Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
Explore articles, guides, and practical advice on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, probate, Veterans benefits, and long-term care. Our goal is to help Alabama families make informed decisions and protect what matters most.
Non-Disclosure Agreements: Extra Protection for Your Confidential Information
Darrell K. owned a company that manufactured products for outdoor hobbies. As his business grew, he expanded his product line. In the coming year, he plans to hire a marketing director, a new business manager, and several scientists to research and test new product...
Add an Ethical Will to Your Estate Plan
As we pass through life, we make memories, build families, and learn life lessons. Some memories may bring a smile to your lips and a tear to your eyes. Even if you’ve been entertaining and instructing family for years, it’s still time to consider writing an ethical...
Do You Need This Powerful Estate Planning Tool in Your Estate Plan?
People really get a lot done with power tools. Sometimes we all just need little extra oomph. It’s like that in estate planning. Some people need a powerful estate planning tool – a trust. Do you need one in your estate plan? Trusts 101 A trust is a legal entity...
3 Ways to Avoid Probate
For many people, probate is not the best solution for settling an estate. Probate proceedings can be long, expensive, and frustrating for the heirs and the executor. Fortunately, there are perfectly legal ways to avoid probate. Probate Explained After someone dies,...
Estate Planning and the ER
Two patients arrived at the local hospital’s emergency room one night. Both had suffered strokes that left them unable to communicate. One family showed up with estate planning documents. The other did not. Is it ever possible to draw up estate plans in the ER?...
When There’s No Will: Alabama Intestacy Law
Sometimes people die without leaving a valid Will. This is referred to as being “intestate.” In fact, only about 40% of Americans have bothered to write the most important document they’ll ever write – their Last Will and Testament. However, just about every adult has...
Springing Power of Attorney vs. Durable Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a powerful legal document. The principal, the person signing the document, names an agent to act on his or her behalf if necessary. There are different types of power of attorney forms with different purposes. Powers or attorney also cover...
Protecting Your Estate from Medicaid Recovery
Many people have never heard of Medicaid Estate Recovery. Medicaid recipients may not realize that benefits received for long-term care may have to be repaid. After certain recipients pass away, Medicaid may attempt to recovery some or all of the funds paid for their...
Medicaid Home and Community Based Waivers
Elderly people often want to remain in their homes as long as practical. But their caregivers and loved ones face some tough decisions. How can they keep Grandma Ruth safe while respecting her rights? Sometimes, Medicaid home and community-based waivers provide the...
Is a Special Needs Trust Right for You?
As the caregiver of someone with special needs, you’re called upon to make important decisions on a daily basis. Those decisions may be life-changing for you and for your loved one. Often, therapists, medical specialists, and other advisers help plan the best care for...
About the Attorney
Bill Miller is the founder of Miller Estate & Elder Law and focuses his practice on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, Veterans benefits, and long-term care planning. A Calhoun County native, Bill is a VA-accredited attorney, a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and a past president of the Calhoun County Bar Association. He is passionate about helping Alabama families protect their loved ones, their assets, and their legacy.
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Featured Articles
Nursing Home Medicaid Qualifications
In this episode, attorney Bill Miller breaks down the topic of nursing home Medicaid. He touches on the qualifications for Medicaid and addresses common misconceptions about nursing homes and Medicaid. He also highlights problems people encounter when applying for Medicaid, including the income and asset limitations that need to be considered.
My Mom Has Dementia… Can She Sign Legal Documents?
Understanding a loved one’s wishes when they begin to suffer from the symptoms of dementia can be a difficult process, which is why it’s best to ensure that all of their documents are in place while they are still well.
Protecting Assets from the Costs of a Nursing Home Stay
In this episode, Bill Miller discusses asset protection planning in the context of long-term care and nursing home costs. Learn from personal experiences of families who didn’t have a plan in place and lost everything, as well as families who successfully protected their assets. Explore the different ways to pay for long-term care, including out-of-pocket, long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Bill delves into the asset and income limits for Medicaid qualification and the concept of spend down. He touches on the use of life estate deeds and irrevocable trusts for asset protection. Lastly, Bill emphasizes the importance of planning in advance and the five-year look-back period for Medicaid eligibility.
Start Planning for Your Family’s Future Today
Without a clear estate plan, your family could face unnecessary stress, legal complications, and financial risk. We can help you create a plan that protects your loved ones and your legacy.
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