General

One of the most popular, and important, components of a comprehensive estate plan is Medicaid planning. You may have made it through several decades without ever needing to qualify for Medicaid; however, that could change rapidly once you reach your retirement years if you need long-term care. You may have also heard several disconcerting things about Medicaid eligibility, most of which likely revolve around the loss of assets because of the need to qualify for Medicaid. If you have a 401(k) … [Read more...] about Does My 401(k) Account Count for Medicaid Eligibility?

As much as we prefer not to think about it, the reality is that the longer we live, the greater the odds are that we will need some type of care. The idea of ending up in a nursing home facility probably does not sit well with you. The good news is that there are numerous options for senior care that might help you avoid, or at least put-off, the need for nursing home care. Toward that end, the Essex Junction elder law attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explain various senior care options that … [Read more...] about Senior Care Options

A common misperception about estate planning is the belief that it does not become necessary until you marry and/or become a parent. This simply is not true. To make sure you understand when and why you need to start estate planning, an Essex Junction estate planning attorney at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explains why you need an estate plan even if you are single without children. Estate Planning Is about More than Just Planning for Your Death The mistaken belief that estate planning is all … [Read more...] about Do I Need an Estate Plan If I’m Single Without Children?

One of the most difficult decisions you may ever be faced with is choosing a nursing home for your parent. Recognizing that nursing home care is necessary to keep your parent safe and healthy does not make the task much easier. Once the decision has been made, however, the next step is to choose the best facility. The process of choosing a nursing home can be emotionally and physically exhausting given that your parent’s health and happiness are at stake. To get you started, the Essex Junction … [Read more...] about How to Pick the Right Nursing Home

If you were recently appointed to be the Trustee of a trust and you have never served as a Trustee, you likely have several questions about your duties and responsibilities as a Trustee. Whether or not you need to hire an attorney to help you administer the trust is probably at the top of that list of questions. There is no legal requirement obligating a Trustee to retain the services of an attorney; however, the Essex Junction trust administration attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explain … [Read more...] about Should I Hire a Lawyer to Help Me Administer a Trust?

There is a significant chance you will need to qualify for Medicaid during your retirement years to cover the high cost of long-term care. If so, the Medicaid eligibility guidelines could prevent you from qualifying if you did not plan accordingly. To help make sure you are eligible if you need to qualify, the Essex Junction Medicaid planning attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explain the Vermont Medicaid eligibility guidelines for seniors. Why Would I Need Medicaid When I Am a … [Read more...] about Vermont Medicaid Eligibility for Seniors

If you have a parent, grandparent, or other older family member who is starting to show signs of physical and/or mental deterioration, the fear of Alzheimer’s may loom large. Maybe your loved one has already been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia and you do not know what to expect in the future. Although we often use the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably, they are not the same thing. An Essex Junction elder law attorney at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explains dementia and … [Read more...] about Are Alzheimer’s and Dementia the Same Thing?

Despite understanding the importance of having an estate plan, over half of all Americans do not have one. At least one reason for this phenomenon is the simple fact that estate planning can seem rather mysterious and confusing to the average person. Both the tools and concepts used in estate planning are things most people have never come across before and, therefore, know nothing about. To help take some of the mystery out of creating an estate plan, the Essex Junction estate planning … [Read more...] about Common Estate Planning Questions Answered

For many people, a primary reason for creating an estate plan is to ensure that their spouse is protected in the event something happens to them. If that is one of your primary goals, and you are married to a non-citizen, the need for asset protection strategies within your estate plan is heightened. Unlike many married couples who can always fall back on the unlimited marital deduction to transfer assets to a spouse tax-free, your estate could lose a considerable amount of its assets to estate … [Read more...] about How to Provide for Your Non-Citizen Spouse in Your Estate Plan

Elder law is one of the newest areas of the law. Although elder law is a relatively new area of law, it is fast becoming a much sought-after and necessary area of the law given the exploding elderly population in the United States. As the Baby Boomers move into their retirement years, the sheer number of older Americans has created a need for attorneys who specialize in legal issues that impact the elderly. Whether you are an older individual yourself, or a caregiver for an elderly loved one, … [Read more...] about How Can an Elder Law Attorney Help Me?