Maine Center for Elder Law BlogMaine Center for Elder Law Bloghttp://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/blog/Maine_Center_for_Elder_Law_Blogen-usSun, 20 May 2012 08:33:29 GMT10<![CDATA[Bill would protect Survivor Benefit Plan for special-needs kids]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2012/04/06/Special_Needs_Planning/Bill_would_protect_Survivor_Benefit_Plan_for_special-needs_kids_bl3864.htm The “Disabled Military Child Protection Act,” introduced by Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., on March 29, would allow military retirees who participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to transfer their benefits to a special-needs trust for their disabled children that would be accessible after the retiree dies. Civilian federal retirees are able to establish similar trusts for their disabled children, but there is no equivalent within the military’s retirement system.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/04/military-bill-protects-survivor-benefit-plan-special-needs-kids-040312w/

]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Amid Squeeze on Home Equity, A Revival for Reverse Mortgages, WSJ]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2012/01/17/Senior_Lifestyles/Amid_Squeeze_on_Home_Equity,_A_Revival_for_Reverse_Mortgages,_WSJ_bl3307.htm See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204542404577158990079313270.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#printMode

]]>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Special Tax Deductions for Special Education ]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/11/16/Special_Needs_Planning/Special_Tax_Deductions_for_Special_Education__bl3014.htm Here's a good article from Wall Street Journal:

More than six million children in the U.S. fall into the "special needs" category, and their ranks are expanding. The number of those affected by one developmental disability alone—autism—grew more than 70% between 2005 and 2010.

The tax code can help—if you know where to look.

There are numerous tax breaks for education, but the most important one for many special-needs students isn't an education break per se. Instead, it falls under the medical-expense category.

Although students with disabilities have a right to a "free and appropriate" public education by law, some families opt out and others pay for a range of supplemental therapies.

Read the full article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203537304577030453437780894.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

]]>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Protecting Your Parents' Money from Fraud]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/10/03/Financial_Abuse/Protecting_Your_Parents__Money_from_Fraud_bl2810.htm One out of every five older Americans has been sold an inappropriate investment, paid excessive fees for a financial product or service, or been a victim of fraud, according to a 2010 study by the Investor Protection Trust; new research from MetLife puts their collective losses at $2.9 billion last year.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/10/retirement/protecting_parents.moneymag/index.htm

]]>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Compare cost of care across the U.S.]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/08/02/Caregiver_Resources/Compare_cost_of_care_across_the_U.S._bl2512.htm Genworth Financial offers a cost of care map for the United States:

http://www.genworth.com/content/products/long_term_care/long_term_care/cost_of_care.html

]]>Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Veteran Con Man Back to Swindling Elderly Veterans (SF Weekly News, 6-29-2011)]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/06/30/Veterans_Benefits/Veteran_Con_Man_Back_to_Swindling_Elderly_Veterans_(SF_Weekly_News,_6-29-2011)_bl2412.htm Watch out for these kinds of advisors!

http://www.sfweekly.com/2011-06-29/news/paul-noe-ii-con-man-veteran-benefits-scam-financial-review-insurance-services-matt-smith/2/

]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Heiress's nurse inherits $30 million — but should she? (msnbc.com)]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/06/24/Estate_Planning/Heiress_s_nurse_inherits_$30_million_—_but_should_she___(msnbc.com)_bl2383.htm The wealthy recluse's bequest to her nurse and doctor raises serious ethical questions.

See article by Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., is director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43516963/ns/health-health_care/

]]>Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Caregivers can get help for parents who need it (Portland Press Herald, 6-12-2011)]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/06/24/Caregiver_Resources/Caregivers_can_get_help_for_parents_who_need_it_(Portland_Press_Herald,_6-12-2011)_bl2385.htm With proper support, adult children stay healthier and elderly parents can remain longer in their situation, experts say.

See article by John Richardson:

http://www.pressherald.com/news/caregivers-can-get-help-for-parents-who-need-it_2011-06-12.html

]]>Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[IRS household employee tax guide (IRS Publication 926 for 2011)]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/06/09/Caregiver_Agreements/IRS_household_employee_tax_guide_(IRS_Publication_926_for_2011)_bl2328.htm When working with caregiver agreements, it is important to remember the tax implications.  This link takes you to the IRS guide for wages paid in 2011.

If you pay a household worker $1,700 or more in cash wages during 2011, you must deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes and report the wages once a year. This includes reporting any cash you pay to cover the cost of the employee’s transportation, meals or housing. If you do not report the wages on time, you may have to pay a penalty in addition to the overdue taxes.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p926.pdf

]]>Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs<![CDATA[Website for "Children of Aging Parents" offers resources]]>http://mainecenterforelderlaw.com/lawyer/2011/05/15/Caregiver_Resources/Website_for__Children_of_Aging_Parents__offers_resources_bl2223.htm The website for Children of Aging Parents is a place to find community and resources.  View the website at http://www.caps4caregivers.org/.

]]>Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 GMTBlogs