March 19, 2015

Proposed Changes to the VA Pension Eligibility Rules

Wartime Veterans over the age of 65 and surviving spouses of wartime Veterans, please read the following article posted by the Elder Counsel. Strohschein Law Group is an active member of this organization and found this information to be valuable to the community. The proposed regulations are open to public comment through March 24, 2015. We hope this article is helpful, and if you have any questions at all please contact our VA accredited attorney, Linda Strohschein at 630-377-3241.

Care Coordination

March 5, 2015

Mom Needs to Move Closer? Time to Protect Her Assets

The cost of long term care is more than just financial. Our aging loved ones face the challenge of change and the caregivers add more to their plate of responsibility. To lessen financial and emotional stress, Strohschein Law Group can help you maximize private assets, increase access to public benefits, and ultimately enhance quality of life for everyone involved. We can help, we do this everyday for our clients.

Estate and Trust Administration

December 22, 2014

Family Strife over Elder Care?

Some families can work out these issues on their own, but many cannot, and the disagreements or hurts either fester or break out into open conflict and, occasionally, litigation. Resolution through mediation can bring much better results.

Estate and Trust Administration

October 6, 2014

Elderly Couple May Be on the Hook for Adult Son’s Medical Bills

Illinois is not a state with filial responsibility laws, however 28 states currently have filial responsibility laws. These laws usually make adult children responsible for their parents’ care if their parents can’t afford to take care of themselves, but some of the laws also make parents responsible for their childrens’ care. Where do your parents live?

Estate and Trust Administration

September 22, 2014

Medicare Increases Coverage of Mental Health Services

Medicare has increased the amount of mental health coverage beneficiaries are entitled to. After years of unequal treatment, Medicare now covers mental health care the same way it covers physical illnesses.

Estate and Trust Administration

September 15, 2014

What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid in the Context of Long-Term Care?

Although their names are confusingly alike, Medicaid and Medicare are quite different programs. Both programs provide health coverage, but Medicare is an “entitlement” program, meaning that everyone who reaches age 65 and is entitled to receive Social Security benefits also receives Medicare.

Estate and Trust Administration

September 5, 2014

Six Things to Consider Before Making Gifts to Grandchildren

Grandparents often are particularly generous to grandchildren as they see their family’s legacy continuing on to a new generation. In many cases, grandparents feel they have ample resources and their children or grandchildren may be struggling financially. Consider these six issues before writing those checks.

Estate and Trust Administration

August 28, 2014

How to Protect an IRA From Heirs’ Creditors

When a person declares bankruptcy, an individual retirement account (IRA) is one of the assets that is beyond the reach of creditors, but what about an IRA that has been inherited?

Estate and Trust Administration

August 22, 2014

What Happens to Your Debts When You Die?

When you die, your debts do not expire with you. Most debt still needs to be paid off, if possible, although who is responsible for paying the debt depends on the type of debt, and some assets are protected from being used to satisfy a debt.

Estate and Trust Administration

August 12, 2014

Three Reasons Why Joint Accounts May Be a Poor Estate Plan

Many people, especially seniors, see joint ownership of investment and bank accounts as a cheap and easy way to avoid probate since joint property passes automatically to the joint owner at death. Consider these three potential drawbacks before signing on the dotted line.