amelia G. Crotwell 903 N Hall Of Fame Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37917-6748 (865) 951-2541 Website Henry D. Fincher […]
Gifting is usually a last resort when creating a Medicaid Plan. The reason is gifts trigger a transfer of resources penalty. The Medicaid Transfer Penalty Worksheet can be used to calculate the penalty, but an additional worksheet is helpful when calculating the amount of income a Medicaid applicant must generate to private pay through the […]
News Sources: Elder Law Attorney Daniel Tully has 9 questions you should ask before you or a loved one goes into a nursing home Elder Law Attorney Janet Colliton answers “Where is home when you have more than one?” Social Security proposal would raise revenue and temporarily enhance benefits Nursing homes can now lift most […]
Federal regulations require Medicaid agencies to afford individuals the opportunity to apply for Medicaid without delay. 42 CFR § 435.906. An application may be filed on the internet, by telephone, by mail, in person and through other commonly used electronic means. 42 CFR § 435.907. All applications must be signed under penalty of perjury. 42 […]
The form below was developed by the Georgia Department of Community Health and is based on Section 2342-11 of the Georgia ABD Medicaid Manual:
EZ Elder Law is intended to provide helpful/useful information for (1) older adults, (2) individuals with special needs, (3) caregivers and (4) the professionals who work with them. With that in mind, if you are a Certified Elder Law Attorney, NAELA Fellow, member of NAELA’s Council of Advanced Practitioners, ACTEC Fellow, Super Lawyer, AV Rated […]
The spreadsheet included below can be used to help total your countable and exempt resources when evaluating your eligibility for public benefits like Medicaid.
A nursing home resident’s room is considered the resident’s home. That’s why people in nursing home are called “residents” instead of patients. In a nursing home, the resident controls, among other things, when visitors can come and who can visit. Generally, it’s legal to film or record in your own home without the consent of […]
(Last updated 8/8/2023) The central and initial issue in every guardianship and conservatorship case is whether the proposed ward has decision-making capacity. In other words, can the proposed ward make and communicate significant decisions about himself (or herself) and can the proposed ward make and communicate significant decisions about his (or her) finances? For purposes […]
In CL SNF, LLC v. Fountain (Ga. Supreme Court September 21, 2021), the Georgia Supreme Court reversed CL SNF, LLC v. Fountain, 355 Ga. App. 176, 183 (1) (843 SE2d 605) (2020), finding that the Georgia Guardianship Code grants a guardian authority to enter into a binding pre-dispute arbitration agreement. The Clinch County Probate Court […]
News Sources: Covid-induced life changes leave millions of Americans worried about money IRS Continues Focus on Cryptoassets Georgia Attorney General Recognizes National Cyber Security Awareness Month Georgia Attorney General Supports Congressional Hearings Addressing Youth Social Media Use Dental coverage for Medicare recipients divides parties Federal auto-IRA program would be a big step forward in expanding […]
Personal Services Contract rejected. Petitioner was admitted to a nursing home in October 2008, where she continued to stay. At the time, she had $36,332 in resources. Petitioner entered into a contract with Ms. Hailey to provide personal care services at the nursing home for life for $23,000. Her life expectancy was 10 more years. […]
Determining Which Property is the Exempt Homeplace; Whether Jointly Owned Second Property was Exempt. Petitioner lived at her residence in DeKalb County from 1960 until 2002 when she moved to her daughter’s home on Klondike Road in DeKalb County. From there, Petitioner went to an assisted living facility and then, in December 2006, a nursing […]
Outline of Georgia Guardianship and Conservatorship Process and Timeline Process Begins When Petition is filed O.C.G.A. § 29-4-10(a). Any interested person, including the proposed ward, may file a petition for the appointment of a guardian. Such petition shall be filed in the court of the county in which: (1) The proposed ward is domiciled; (2) […]
In M.K. v. Division of Medical Assistance, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division (2016), the Division imposed a period of ineligibility for benefits because she transferred ownership of her home to her daughter, J.K., for less than fair-market value within sixty months of entering a nursing home facility (the look-back period). The applicant argued […]
An applicant filed three Medicaid applications from February 7 through November 26, and all of them were denied for failure to submit necessary financial verification. A fair hearing was conducted on November 26, 2018 where the ALJ gave the applicant additional time to supply verification. Once that verification was supplied, on May 14, 2019, the […]
In a Memorandum decision, the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, held that a nursing home may bring a plenary action in its own right against the agency designated to declare Medicaid eligibility. A transfer of resources penalty of 11.74 months had been imposed and the nursing home sought a declaratory judgment […]
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