Probate, long-term care, and tax laws are constantly changing. Find out how to prevent your assets from going through probate, how to protect unnecessary taxation, how to retain control of your affairs, and how to protect yourself against the costs of long-term care.

Discover the dangers of using joint accounts and quit claim deeds as estate planning tools. Learn about medical and financial powers of attorney, wills, “Ladybird” deeds, and living trusts.

Attendees will learn about how “gifting” can affect them and the recipient, including gift tax laws, capital gains tax laws, as well as the person’s eligibility for Medicaid and Veterans benefits. The class will cover recent changes in Michigan’s real estate laws, which prevent the reassessment of the taxable value of the property for transfers to family members.

Learn about Michigan’s “Estate Recovery” law, whereby the State can seek repayment from a person’s estate for governmental benefits paid, and ways to prevent that from happening.

• Estate Planning Basics PDF
• Estate Planning Basics PPT

Did you know that 50% of people 65 years or older will spend some time in a nursing home and that it costs $8,000 a month for such care? Because neither health insurance nor Medicare covers these costs, losing one’s life savings to such costs is a natural fear.

The course discusses ways to avoid the nursing home, in-home care options, payment options, long-term care insurance, life insurance conversions and hybrids, Veteran’s and Medicaid benefits, special needs trusts, and more.

There have been significant changes to the Medicaid and VA rules. For example, did you know that paying a caregiver can disqualify you from receiving Medicaid benefits? Learn how to avoid the Medicaid “Estate Recovery” law, which seeks repayment from a person’s estate for benefits paid.

Learn about the VA’s proposed look-back period, which causes ineligibility if you make a gift or purchase an annuity within three years of applying for VA benefits.

• Long Term Care - Medicaid Planning PDF
• Long Term Care — Medicaid Planning PPT