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Estate planning involves crafting a comprehensive strategy for your assets, which may include your home, bank accounts, investments, and personal possessions. The plan provides directives on the management of these assets when you’re no longer around or incapable of making decisions, offering clear instructions for your loved ones and reducing stress and confusion.
For expert guidance on creating your estate plan, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Estate planning allows you to maintain control over your assets, safeguarding them from costly long-term care or other unexpected situations. This essential process creates a protective measure for your future, ensuring your wishes and the needs of your loved ones are secured.
To begin the process of protecting your assets, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
A will serves as the directional guide for your assets after your journey ends, indicating who will receive what, be it your grandmother’s vintage clock or your beloved beach house. Most importantly, if you have minor children, a will is where you nominate their guardian.
For assistance in creating a comprehensive will, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Think of a trust as a container for your assets. By consolidating your assets into a trust, you can protect them more quickly if necessary and also evade probate in the future. Trusts are flexible tools that can be tailored in many ways. Their fundamental purpose is to hold assets and determine what happens to those assets when the trust maker passes away, much like a last will and testament.
Need help understanding trusts and their benefits? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
The key differences lie in control and protection.
Control: In a revocable trust, the trust maker also controls the trust (the trustee). For a trust to be truly irrevocable, neither the person creating the trust nor their spouse can be the trustee. If you create an irrevocable trust, you need to choose someone else as the trustee. An irrevocable trust can be thought of as a game where the creator sets the rules, but once the game begins, those rules can’t be changed.
Protection: A revocable trust offers asset protection by enabling the avoidance of probate. An irrevocable trust provides a higher degree of protection by also removing the assets from the trust maker’s name. This helps qualify for benefits like Medicaid, preserve assets, and avoid taxes.
Want to understand better the nuances between revocable and irrevocable trusts? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
A Ladybird Deed, also known as an enhanced life estate deed, is a powerful legal instrument designed to protect your home and surrounding property. It functions like a new deed for your property, allowing you to protect it from Medicaid Estate Recovery and avoid probate, all without violating the Medicaid Lookback Period.
The Ladybird Deed accomplishes this by letting you assign beneficiaries to your property. It offers the unique advantage of safeguarding your property without relinquishing control or the ability to sell. All this protection is consolidated into one special tool, the Ladybird Deed.
Need further insight into the benefits of a Ladybird Deed? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
A Power of Attorney is a legal authority granted by an individual (the “Principal”) to an agent, allowing them to act on the Principal’s behalf. The scope of the agent’s powers is defined by the power of attorney document, and the agent must act in line with the Principal’s wishes and never against them. A person must be mentally capable to issue a power of attorney.
On the other hand, Guardianship becomes relevant when an individual is unable to make decisions due to incapacity. A Guardian is appointed by the court to act on behalf of the incapacitated individual (the “Ward”) only after the court has convincingly established the person’s incapacity. A Guardian can act contrary to the Ward’s wishes as long as it’s in the Ward’s best interest.
Unsure about the Guardianship and Power of Attorney processes? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Funding your trust is the process of transferring your assets from you to your trust. You do this by physically changing the titles of your assets from your individual name (or joint names, if married) to the name of your trust. You will also change most beneficiary designations to your trust.
A durable power of attorney is vital in this scenario. This document allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you – be they financial or medical – if you become incapacitated.
For help setting up a durable power of attorney, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Indeed, it can! Certain estate planning tools, like specific types of trusts, can help protect your assets from being used up by long-term care costs.
To explore how estate planning can safeguard your assets, (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Your estate plan should be reviewed every 3-5 years, or whenever significant life events occur, such as a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or major financial change.
For assistance in reviewing your estate plan, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Choosing an executor or trustee is a crucial decision, as this person will carry out your wishes and manage your estate. It’s crucial to choose someone you trust implicitly.
For guidance on selecting an executor or trustee, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
While it’s possible to undertake estate planning independently, the process can be complex and fraught with risks. An estate planning attorney can help ensure your plan is legally sound and optimally structured.
For professional assistance with estate planning, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Elder Law is a specialized field of law that addresses issues affecting older adults. This can include estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianship, retirement, and more.
For more information about Elder Law and how it can benefit you, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
An Elder Law attorney can navigate the intricate legal issues related to aging, helping you make informed decisions that protect your rights and assets.
For assistance from an experienced Elder Law attorney, (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Several options exist:
Paying out of pocket is the most expensive option due to the high cost of long-term care ($5k to $10k per month on average).
Long-term care insurance could be a worthy investment, but you’d need to qualify for it well before needing long-term care. Some long-term care insurance policies also have pricey and impractical premiums.
Lastly, you could utilize Medicaid or VA benefits, which could cover the cost of long-term care with little to no out-of-pocket expense.
Need assistance in navigating your long-term care payment options? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Medicaid Planning is a strategy for organizing your financial resources to ensure you qualify for Medicaid, which can cover long-term care costs while preserving your assets.
To begin Medicaid planning, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Planning for Medicaid is crucial due to the high costs of long-term care, which can rapidly deplete your savings. Medicaid Planning ensures that you’re prepared financially should you require such care.
For help with Medicaid planning, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
While giving away assets may seem like a viable solution, this can lead to penalties, resulting in a loss of benefits. It’s essential to devise a strategy to protect your assets legally and safely.
To discuss strategies for Medicaid eligibility, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
The lookback period refers to the timeframe during which Medicaid scrutinizes the financial transactions of a long-term care applicant. In essence, Medicaid is assessing if the applicant has made any transfers or gifts to reduce their asset threshold or remove assets from potential estate recovery.
If such transfers occur within the Lookback Period and cannot be undone, the applicant faces penalties. This means they won’t qualify for Medicaid until they’ve compensated the care facility an amount roughly equivalent to the gift’s value. The Lookback Period spans three years for assisted living and five years for skilled nursing-level care.
Do you have concerns about the Lookback Period? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Exempt assets are those not counted by Medicaid when determining your eligibility. These often include your primary home, one vehicle, and personal belongings.
To learn more about exempt assets in Medicaid planning, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
When applying for Medicaid, your primary residence is often exempt, protecting it from being counted as an asset. However, certain restrictions apply based on your state’s regulations and whether a spouse or dependent resides in the home.
For information about your home and Medicaid, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
The spousal impoverishment rule is a protective measure that prevents the healthy spouse from losing all income and resources when the other spouse requires Medicaid long-term care.
To learn more about the spousal impoverishment rule and how it might apply to you, call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Probate is the standard legal process where a deceased person’s assets are passed on to their heirs. This process is overseen and managed by the court, which requires strict filings like an inventory of the deceased’s assets and an accounting of the estate.
As such, the probate process can be complex and lengthy, usually lasting from six months to two years.
During probate, all the deceased’s creditors must be notified, such as medical creditors, nursing homes, and Medicaid. This notification presents an opportunity for creditors to target the estate’s assets before they’re distributed to the heirs.
With proper estate planning, you can avoid probate and prevent the chance for creditors to deplete the estate and reduce your loved ones’ inheritance.
Looking for strategies to bypass the probate process? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2zOudG3rMw
With careful and strategic estate planning, such as establishing trusts or nominating beneficiaries, one can avoid probate. This method ensures a more straightforward transfer of your assets to your chosen beneficiaries.
There are also two significant types of accounts that can help avoid probate: Payable on Death (POD) and Transferable on Death (TOD) accounts.
POD accounts, which are typically cash-based such as checking or savings accounts, are designed to have a beneficiary who receives the cash upon the account holder’s death.
On the other hand, TOD accounts pertain to ownership of securities, like stocks or bonds, which are transferred upon the owner’s death. A crucial distinction is that while both accounts bypass probate, TOD accounts can be subject to probate debts, unlike POD accounts, highlighting the importance of considering strategies to protect TOD accounts.
Want to establish a seamless transfer for your heirs? Call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to initiate planning.
Not necessarily. Certain assets like jointly owned properties or assets with designated beneficiaries can circumvent the probate process. Furthermore, under certain conditions, small estates in North Carolina may bypass probate.
Confused if an estate requires probate? Contact us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
Expense: Probate can result in significant expenses like legal fees and executor costs, which are paid before your assets reach your heirs. If you own property in multiple states, you could end up dealing with numerous probate processes, each with its own set of rules and expenses.
Duration: Probate is not a quick process; it often extends over months or even years. During this period, your assets could be frozen for inventory and require court or executor approval for any distribution or sale. This could pose problems if your family requires funds for day-to-day expenses.
Privacy: Probate is a public process, meaning that any “interested party” can access information about your assets, debts, beneficiaries, and their inheritance timeline. This public exposure can invite will contests from unhappy heirs and unwanted solicitations to your family.
Control: Probate can feel like an unwelcome tour guide, determining the expenses, duration, and public exposure of your estate’s journey.
Want to avoid the complexities of probate? Reach us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
In North Carolina, if an individual passes away without a will, their estate gets distributed following state intestacy laws. Essentially, it’s like the state writes your will, deciding the allocation of your assets.
Want to guarantee that your assets are distributed according to your wishes? Dial (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
The executor, sometimes referred to as a personal representative, is appointed in the will and serves as the estate’s orchestra conductor, guiding it through the probate process. Their responsibilities include amassing assets, paying off debts, and allocating the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
Require assistance in understanding the executor’s duties? Dial us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
If the appointed executor is unable or unwilling to serve, or if no one is named, the court will step in to appoint someone, often a close family member. It’s akin to having a substitute teacher when the regular one isn’t available.
Worried about who will manage your estate? Call us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to consider your options.
The probate process commences with the submission of the will to the probate court. Following this, the executor is appointed, assets are identified and valued, debts are settled, and the remaining assets are dispersed. It’s a bit like a relay race, with each step passing the baton to the next.
Require help in navigating the probate relay race? Dial us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
The duration of probate can vary based on the complexity of the estate. Generally, it can range from a few months to over a year. Think of it as a journey, and every journey is unique.
Curious about how long the probate journey might take? Reach us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
While joint ownership may appear as an easy ticket out of probate, it often only delays the inevitable. While ownership can transfer without probate upon the death of one owner, if both owners pass simultaneously or the second one dies without designating another owner, probate comes back into play.
Joint ownership also exposes you to new risks: potential loss of control, legal liabilities, tax issues, and even unintentional disinheritance. Moreover, with certain assets like real estate, all owners’ signatures may be required to sell or refinance, which can complicate matters if a co-owner becomes incapacitated.
Wondering about the implications of joint ownership? Dial us at (704) 794-9244 or click here to get started.
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Charlotte, NC 28284
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Shelby, NC 28150
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Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 233-5991
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At McIntyre Elder Law, we’re dedicated to assisting North Carolina families, seniors, and their loved ones as they plan for the future.
Whether you need to prepare for future long-term care, access Medicaid or nursing home benefits, or need help settling a loved one’s estate, we’re here to support you.
Contact us for a complimentary consultation to take the first steps towards safeguarding your lifestyle, your legacy, and your family’s wellbeing.
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112 S Tryon St STE 700
Charlotte, NC 28284
(704) 749-9244
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136 S King St Suite D Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 233-5991
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Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.
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