Unlike Medicare, which is fully regulated by the federal government, Medicaid is a joint program of both fed­eral and state governments. The federal government sets guidelines, and states establish their own rules and programs within these broad parameters. Do you know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Although you may feel you need a PhD. […]

To find the Most Affordable cities, we started with America’s 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs), all with populations of 600,000 or more. When making purchases, more than likely you want to get the biggest bang for your buck. Everyone likes a good deal! So when deciding where to live and […]

There are various reasons why our elders are such easy prey for these thieves. People taking advantage of other people is just an ugly reality of the world we live in. Some of the worst offenders are those who dupe the elderly. Seniors can be easily confused and too trustworthy at times, which makes them […]

When is the right time to create an elder law estate plan? Even though you may not want to be troubled with serious issues such as death, disability, and long-term care, you are better off to start planning now before it’s too late. This was the advice in a recent article in the Times-Herald Record […]

Effective January 1, 2014, the unified federal gift and estate tax exemption was increased to $5.34 million dollars. What this change means is that an individual can now give up to $5.34 million during their lifetime, or pass away with an estate valued up to $5.34 million dollars, without paying any Federal gift or estate […]

Different plans, tools, and strategies might be needed for people with other life stories. The U.S. has a divorce rate of more than 50%, and many divorcees end up moving on and remarrying. So it is no surprise that there are more blended families today than ever before. This was the subject of a recent […]

There are several charitable giving strategies that help donors generate income from their gifts. Each is appropriate in different situations. Giving to charity is a very satisfying act, with the giver fulfilling the needs of a charity and experiencing the joys of goodwill in the process. What a great feeling! And what’s more, there are […]

If you are a veteran, a veteran’s surviving spouse or a veteran’s surviving dependent in need of additional income, the Non-Service Connection Pension offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs may be just for you. Are you a surviving spouse or a dependent of a veteran, or even a veteran yourself? If you could use some extra […]

Estate planning is not just for the rich. “I’ll get to it eventually.” Have you ever said this regarding your estate and financial plans? Unfortunately, far too many never get around to it. I guess you could say this sums up estate planning in a nutshell: if you fail to plan ahead and protect your […]

Future generations of homeowners should remember the frustrations and family struggles that were caused by the housing bubble being burst and exercise sounder judgment when it comes to buying their next home. Were you planning on using your home to fund your retirement? That strategy may not be as sound as it may have been […]