Finding the Law

After a policy holder dies, it is important to contact insurance companies to see whether a claim should be paid. Types of claims can include: Life insurance payout Refund of unused premiums Indemnities Typically assets with a beneficiary designation are not probate assets and should be paid to the person named as beneficiary. In some […]

In Jones v. Life Care Centers of America (Tenn .Ct. Appeals 2023), a cognitively impaired resident was assisted in the shower by staff. While doing so, the employee took a call from her incarcerated boyfriend which showed the resident’s nude body. The assisted living facility moved for summary judgment after alleging the resident showed no […]

In Estate of Hargett v. Brown (Tenn. App. 6/9/2023), the Decedent, Willie Hargett, had separated from his wife, Robbie Hargett. Despite the separation, there was no divorce. After the separation, Mr. Brown entered into a relationship with Charlotte Brown. The Decedent had legal documents prepared after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He sought to […]

There are several steps in setting up a tax exempt organization. We’re reviewing them here. However, this post is not designed to tell you anything other than the set-up process and it is not intended to be tax advice. CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To comply with the requirements imposed by the United States Treasury Department, any […]

Ideally, health care providers do the right thing. Good Care is provided. There is no negligence. But what if they don’t do the right thing? What if they are negligent? Should you have the right to consider your options regarding how to hold them accountable? Over the past two decades, many long-term care providers, especially […]

In PR v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (NJ. App. Div. 6/8/2023), the State was authorized to recover Medicaid benefits incorrectly paid. It was not, however, authorized to play fast and loose by withdrawing a waiver of a portion of its claim as part of the Commissioner’s review. Peter and Uma, an unmarried […]

The collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) rule is part of the finality doctrine along with Res Judicata (claim preclusion). It general prevents a party from re-litigating the same issue in a second court. In other words, you don’t get a second bite at the apple in another court simply because you were dissatisfied with the result […]

On June 12, 2023, the Tennessee Court of Appeals (Knoxville) upheld a settlement agreement requiring the recipient of funds in an investment account to pay his share of capital gains taxes. The case, In re Hunt, E2022-00649-COA-R3-CV, arose during the probate of Dr. Robert McPhail Hunt, Jr.’s estate. Hunt purportedly married Zulkifli Atim in Canada […]

In Milbourne v. Milbourne, 301 Ga. 111 (2017), The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a Gwinnett Probate Court Order refusing to grant summary judgment on the issue of undue influence. Milbourne concerned a Will, allegedly procured through the undue influence of the Will-maker’s sister. The Will-maker was Edison Jamal Milbourne. He suffered a work related brain […]

Last year we reported that Talevski v. Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County (HHC) was headed to the Supreme Court. On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion, affirming the Seventh Circuit, and held that the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (FNHRA) is enforceable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Justice Jackson […]