PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENTS AND SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS: SETTING CLIENT EXPECTATIONS
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., Esquire, CELA If a client receiving a personal injury settlement also receives certain public benefits such as SSI and many forms of Medicaid, a Special Needs Trust is required to preserve those benefits. Special Needs Trusts entail restrictions and a small minority of clients would rather give up their…
PLANNING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PART 5
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA General This is the final part of a five-part series dealing with planning for individuals with special needs. Part 1 discussed the reasons to plan. Part 2 discussed the use of Self-Settled Special Needs Trusts (SSSNTs). Part 3 discussed Third Party Special Needs Trusts (TPSNT). Part 4 discussed Pooled…
PLANNING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PART 4
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA General This is the fourth part of a five-part series dealing with planning for individuals with special needs. Part 1 discussed the reasons to establish a trust. Part 2 discussed Self-Settled Special Needs Trusts (SSSNTs). Part 3 discussed Third Party Special Needs Trusts (TPSNT). This article will focus on…
2019 COLA INCREASES FOR MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, TAX AND VETERANS
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., Esquire, CELA There are a great many public benefit numbers and tax numbers that are adjusted on an annual basis. This article is designed to make those numbers readily available. The following are current numbers for 2019. Medicaid Income Cap[1] $2,313 Maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA)[2] $126,420 Minimum CSRA[3] $25,284…