Advice on Selecting The Right Trustee For Your Trust

Advice on Selecting The Right Trustee For Your Trust

You have worked hard to obtain and protect assets such as your house, car, business, etc…In order to properly protect your assets and to provide for the most important people in your life, you may be advised to put some or all of your assets into a trust.

If you are deciding on establishing a trust, you will need to appoint someone to make sure that the trust is administered in accordance with your wishes. A trustee is a person who takes on the position and responsibilities of managing the trust’s assets. The responsibilities and regulations which the trustee must follow are outlined in the trust. The creator of the trust can be a trustee and even one of the trust's beneficiaries. However, trust creators may also appoint another person or even an institution as their trustee. 

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After the death or incapacity of the trust’s creator, a person or institution is named as the successor trustee in order to manage the trust’s assets. The person or entity listed in a trust as a successor trustee should also be carefully appointed because an unreliable trustee can both mismanage and waste assets. 

Because trustees have significant powers, a risk exists where an irresponsible trustee could end up harming a beneficiary. Selecting a trustee is a critical aspect of estate planning and many people tend to appoint a trustee without sufficient planning or thought. This article lists some important qualities to look for when selecting a trustee as well as some guidance on who to select as the right trustee. 

Important Qualities to Look For When Selecting a Trustee:

1.) The Capability to Perform the Job

In order to successfully administer and manage a trust, trustees have to be capable of performing various tasks. Trustees must have an understanding of both vocabulary related to trusts as well as the applicable laws. They should know how to successfully manage all types of assets (physical or intangible) as well as be able to diplomatically work with the beneficiaries. A trustee does not need to have experience in areas like finance or trust management, however, whoever is appointed as trustee should be financially responsible and have some dispute resolution skills. The person appointed as trustee should also be capable of making ethical decisions which means acting in the best interest of the trust creator and beneficiaries. 

2.) Remain Impartial 

A trustee has a fiduciary duty to the trust’s beneficiary, meaning that the trustee must act in the best interests of the beneficiaries in mind and not favor one beneficiary over another or engage in self-serving actions. Many older parents decide to appoint their children as trustees. Although appointing your child to be a trustee can be a good idea, it can also cause conflict within the family if the trustee is can not act impartially.  

3.) Willing to Act as a Trustee

Unfortunately, being a trustee is an often unacknowledged and thankless position which is why it is important to make sure to appoint someone who would want to perform the necessary tasks to administer your estate. If a trustee ends up feeling over-burned and loses interest in performing the tasks necessary for trust administration, the chance of your trust failing and your wishes being unmet will increase.

Should My Trustee Be My Spouse Or Child?

You know the strengths and weaknesses of your family members which puts you in the best position to decide if your spouse or your child can successfully carry out a trustee’s responsibilities. Under state law, there are many responsibilities of a trustee. These include, but are not limited to, remaining impartial between the interests of the current and future beneficiaries, properly accounting for all beneficiaries, and prudently investing trust funds. 

Questions to consider:

  • Can your trustee distinguish their personal feelings and interests from those of the beneficiaries?
  • Can your trustee analyze investments?
  • Will there be a temptation for your trustee to take risks hoping for a hefty return at the expense of the other beneficiaries?
  • What if your spouse re-marries?
  • Will all parties be treated impartially if, for example, your children are not your spouse’s children?
  • Will a child who is a trustee be able to exercise good judgment if a sibling is a beneficiary or could tension develop between them?
  • Can your sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and their children work successfully together?
  • Will a child who is balancing their family and career have adequate time to devote to serving as a trustee?

Should My Trustee Be An Attorney, Accountant, Or Other Trusted Advisor?

Attorneys, accountants, and financial advisers sometimes have a special and trusted relationship with their clients. Those who emphasize impartiality may look to their attorney, accountant, or other advisors. If you have an extended relationship with your attorney, accountant, or other advisors then it does not hurt to consider them a possible option to be a trustee. However, just because an accountant or other advisers may understand the nature of your business or your financial goals, they may not fully understand the scope of fiduciary duty or the inherent risks and responsibilities of being a trustee.

Questions to consider:

  • Does your professional adviser know and understand the dynamics of your family?
  • What experience do they have as a trustee?
  • How long have you been a client with the advisor? 
  • Do your immediate family members know of and trust the advisor?

Should My Trustee Be A Bank Or Trust Company?

Banks and trust companies provide professional fiduciary services so they can act independently and impartially. Corporate trustees have procedures and systems that will ensure your properties are being managed and funds are being invested in a fair and consistent manner. Choosing a professional fiduciary could reduce conflicts between family members while receiving experienced and professional investment and administrative management. All fiduciaries are held to a very high standard especially corporate fiduciaries because their business is to provide fiduciary services.

Questions to consider:

  • How much of the trust assets will be spent on fees from a trust company and be unavailable to my beneficiaries?
  • Do the increased investment returns provide value for the fees charged?
  • Will the bank or trust company understand my family and their needs?
  • What can I expect from the administrator making decisions that directly affect my family and meeting the goals of my trust?

Advantages To Choosing More Than One Trustee

You may find it beneficial to choose one or multiple individuals to serve as a trustee along with a corporate trustee. It can be helpful to have more than one trustee in order to balance all of the responsibilities such as recordkeeping, investments, and other trustee duties.

A properly drafted trust agreement can concisely outline the duties of the various trustees, such as the retention of specific investments, the delegation of particular duties, or even the power to remove a trustee. One of the co-trustees could have a particular understanding of a beneficiary’s needs and help the other trustees and/or the corporate trustee in making discretionary decisions.

Choosing trustees for your trust can take time, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Your ultimate decision should be well reasoned. You are the best one to recognize the responsibilities of managing your wealth and assets. You are also best able to understand the needs and capabilities of those closest to you. It is beneficial to consider the people who, when working together, have the knowledge, experience, and compassion to best carry out your remaining wishes.

If you need consulting on setting up a trust and appointing a trustee, please contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718)-333-2395.

What Are Some Alternatives to Guardianship?

Guardianship is a court arrangement where a judge appoints someone to assist in managing an individual’s healthcare and financial affairs when the individual is no longer able to do so on their own. Guardianship is divided into two categories that deal with different aspects of the individual's needs. The first category allows the guardian to oversee the ward’s daily care, Guardianship of the Person. The second category grants the guardian power to oversee the ward’s personal and home property, Guardianship of the Property. Usually, people who require guardians are individuals who may have neglected to engage in advance estate and care planning.

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The guardian could be a family member or the court could appoint an independent person. The court then supervises the guardian after they have been appointed. Guardianship appointments can be time-consuming and costly with prolonged legal fees. However, the good news is that guardianship is preventable. There are a few alternatives to guardianship that you can explore with early and proper planning. The following are potential alternatives to guardianship that should be widely considered. 

Obtaining a Representative Payee as Alternative to Guardianship of the Property 

If someone receives government benefits like Social Security, but they cannot manage the money on their own, the Social Security Administration can grant an individual to be appointed to receive the funds on behalf of the incapacitated individual. Social Security designates this person as a representative payee. The payee is required to use the funds to pay for the individual’s expenses and report the expenses to the agency. The payee must give an account to Social Security for how the money was spent. If you believe this is necessary for you and your family or loved one, you can do this by contacting Social Security and completing an interview. After completing the interview, you may be approved and be appointed a representative payee. Becoming a representative payee may avoid the need for a Guardian of the Property. 

Obtaining Durable Powers of Attorney as An Alternative to Guardianship of the Property

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document used to plan ahead of time. A POA allows one person (called the principal) to appoint one or more other people (called agents) the right to make health and/or financial decisions for them. Elders usually appoint an adult child as their agent as their mental and/or physical health deteriorates. In order to appoint an agent, the principal must have the capacity, at the time they choose who they want to act as their agent and when they sign the document. A POA is significantly less expensive and less time-consuming than a guardianship hearing.  Having a Power of Attorney in place could prevent the need for a Guardian of the Property to be appointed. 

Acquiring a Health Care Proxy as An Alternative to Guardianship of the Person

Similar to a Power of Attorney, a Health Care Proxy (HCP) is a document used to plan early. An HCP allows for an individual, with capacity, to appoint another person that they trust to make healthcare decisions for them. The principal will choose one person who can serve as their agent. An HCP, along with any other medical directives, will allow the principal to state their health care wishes early on. Although the HCP can be signed at any time, the HCP is only effective after two doctors decide that the principal is not able to make decisions on their own. Having a health care proxy in place could obviate the need for a Guardian of the Person. 

Trusts And Estate Planning as An Alternative to Guardianship of the Property

A third alternative to guardianship is to execute a trust. A trust is a legal contract between three parties – the grantor, the trustee, and the beneficiary. A trust can serve as a means for property management. Having a trust can sometimes avoid having a Guardian of the Property because the trustee can effectively manage your property, instead of a guardian. 

For disabled individuals or individuals planning for disability, you can create a First Party Supplemental Needs Trust or a Third Party Supplemental Needs Trust. These types of Trusts allow you to protect your assets while still being eligible for certain government benefits. Certain supplemental needs trust may need the court’s approval before being established. Each of these trusts has nuances that should be discussed with an estate planning or elder law attorney. 

Joint Checking Accounts as An Alternative to Guardianship of the Property

A fourth alternative to guardianship and property management is by setting up and maintaining a joint account with another person. You can also add a person to the account for convenience sake only. By adding another person to the account, it will allow the other person to pay the bills and be an alternative to a guardian of the property. 

Assistance with Care Management As Alternatives to Guardianship

If someone requires limited assistance, they may be able to use a case management tool instead of a guardian. They would create a plan that would allow others to assist and support the individual with the specific needs they may have while also allowing the individual to function independently in the areas they are able to. For instance, Adult Protective Services (APS) can provide case management without the need for a guardian. APS would appoint a case manager who can provide assistance with different needs like obtaining and recertifying for Medicaid, assuring proper living arrangements, monitoring safety, managing financials like social security benefits, and providing heavy-duty cleaning services.

How can an elder law or guardianship attorney help?

Guardianship is an expensive and, at times, cumbersome and complicated process. It is very possible to avoid guardianship by using any of the above ideas or resources. We can help you avoid guardianship. If unavoidable, we can also help you petition for guardianship. To learn more about the legal process of seeking guardianship it’s best to consult a lawyer. 

For further elder care information, please contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718) 333-2395 to receive the most highly qualified legal advice.

The Importance of Creating an Asset Protection Plan

Asset protection planning is important for everyone, from all walks of life. If you have any money, investments, or property that you want to protect, if you own a business or are starting one, you need to make sure you have a solid plan in place to protect your personal assets. There are many different risks to your financial security, and your plan for asset protection needs to focus on the things that are most likely to impact your savings.

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Why is Asset Protection Planning Important?

Asset protection planning will benefit you by keeping your property and money protected during your lifetime. It can also ensure that you can leave a legacy for your loved ones. There are many specific reasons why asset protection planning is important including:

  • The risk of incapacity: If you become incapacitated (ex: diagnosed with Alzheimer’s) you won’t be able to take care of your assets or manage your finances. Substantial losses could accrue unless you assign someone trusted and reliable to manage your assets. You should plan ahead and assure that you have chosen the right person to manage your assets in case you’re ever incapacitated. Incapacitation can be gradual (ie. dementia) but it can also happen suddenly (ie. falling comatose). It’s better to plan ahead and early; better be safe than sorry. A living trust and/or a power of attorney are useful legal tools that could be used to protect your assets in case of incapacity. 
  • The risk of business losses: If you run your own business, you could face the risk of personal loss if your business goes bankrupt or if you or your business is sued. You don’t want your own personal home or other property to be lost because of business problems so you should explore legal methods to ensure your own assets are kept safe. Incorporating or forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) could be an appropriate solution because, as long as you follow corporate rules, you will limit the risk of losing money invested in your business and limit the risk of losing personal assets. 
  • The risk of going into a nursing home: As everyone ages, nursing homes are a common long-term care plan. However, the cost of a nursing home can be extremely costly and nursing homes are not covered by most types of insurance, including Medicare. Many people are forced to spend all of their money and even sell their property to pay for a nursing home if they need care. Once the money is spent, then Medicaid begins to pay. However, if you create an asset protection plan, you can prevent your property from being included when determining if you’re eligible for Medicaid so you can get nursing home costs covered without giving away or spending your assets.
  • Losses due to estate tax: When you pass away and leave your assets to heirs, estate taxes could be imposed which could significantly reduce the value of an inheritance. This is mainly a problem for people with larger estates. As of 2021, estate taxes are assessed only if an estate exceeds $5.93 million. But, people with farms or business assets that count as part of their estate could quickly reach this amount and an inheritance could be at risk if there isn’t enough money to pay the taxes on potentially inherited farmland or business assets.
  • The risks presented by your heirs: You should protect your money and property even after you are gone. You can structure an inheritance so it will not be lost or spent recklessly if heirs get divorced or go bankrupt. You can also opt for creating trusts like special needs trusts or spendthrift trusts to meet the specific needs of beneficiaries who will inherit your assets. 

You work hard to amass money and property, and you deserve to protect what you have built so you can enjoy financial security in your old age and so you can make a difference by giving to people or causes you believe in after your death.

What Are Some Ways to Protect Assets? 

1.) Trusts- Irrevocable, Revocable, Medicaid asset protection

Trusts are legal documents that establish legal transfers of your assets. There are many different types of trusts, each serving its own purpose. Three common types of trusts used to protect assets are irrevocable trusts, revocable trust, and Medicaid asset protection trust. 

  • Irrevocable trusts are trusts that cannot be amended once created. Once it has been made, it cannot be changed or terminated without the permission of the grantor’s beneficiary. You also relinquish control of the trust’s assets and control is transferred to the trustee, the person who is legally responsible for managing the trust, and all changes/distributions are left to their judgment. There are many types of irrevocable trusts like asset protection trust, special needs trust, charitable trust, and Medicaid trust. The most common is asset protection trust because, in the event that a creditor files a lawsuit against you, the assets you transferred to the trust will no longer be considered yours. 
  • Revocable trusts (aka living wills) are the opposite of irrevocable trusts. It lets you freely make changes to it up until you die. It allows you to keep control of your assets while you are alive as opposed to giving up control in an irrevocable trust. You can also use it to determine who will inherit your assets after you die. A revocable living trust is preferable to a will since it does not require probate and can be revoked or amended at any moment while you are still alive. Revocable living trusts actually provide little asset protection but are a great way to ensure that your estate avoids the probate procedure after you die. 
  • Medicaid Asset Protection Trust sometimes called Pooled Income Trust, is a tool to protect your assets and allow people to qualify for Medicaid long-term care. A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is a type of irrevocable trust so the transfer of assets into this kind of trust is considered a “gift.” To protect your assets, the trust has to be created 2.5 years before home care Medicaid is needed or 5 years before nursing home care is needed. This is because Medicaid inputs a look-back period when someone applies for Medicaid. 

2.) LLCs 

A limited liability company (LLC) is a legal status given to businesses. This establishment means the business will be its own legal entity and the owner(s) can be relieved of personal responsibility for their company’s debts or liabilities. An LLC will protect a business owner’s assets like bank accounts, properties, and cars in the event of a bankruptcy or other legal disputes. The owner’s assets cannot be viewed as the company’s assets.

3.) Retirement accounts 

If you have a 401(k), you might want to consider moving some cash into it. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) enjoy protection under federal law as long as they are ERISA-qualified (such as a 401(k)). ERISA-qualified generally means the retirement account is employer-sponsored so pensions would count too. Your IRA might have even more protection depending on your state’s laws. Retirement accounts are also useful to avoid the probate process so some of your possessions can directly pass to your heirs without being dictated in the will

How can an Elder Law Attorney help?

Asset protection planning is not just for wealthy people, it’s important for everyone. If you have any money, property, or investments that you want to protect, you should create a plan. Planning is also important when you are young, because you can protect more of your assets if you take action early.

To learn more about asset protection planning and discover what plan works best for you, contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718)-333-2395 for highly qualified advice.

Can I Give My Assets Away To Qualify for Medicaid?

Many individuals are forced to consider applying for Medicaid for a host of reasons, all mainly to help alleviate the cost of medical care. Medicaid is a joint federal and state public health insurance program for people with low income. The program covers 1 in 5 Americans, many with intricate and expensive needs for medical care. Medicaid is the principal source of long-term care coverage for many Americans. The majority of Medicaid enrollees lack access to other affordable health insurance. Medicaid covers a broad array of health services and helps limit out-of-pocket costs.

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There are many factors to consider when applying for Medicaid, and this is widely due to the eligibility requirements that Medicaid has. If an individual has too many assets, they won’t be able to qualify for Medicaid. However, there are many legal ways to move your assets, which can allow you or a loved one to be eligible for Medicaid.

1) What qualifications do you need to have to become eligible for Medicaid? 

To be eligible for New York Medicaid, you have to be a resident of New York State, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

  • Pregnant, or
  • Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
  • Blind, or
  • Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or
  • Be 65 years of age or older.

But the primary concern regarding Medicaid qualifications for many Americans is what is considered low income.  

2) How does Medicaid know what assets you have?

When you are determining if you are eligible for Medicaid, the Department of Social Services (“DSS”) will evaluate the Medicaid applicant or recipient’s income and assets that actually or will potentially exist. However, only such income and/or assets that are actually found to be readily available to the applicant may be considered in determining eligibility for Medicaid. In 2021, an individual can have no more than $17,131 in income to be eligible for Medicaid. 

Can I Give My Assets Away As A “Gift” To Qualify for Medicaid?

In general, while determining the Medicaid eligibility, any gifting of assets made by the applicant within the look-back period will render the person ineligible for Medicaid for a period of time. Currently, the look-back period is five (5) years prior to the date of application.

Everyday common gifts can be considered by this vague word, “gift.” For example, paying for your grandchildren’s college education or contributing to your local church can all be considered gifts for purposes of determining Medicaid. A common myth is that you are allowed to gift $17,131 each year without incurring a penalty for Medicaid eligibility purposes. But as the word myth suggests, this is incorrect. In 2021, the annual gift tax exclusion for federal gift tax purposes is $15,000. That means that you can open the phone book and give everyone in the phone book $15,000 this year without filing a gift tax return. However, federal tax law has nothing to do with Medicaid eligibility rules. If you are gifting $15,000 each year, those gifts will still be evaluated for Medicaid eligibility purposes.

When is a gift not a gift (or in Medicaid terms a “transfer”) for Medicaid eligibility purposes? New York State law states that a person will not be ineligible for Medicaid if they transferred assets unless it was transferred exclusively for a purpose other than Medicaid eligibility. Ok, that seems easy enough. For example, you obviously didn’t pay for your grandchildren’s college education because you were specifically trying to qualify for Medicaid. However, as a matter of policy, DSS has historically been reluctant to accept this argument from applicants who have made significant gifts of assets like paying thousands of dollars for college. The result is that many individuals are denied Medicaid eligibility despite making regular (and necessary) gifts during the look-back period. However, there have been instances where applicants successfully argued that gifts made during the lookback period were for purposes other than to qualify for Medicaid and therefore, eligible for Medicaid. While determining the applicant’s intention, the DSS will consider things such as the applicant’s physical and mental condition at the time of the gift, the applicant’s use of the gifted funds, and the applicant’s financial security. The DSS may also evaluate whether the applicant gifted their own funds or if they received the funds through inheritance or windfall. To add, the DSS may check to make sure how much time passed between the gifting and the applicant’s institutionalization and whether this applicant lived alone when they made the gifts. Finally, the DSS may review whether the applicant had considered institutionalized care when the gifts were made.

3) Do assets disqualify you from having Medicaid?

No, not necessarily. Having assets won’t automatically disqualify you from having Medicaid. For example, in New York, a single applicant who is blind, disabled, or 65 and older is allowed to retain $15,900 in liquid assets. And for married couples, asset limits vary by the state, the Medicaid program, and if one or both spouses are applying for Medicaid.

However, just because a senior’s assets exceed the general limits listed above it does not mean they are automatically ineligible for Medicaid. States implement different rules and resource limits, and an elder can create a personalized asset spend-down plan to meet their state’s eligibility criteria. States also have varying laws regarding trusts and how they are counted, or not counted, when determining Medicaid eligibility. 

There are also many other guidelines for calculating income and figuring out one’s medical need for care and assistance. Also, different financial rules apply to married couples. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with these eligibility requirements early on in case you ever need to help an aging loved one apply for Medicaid (or file an application yourself).

4) How can an Elder Law Attorney help?

Given the economic environment, it is common for lawyers to encounter situations where applicants gift their children or grandchildren during the look-back period which makes the Medicaid application process more complicated. And in most cases, handling the application process without any professional assistance can result in a determination of ineligibility and even a costly Medicaid penalty period. The assistance of competent counsel practicing in the area of elder law is imperative. It is important to work with an experienced elder law attorney with Medicaid planning experience. 

For further Medicaid planning, please contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718) 333-2395 to receive the most highly qualified legal advice.

How Does A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust Work?

Today we are going to learn about what a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is and how it works. We also going to discuss when it should be used, it’s benefits and how an elder law attorney can help you through the process.

What is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust?

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, sometimes called Pooled Income Trust, is a tool to protect your assets and allow people to qualify for Medicaid long-term care.

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When should a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust be used?

To protect your assets, the trust has to be created 2.5 years before home care Medicaid is needed or 5 years before nursing home care is needed. This is because Medicaid inputs a “look-back” period when someone applies for Medicaid. The reason a certain period of time has to pass before your assets are protected is that the transfer of assets into a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is considered a “gift.” Medicaid also enforces strict income and asset guidelines. In order to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have more than $2,000 of liquid assets. Liquid assets are assets that can be easily converted to cash in a short amount of time. Examples include cash, checking accounts, and saving accounts. Once you meet the guidelines, Medicaid looks into what happened to your assets which is why you need to prepare years beforehand. The applicant still has to report the existence of the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust – it is not hidden from the government in any way.

How Does a Medicaid Trust Work?

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is an irrevocable trust which means once it has been made, it cannot be changed or terminated without the permission of the grantor’s beneficiary. Assets placed in the trust are considered gifts to the beneficiaries, which protects the assets from Medicaid. In New York, an irrevocable trust can be revoked as long as the beneficiaries and the grantor consent to it. But, beware that once a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is revoked, the assets are no longer protected by this trust. 

The Grantor of a Medicaid Trust has to name someone other than themselves or their spouse as the Trustee. This means that the Grantor is giving up control. However, the Grantor still has the power to remove and change any trustee as well as the power to change the beneficiaries of the Trust. If the Grantor owns a home, they can maintain the right to live in that home rent-free for their entire life, and their spouse can do so too. This “life estate” lets the grantor continue to obtain any property tax exemptions.

The Grantor is not entitled to the principal of any assets placed in an Irrevocable Trust which means that they are not entitled to any of the property that can generate ordinary income.
However, they can receive all income (interest, dividends, rental income, etc.) that the Trust assets may generate. The Trustee’s role is to invest the assets held by the Trust. However, because the Grantor maintains some control over assets in the Medicaid Trust, it is considered a grantor trust, and they are still taxed on any income.

When an Irrevocable Trust is created, assets that the Grantor wants to protect will be retitled in the name of the Trust, which is known as “funding the trust.” Assets can include anything from a checking or brokerage account to property. However, Individual Retirement Accounts do not get retitled into the name of the Trust because they are already protected for Medicaid purposes by law – as long as the required minimum distribution is taken. 

Usually, Grantors will place their home and some liquid assets in the trust and name a child as trustee then not think about it for years. Most trusts provide that after the death of one of the spouses, the income interest continues for the surviving spouse. Then, after the death of the remaining spouse, the assets are distributed to beneficiaries as they would be in a will. 

What are the benefits?

The main benefit of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is the ability to receive Medicaid. In general, with trusts, you can protect your and your family’s assets and pass on any valuable assets, like property. Some other specific benefits have been mentioned above such as property tax exemptions, uninterrupted income, and the ability to still use the assets after the grantor’s death. Some other benefits include:
● Avoidance of probate court
● Maintenance of privacy
● Avoids the hassle of multi-state probate proceedings- in case trustees do not reside in the state that the grantor did
● Provides planning for mental disability- should the grantor ever not be sound of mind, they cannot amend the trust
● Keeps assets in the immediate family
● Keeps assets out of surviving children’s divorces
● Keeps money out of creditors’ reach

How can an elder law attorney help?

An elder law attorney can help you decide whether a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is right for you. A host of factors goes into the decision, such as the client’s available funds, relationship with intended beneficiaries, and timing. It is important to meet with a knowledgeable and experienced elder law attorney to assess which plan best achieves your goals and relieves any of your concerns.

For further Medicaid planning, please contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718) 333-2395 to receive the most highly qualified legal advice.

How To Get Guardianship of An Elderly Parent?

When an older adult is not able to think clearly, their capability to make informed and meaningful decisions will be affected. The onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias, stroke, brain injury, mental illness, or other serious issues can be the cause. If the person you are caring for is not able to make rational, sound-minded decisions about their health care, finances, or other aspects of life, seeking legal guardianship might be necessary for their safety and quality of life.

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What Is Guardianship for Elderly Individuals?

Guardianship is a legal option in the event that an adult has not appointed a healthcare proxy or power of attorney (POA) and they are not capable of doing so anymore because of advancing age, illness, or disability. Even if they named a POA, guardianship might still be necessary especially if their POA is not durable, meaning it ends when they are incapacitated. The most common scenario is when family caregivers seek guardianship for adults with dementia and they have not made legal preparations for the future.

The definition for the term, guardianship, varies between states. In some states, guardianship gives the appointed person control over where the incapacitated individual lives, what health care they can receive, and how their daily needs are met. On the other hand, conservatorship allows the appointed person to handle the incapacitated individual’s financial decisions, such as paying bills, managing investments, and budgeting. These terms are often used interchangeably.

In order to act as someone’s legal guardian or conservator, the person petitioning for guardianship must go to court and have the incapacitated individual declared as incompetent based on an expert’s findings. If the incapacitated individual is legally ruled as incompetent and the petitioner is a fit candidate to serve as a guardian, then the court transfers the responsibility for managing finances, living arrangements, medical decisions, or any combination of these to the petitioner.

The entire process often takes a decent amount of time and money. Family members can disagree about if guardianship is necessary or who should be assigned as a guardian. It can be painful, prolonged, and costly.

What Is a Court-Appointed Guardian?

A court-appointed guardian (or conservator) has court-ordered authority to handle an incapacitated individual’s affairs. They have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the individual they are appointed to serve. Unfortunately, it strips the incapacitated individual of many rights. However, it may be the only way to obtain the legal authority to make important decisions on their behalf.

Who Can Be a Legal Guardian?

The court will hold a hearing to decide if the person seeking guardianship is fit for the role. Their relationship, criminal background, credit history, and any potential conflicts of interest are factors that go into the court’s decision.

In the case where more than one person is petitioning for responsibility for the incapacitated individual’s needs, the court will determine who is best qualified. Sometimes one person is appointed to handle the medical decisions (aka guardianship of the person) while another is appointed to manage financial matters (aka guardianship of the property). The incapacitated individual’s preferences and previously prepared legal documents (ex: Non-durable POA, a will, or advance directive) are factors for this decision.

Most states can give preference to the incapacitated individual’s spouse, adult children, or other family members because they are most familiar with the individual’s unique needs and abilities. If a loved one is not willing or not qualified to serve as a guardian then a professional guardian or public guardian might be appointed.

When Is a Guardian Appointed?

A guardian or conservator can only be assigned if a court hears evidence that an incapacitated individual lacks mental capacity in some or all areas of their life. The court also determines that the individual can no longer make informed decisions for themselves. Allegedly incapacitated individuals (not deemed incapacitated) have the right to an attorney and the right to object to the appointment of their guardian or conservator.

In rare cases, if an elder’s health and/or finances are in jeopardy, emergency guardianship may be granted right away. Be warned, guardianship is a very serious intervention and should only be considered as a last resort. 

A Guardian’s Role:

Whenever possible, the guardian or conservator must find the opinion of the incapacitated individual and can only act in areas authorized by the court. After a thorough investigation, the court can rule if guardians can be given limited or broad authority. Sometimes the court delegates responsibilities to several parties. In general, the court needs to see reports and financial accounting at regular intervals or whenever important decisions are made. For some large decisions, prior court approval can be required.

Do Guardians Receive Compensation?

All court-appointed guardians are entitled to reasonable compensation for their services. When a family guardian (a spouse, family member, or friend) is appointed, they usually do not charge the incapacitated individual for their services. If a private guardian is appointed, they are paid directly from the incapacitated individual’s estate if they can afford to. If compensation is provided, the compensation amount must be approved by the court, and the guardian must carefully account for all their services, the time their tasks require, and any associated out-of-pocket costs. Public guardians are appointed to incapacitated individuals who do not have family or friends to be their guardians or the resources to hire a professional guardian. They are funded by public money, like government funds and charitable contributions. 

Hire an Elder Care Attorney.

To learn more about the legal process of seeking guardianship or conservatorship in your state, it’s best to consult a lawyer.

For further elder care information, please contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718) 333-2395 to receive the most highly qualified legal advice.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

As our loved ones age, how do you know if they are showing normal aging changes or if they are showing early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s? The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s. In 2020, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, roughly 5.8 million people were living with Alzheimer’s disease. Warning signs for Dementia vary, but changes to behavior, increasing confusion, and loss of memory are common signs. Noticing these signs early may help you and your loved one prepare for the possibility of dementia.

10 warning signs of dementia

Every dementia patient experiences different symptoms with various severities, but there are some early warning signs you can find. These are 10 signs to look out for in order to determine if a loved one should seek a comprehensive medical workup and cognitive testing for dementia.

10 Warning Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

1.) Forgetfulness and Short-Term Memory Loss

Memory loss is the most common symptom of most types of dementia. Alzheimer’s affects short-term memory first which means a person can forget information they recently learned. However, just because someone can’t remember where they put their keys or switch up names it does not mean they have Alzheimer’s. We all forget parts of a conversation from time to time, but an early symptom of dementia can result in someone forgetting entire conversations that just happened. Dementia patients may also forget important dates and events and frequently ask for the same information repeatedly. Caregivers may have to give reminders more frequently whether it's leaving notes or calling to remind them of daily tasks.

2.) Lack of Concentration and Increased Confusion

Another common symptom of dementia is getting confused about times and places and difficulty concentrating. Both can make daily activities take much longer than they used to. Dementia patients can forget where they are, how they got somewhere, and can easily get lost navigating familiar places. As dementia progresses, patients may have trouble differentiating between past, present, future events. They can lose track of seasons and general passage of time which causes them to either show up to appointments or events at the wrong time or not show up at all.

3.) Losing things

Dementia patients could start to put things in more and more unusual places. We all can misplace our car keys or house keys from time to time but finding “lost” keys in the refrigerator could be a sign of dementia. Patients could lose things and then not be able to retrace their steps to find their missing things. However harmless this may seem; this can escalate into theft accusations when they can’t find their personal belongings that they have unknowingly misplaced. Patients can become paranoid and subsequently put their things in even more unusual spots to ward off the suspected thief. Suspicion and delusions may occur in middle-to-late stage Alzheimer’s.

4.) Difficulty Doing Familiar Tasks

Dementia can also affect one’s capability to do normal daily tasks. Patients could have difficulty with coordination and remembering how to complete multi-step processes like driving, cooking, or playing a familiar game. They may start to rely more on their loved ones to do things for them. Caregivers should maximize the patient’s independence and allow them to try and figure it out but should remain cautious. Dementia can also affect depth perception, distance perception, and color perception. Caregivers may notice increased clumsiness, accidents, falls, and uncharacteristic mishaps.

5.) Language and Speech Problems

Alzheimer patients will typically have trouble recalling the right words while speaking or while writing. Some patients can use stand-in words like “thingy,” “thingamajig,” “doodad,” or “what-cha-ma-call-it” and can make up their words or terms for actions. For example, someone with dementia might call a fridge a “cold space.” Because of these confusions or impaired speech abilities, they may also stop talking or writing abruptly.

6.) Problem with Simple Math

Math may not come easy to everyone, but people in early stage dementia may have difficulty completing basic math problems. They can find it difficult to work with numbers in everyday life such as budgeting, calculating tips, or even adding and subtracting. Caregivers should remain patient when helping dementia patients with this. Patients may feel embarrassed so it’s also critical caregivers remain non judgemental, offering help or corrections as suggestions.

7.) Poor Judgement

Depending on the patient, changes in decision-making, through process, and judgement could be a sign of dementia. If a person has made risky decisions all through their life, dementia may not be the cause of their changes in decision-making. However, if a logical person who usually carefully weighs all the options and makes informed decisions suddenly begins showing poor or reckless judgement, dementia could be the cause of that. For example, if they start recklessly spending, inappropriately dressing for the weather, or falling for obvious scams (Nigerian prince) those could be a sign of dementia.

8.) Personality Changes and Mood Swings

Personality changes and mood swings could be a symptom of dementia. Patients can become fearful, suspicious, paranoid, depressed, or anxious. Someone who is usually confident may become more closed off and shy. Patients could easily become more upset when they’re frustrated especially when they are put outside of their comfort zone. Caregivers can reduce the effects by creating a calm environment and avoiding or limiting  environmental triggers such as light glare or background noises.

9.) Changes in Grooming and Personal Hygiene

Changes in grooming and personal hygiene such as not changing clothes, skipping showers, and not brushing their teeth are common signs of dementia. In addition,  neglecting basic upkeep of their home such as allowing clutter to accumulate and not cleaning at all are common signs of dementia. Caregivers may have to help patients with grooming, maintaining personal hygiene, and cleaning. However in cases where patients may refuse help, it is best to remain patient and explain to patients how you can help.

10.) Withdrawing from Friends and Family

Increased withdrawal from social events that one normally enjoys attending could be a sign of dementia. Patients may avoid social activities to prevent drawing attention to their other symptoms such as memory lapses or difficulty communicating. Patients who are aware of their signs or symptoms of dementia may be less confident in themselves which leads them to avoid interacting with their loved ones. If loved ones or caregivers notice this, reassurance and making patients feel comfortable in an environment could help.

What to do if you notice these signs?

If you recognize any of these signs and think any of your loved ones may have a form of dementia such as Alzhmeir’s, you should make a doctor’s appointment promptly. An early diagnosis is crucial as it can check for curable conditions that can mimic symptoms of dementia, devise care and treatment strategies, and make legal and financial plans for the future. Should you notice any of these signs, elder law planning may be something you need.

If you and your loved one need estate planning, please contact the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn at (718) 333-2395 for legal assistance and enquiries.