Footwear and Foresight: The Common Ground Between Shoe Sales and Estate Planning

Footwear and Foresight: The Common Ground Between Shoe Sales and Estate Planning

by | Jan 6, 2021 | Blog, Elder Law, Estate Planning

Unless you are familiar with Tony Hsieh and his business approach, the connection between shoes and asset management might not seem obvious. Indeed, even if you do know a thing or two about the late former CEO of Zappos, you still might fail to see the connection. After all, what does your life’s work have to do with your footwear? Unless you have blown your savings into collector kicks, the truth is not much; however, if you are talking about the common ground between running a successful shoe enterprise and a successful estate and elder law firm, then the similarities are plenty. 

Tony, who passed away tragically in late November founded the internationally-recognized online shoe retailer Zappos and in so doing left a legacy that can be counted not only in dollar signs, but in the much richer currency of human happiness. This is because Zappos is an outlier in the world of online retail. The company runs on ten core values which all, in some form or other, exist to ensure customers, as well as employees, vendors, shareholders and the community all leave any interaction with Zappos feeling happy. These values are the following: 

  1. Deliver WOW Through Customer Service
  2. Embrace and Drive Change
  3. Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
  4. Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
  5. Pursue Growth and Learning
  6. Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
  7. Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
  8. Do More with Less
  9. Be Passionate and Determined
  10.  Be Humble 

Notably, nothing about shoes appears and there is not a single mention of profits. This is because, as the title of Tony’s book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose would indicate, happiness is profit, as well as so much more. 

The lesson to be learned from Zappos applies at least as much to estate and elder law as to online retail. After all, an estate plan is only successful if one, it provides peace of mind to the person for whom it is prepared and two, eases the burden upon their family when they pass. These outcomes, peace and ease, are cousins of happiness and the cornerstone of a successful practice. When they are lost from sight, so too is an estate and elder law firm’s raison d’être. 

Here at Miller Estate and Elder Law we take this to heart. Your happiness, as well as that of everyone involved in our operation, is fundamental. This is because when you leave our office, you do not leave with anything—not even a new pair of shoes—if you do not leave happy. Sure, we might secure your assets for future generations, ensure you have access to the care you need in old age, and help you in making the most of your life’s work (among many other services), but none of that is worth a great deal if you do not feel good doing it. Money and security mean little without well-being, after all.  

In sharing this reflection, our goal has been to offer some insight into our practice. If you are reading this and happen to be a current or former client, hopefully all that has been said rings true. Whether this be the case or not, it would mean a lot if you could drop us a review on Google and AVVO. Reviews, both positive and negative, help us do a better job of helping you but more than that, they help other folks out there find services that are invested not only in raking in profits, but in nurturing happiness and building connection. Thank you!

If you would like to know how we can help with your estate plan, contact us today.  You can also call 256-472-1900 to set up a consultation. 

 

 

What to Look for During Holiday Visits to Aging Parents

What to Look for During Holiday Visits to Aging Parents

by | Nov 5, 2020 | Aging Parents, Medicaid, Medicaid Planning, Nursing Home

The holidays are often called the most wonderful time of the year, especially for aging parents. For many families who live far apart, they are also a time when adult children and grandchildren travel to visit aging parents. Even if you are in regular contact by phone and email, it can be tough to recognize signs of aging that require further attention until you are with your loved ones in person. Do you know what to look for during holiday visits to aging parents?

Let us talk about some of the signs that it may be time to look into getting your aging parent some day to day assistance, or to begin exploring options for long-term care.

The first thing to look for in your aging parents is forgetfulness. Forgetfulness is often one of the first signs to watch for. It is normal for memory to change over time. If your parents, however, are forgetting routine and long-term information, such as their street address or how to get to the grocery store, this could be a sign of the onset of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

Decrease in socialization can also be a red flag in aging parents. If your normally active, social parent is spending a lot less time out of the house, this may be cause for concern, especially if he or she is now living alone after being widowed and is not getting social interaction without a spouse in the house. You can help by looking into local activities at a senior center, house of worship, or the library.

Driving issues are also things to watch for. Unfortunately, your parents probably taught you to drive, and you may be the person who has to take away their keys. If vision and spatial issues become too much and impair their ability to drive safely, it is probably time to sit down and talk to your parents about alternatives.

Additionally, be mindful of cleanliness. If your parents’ home has unexpected piles of junk mail and newspapers suddenly stacking up in the corners, it may be time to talk about getting them some help to organize and discard.  If there is a true cleanliness issue, however, with food not being disposed of properly or mold accumulation, it can also be a sign of dementia.

Our office remains committed to serving the elderly and their loved ones. For legal help and support concerning elder law issues, please reach out to us to schedule an appointment.

Can Filial Responsibility Laws Leave You On The Hook For Your Parents Nursing Home Bill?

Can Filial Responsibility Laws Leave You On The Hook For Your Parents Nursing Home Bill?

by | Oct 5, 2020 | Aging Parents, Blog, Nursing Home

While parents today may be generally informed that they could be liable for the debts of their children, they rarely consider whether they may actually find themselves on the hook for the debts of their parents. Did you know that over half of the United States have filial responsibility statutes on the books? This may come as a surprise to many people.

A filial responsibility law provides that an adult child has the responsibility to support his or her adult parent. The statutes vary between states. Arkansas requires only payment for mental health services and Connecticut only applies if the parent is under sixty-five. Meanwhile, a court in Pennsylvania entered a judgment of $93,000.00 against an adult son for his mother’s nursing home bill.

The positive news may be that, in most instances, these statutes are old laws that have not been repealed and are rarely enforced. Until they are removed from the books, however, the risk may be out there that these laws may be used as a collection tactic, as the gentleman in Pennsylvania discovered, much to his chagrin. Once one long-term care facility successfully utilizes the filial responsibility laws to collect from an adult child, it may only be a matter of time, until others follow suit.

The key takeaway here is to take a proactive, rather than a reactive, approach to filial responsibility laws. Having conversations with your parents regarding their finances, as well as, plans to cover the cost of a nursing home before the need arises, can be very important. If they have a long-term care policy, get a copy. It may also be prudent to be designated as their durable power of attorney to manage their finances should they become unexpectedly incapacitated.

An estate planning attorney can explain the filial responsibility laws in your state to you and your parents. In addition, the attorney can discuss options to safeguard against liability under these laws, such as Medicaid eligibility, long-term care insurance, life-insurance policies with long-term-care benefits or even the possibility of a reverse mortgage on your parent’s home. For more questions on this topic and related matters, please reach out to our office to schedule an appointment.

Don’t Wait to Wonder, “Do I Qualify for Medicaid?”

Don’t Wait to Wonder, “Do I Qualify for Medicaid?”

by | Sep 14, 2020 | Blog, Medicaid, Medicaid Planning, Medicaid Qualification

do i qualify for medicaid

Medical emergencies can strike without warning. Martin’s family learned that when he suffered a major stroke and landed in the emergency room. He needed skilled, 24/7 nursing care. Unfortunately, he had never done any Medicaid planning or even wondered, “Do I qualify for Medicaid.” His family had to scramble to find ways to pay for his care until his Medicaid application was processed. Don’t be like Martin. As you consider whether you might qualify for Medicaid for the Elderly & Disabled or Institutional Medicaid, think about the following questions.

Do I have a physical or mental condition that meets Medicaid requirements?

To receive Medicaid for Institutional Care, you must be in the hospital, a nursing home, or an ICF-IID facility. Medicaid usually needs to see a doctor’s diagnosis for this type of care for it to be covered.

To receive Home and Community-Based Waivers, you must be “elderly, disabled, homebound, mentally disabled, or have certain medical diagnoses…”

As Medicaid caseworkers review your application, they will review your medical records to make sure you meet the medical requirements for the appropriate program.

Do I meet residency requirements?

Since Medicaid is a joint federal-state program, each state has some flexibility in how it manages its own Medicaid program.

To receive Alabama Medicaid benefits, you must be a resident of Alabama. Also, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.

Do you meet Medicaid’s income and resource limits?

These limits vary from program to program. However, the income and resource limits for E&D and Institutional Care are:

• Income limit: $2,030 per month
• Resource limit: $2,000 as of the first day of each month.

There are special rules for married individuals. When deciding whether you qualify for Medicaid or not, talk to an experienced Alabama Medicaid lawyer to make sure.

Answer the Question, “Do I Qualify for Medicaid?”

Discuss your circumstances with an experienced Alabama Medicaid lawyer.

Contact us at 256-472-1900 for a free consultation. The attorneys at Miller Estate and Elder Law know how to help you with Medicaid planning and with estate recovery concerns. Miller Estate and Elder Law is located at 818 Leighton Avenue in Anniston, but we serve clients in Gadsden, Hoover, Talladega, Vestavia Hills, and surrounding areas.

Also, receive a free download of Medicaid Planning in Alabama: What You Need to Know by completing the brief form below:


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bill@millerestateandelderlaw.com

Three Signs It May be Time to Move into an Assisted Living Facility

Three Signs It May be Time to Move into an Assisted Living Facility

by | Sep 7, 2020 | Blog

Did you know that, at last count, there were nearly 29,000 assisted living facilities in the United States? Collectively, these facilities accommodate more than 996,000 licensed beds. This means there are plenty of options for older adults who can no longer live on their own, but do not yet need a nursing home. Even so, convincing an older loved one it is time to make the move may be easier said than done. Here, let us discuss three signs that time is at hand. 

1. Your loved one needs more help doing certain things than he or she did before. One of the most obvious signs that it may be time for an older loved one to transition into assisted living can be if he or she is having difficulty doing certain things. Consider helping an older adult make this transition if he or she needs a lot of help with: 

  • Shopping (for groceries and other necessities)
  • Household chores 
  • Making meals
  • Personal hygiene
  • Managing finances

2. There are significant behavioral changes that put the older adult at risk. A noticeable change in behavior can be another indication that it may be time for an older adult to move into an assisted living facility. This may be especially true if the new behavior potentially or actually puts the senior or caregiver at risk. These changes may occur gradually or suddenly, or as the result of certain medical conditions or because of a general cognitive decline as someone ages. Examples may include, but are not limited to, increased aggressiveness, forgetfulness, or the tendency to wander. 

3. You can no longer cope physically, emotionally, or financially. If you are an adult child and/or family caregiver, you clearly have a vested interest in helping your loved one maintain their independence as long as possible. Even so, there may come a time when you can no longer cope. You may have difficulty coping financially, emotionally, or physically. If looking after an older adult becomes too much, it may be time to think about having him or her move into an assisted living facility. 

This all being stated, no two sets of circumstances are exactly the same. The decision to move into an assisted living facility may be difficult, or an older adult may embrace the opportunity. In any case, it can be important to consult an experienced elder law attorney. He or she can help the senior and his or her family understand and plan for this transition. As always, you can turn to us with any questions or concerns.  Just call our law office to arrange an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.