Due to the massive changes in the law, I am making substantial changes, please check back often. The changes are especially critical in Bankruptcy, Medicaid and Medicare.
I have additional information at each underlined heading, just click on it to enter the article.
Elder Law:
I help people like you take care of their loved ones and protect assets whenever legally possible. The information below is meant as general information and not as legal advice. Some typical questions my clients might face include:
- Are you facing the need for nursing home care?
- Do you have critical medical decisions which a loved one may need to help make for you?
- Do you have questions about how you can pay for nursing home care and still provide for your spouse?
- Do you have children or other family members who need help when you can no longer help them?
- Do you have a family member who can no longer make decisions?
When a terminal or life-threatening illness or injury strikes life can seem to turn upside down. You have so many decisions to make. Decisions about medical care, how to pay for medical care, even the normal day to day decisions can become harder. There are many resources available when you know where to look.
I help you plan for and deal with disability, financial crisis or death through the use of estate planning tools such as Medicaid planning and applications, wills, trusts, powers of attorney and assistance in court when needed. My practice is limited to Federal and Texas Law and courts.
The Information provided below is meant to be general in nature, not as advice for the exact circumstances you may face.
Medicaid Planning and Application:
The law regarding eligibility is just as complex as any tax law and for most people just as confusing. The law in this area is constantly changing. Advice given in a previous month can sometimes prove wrong or dangerous because of changes in the law or how it is applied by the Department of Human Services or other governmental agencies. If you are planning for the future understand the current rules may and probably will change. What follows are general descriptions of what can be done, individual situations can vary greatly.
Many of the legal terms found in this webpage have definitions on my related webpage with additional information at: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/attorney/kennedy.html
- Eligibility Standards for Medicaid: Persons Over Age 65
- Setting Aside Assets To Support A Spouse Of A Nursing Home Patient
- Medicaid Process and Setting Aside Assets To Support A Spouse Of A Nursing Home Patient
- Health Care and Pain Management
Estate Planning:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Business Succession Planning
- Disability Planning
- Physician's Directives
- General and Statutory Powers of Attorney
- Health Care Power of Attorney
- Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
- A Brief Explanation of Some Common Estate Planning Tools
- Downloadable Will & POA Planning Data Form
Guardianship:
Probate:
- Guides to Texas Probate
- Process and Procedure
- Probate
- What is Probate?
- Types of Estate Administrations
- Administrations
- Heirship Affidavits
- Muniment of Title (Entry of Will for Record Purposes Only)
- Small Estate Affidavits
- Trial of Disputed Issues
- Guardianship (For Adult or Minor)
- Downloadable Probate Form.
Bankruptcy:
- Chapter 7 - Liquidation of Debt
- Chapter 13 - Wage Earner's Reorganization
(Useful to Pay Taxes or Maintain Home or Vehicles) - What is the Difference between Chapters 7 and 13?
- Information to Consider Before Filing Bankruptcy
- Bankruptcy Traps
- Debt Tax Trap
- Budget Form
- Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention And Consumer Protection Act Of 2005
- New Hurdles To Filing Or Completing Bankruptcy
Business:
- Choice of Entity
- Contracts
- Incorporation of a New Business
- Transactions (Purchase and Sale of Business Interests)
- Document Review
- Non-competition Agreements
