tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233745762024-03-05T01:13:53.903-05:00Ohio Elder Law and Estate PlanningNews and Discussion on Ohio Elder Law and Estate Planning, including Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance, Wills, Living Trusts, Guardianship, Healthcare Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, HIPAA, Probate, and more by Columbus, Ohio Estate Planning Lawyer Russell C. Golowin.
For more, visit ColumbusElderLawAttorney.com or call (614) 453-5208Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-58866256615407860372019-12-15T09:20:00.001-05:002019-12-15T09:41:59.696-05:00What are the 2020 VA Aid and Attendance Pension Rates?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What are the 2020 VA Aid and Attendance Pension Rates?</b><br />
<br />
For 2020, the Maximum Allowable Pension Rates (MAPR) for the VA Basic Pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance ratings have increased from 2019 due to the 1.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As indicated below, the maximum monthly pension payable to a ma</span>rried veteran in need of Aid and Attendance is $2,266 per month. The maximum monthly payment to a surviving spouse is $1,229.<br />
<br />
The Net Worth Bright-Line Limit effective 12/1/2019 is $129,094, and the Penalty Period Rate is $2,266. Follow this link to learn more about the <a href="http://2018%20changes%20to%20va%20aid%20and%20attendance%20pension%20rule/" target="_blank">VA Aid and Attendance Look-Back Period and Penalty Period</a>, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
See the table below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 475px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Approx. Monthly Benefit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$13,752<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,146<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$18,008<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,501<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$16,805<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,400<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$21,063<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,755<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$22,939</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,912<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$27,195</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,266<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Each additional child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,351<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$196<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$9,224<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$769<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$10,273<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$856<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$14,742<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,229<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,351<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$196<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(234, 241, 221); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran Married to Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Both Aid and Attendance)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$36,387<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$3,032<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><br /></em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Golowin Legal, LLC provides Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance Pension planning to families in the central Ohio area. If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse and is paying for in-home, assisted living or nursing home care, call us at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"> today to inquire about eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Visit our website for more information on <a href="https://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/practice-areas/va-aid-and-attendance/" target="_blank">VA Aid and Attendance Pension Planning</a>.</em></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com35060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.079620899999988 -83.12607170000001140.079241399999987 -83.126702200000011 40.080000399999989 -83.125441200000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-26374125749156121632018-09-19T14:41:00.000-05:002018-09-19T14:41:06.992-05:002018 Changes to VA Aid and Attendance Pension Rule<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdooQTNUyBs-f3VZ7Qc1caX1KR6QTfSX7xCi9sEROKEGV2EIUnKAchzN9nzBwowomwyqzqjL1rmElArhKx07Bu-Zc9MzenjhjzvR_IzFyuQKzIoYlttfkFSUdcqloZjAKr9Qj/s1600/New-Rule-Change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="629" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdooQTNUyBs-f3VZ7Qc1caX1KR6QTfSX7xCi9sEROKEGV2EIUnKAchzN9nzBwowomwyqzqjL1rmElArhKx07Bu-Zc9MzenjhjzvR_IzFyuQKzIoYlttfkFSUdcqloZjAKr9Qj/s200/New-Rule-Change.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>The Veterans Administration (VA) has changed their non-service connected pension benefit (sometimes called “Aid and Attendance”) eligibility rules.</b><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>These changes will take effect October 18, 2018</em>.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<strong>NET WORTH LIMIT</strong></h2>
The new net worth limit will be the maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) that is used by the Medicaid program. Currently, this is $123,600.<br />
<br />
The old rule considered life expectancy, negative monthly cash flow, and other similar factors. Often an $80,000 limit was referred to even though this was never supported by the rules.<br />
<br />
Now that there is a set net worth limit, there will be less confusion concerning who is eligible. Hopefully this will help make the application process quicker. All claimants will need to have $123,600 or less in order to qualify. If they have more than this limit, they will need to decrease their net worth to be eligible for pension.<br />
<h2>
<strong>LOOK-BACK AND PENALTY PERIODS</strong></h2>
There will now be a period of ineligibility imposed if a claimant makes an uncompensated transfer during the 3-year lookback period. An uncompensated transfer might be moving money into an irrevocable trust or an immediate annuity.<br />
<br />
If a claimant made an uncompensated transfer during the 36-month lookback period, the penalty period will begin the month after the last transfer occurred. The maximum penalty period will be 5 years (60 months).<br />
<br />
The penalty period will be determined by taking the total of the uncompensated transfers during the lookback period and dividing it by the Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR) in effect on the date of the pension claim at the aid and attendance level for a veteran with one dependent. This MAPR is currently $2,169.<br />
<br />
For example, if a claimant had gifted his son $32,550* two years before filing the “Aid and Attendance” claim, he would be ineligible for pension for the next 15 months ($32,550/$2,169=15 months).<br />
<br />
*Only transfers above the net worth limit will be penalized.<br />
<br />
<strong>PURCHASING AN ANNUITY</strong><br />
A quick way to gain eligibility for VA pension used to be purchasing an immediate annuity. However, now assets moved into an annuity to spend down net worth will be penalized if the annuity cannot be liquidated. Also, the monthly income from the annuity will be considered income.<br />
<br />
Therefore, purchasing an immediate annuity is no longer an attractive option.<br />
<h2>
<strong>I</strong><strong style="color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">RREVOCABLE TRUSTS</strong></h2>
Irrevocable trusts have been used to reduce net worth as well, but now those transfers will be penalized if made within 36 months of filing a claim.<br />
<br />
While the new rules make irrevocable trusts less immediately effective, they will still be an effective planning tool. A claimant can create a trust, transfer assets to it, and then wait 36 months to file a claim. As long as their assets are below the limit at the time of the claim, they should be approved.<br />
<h2>
<strong>SPENDING DOWN NET WORTH</strong></h2>
If a claimant has more than $123,600, but does not have enough excess assets to justify creating an irrevocable trust, they should focus on spending their assets down.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, “in the absence of clear and convincing evidence showing otherwise, an asset transfer made during the look-back period was for the purpose of decreasing net worth to establish pension entitlement.” This means that any transfer not made for fair market value will be penalized, if the amount is over the CSRA limit.<br />
<br />
The good news is that purchases for fair market value for the veteran or surviving spouse are allowed. This means that purchases of home repairs, vehicles, medical equipment, clothing, electronics, vacations, etc. are all permissible as long as they are used for the claimant (you can’t buy a cruise ticket for your son).<br />
<h2>
<strong>SUMMARY</strong></h2>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Net worth limit is $123,600 (2018).Claimants that transferred assets within the last three years (36 months) will now be subject to a period of ineligibility (“penalty period”)</li>
<li>Immediate annuities will be penalized if purchased within the three-year lookback period</li>
<li>Transfers to irrevocable trusts will be penalized if within the three-year lookback period</li>
<li>Allowable ways to spend down assets are to spend them on items or services that are purchased at fair market value for the veteran or surviving spouse</li>
</ul>
<br />
This is a very significant change in the VA rules that will affect many veterans and surviving spouses that are in need of in-home, assisted living, or nursing home care.<br />
<br />
Now more than ever, it is important to consider long-term care insurance and work with an elder law attorney to design an appropriate plan before the need for long-term care arises.<br />
<br />
If you need assistance, please <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/?page_id=34" target="_blank">contact Golowin Legal</a> to schedule a one-hour meeting to discuss your goals.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>These rules were published in the Federal Register as "<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/09/18/2018-19895/net-worth-asset-transfers-and-income-exclusions-for-needs-based-benefits">Net Worth, Asset Transfers, and Income Exclusions for Needs-Based Benefits</a>" on on September 18, 2018.</i></span><br />
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.079620899999988 -83.12607170000001140.079241399999987 -83.126702200000011 40.080000399999989 -83.125441200000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-40129898300012114592018-07-23T10:48:00.001-05:002018-07-23T10:48:49.475-05:00Estate Planning In Second Marriage Situations<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vkps4E8p1dGDMzRrpYQey0bN-SqXunWtGBSvCHgo9RDYC4UDTFEJ8yCTrUOEb-2jNyUtK_znzKZXX4Sdwju3vMjfMuyz_CABXwbD5Nl6wC59H0nGjIdkmdDZz_nY6n36sYZH/s1600/Second+Marriage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vkps4E8p1dGDMzRrpYQey0bN-SqXunWtGBSvCHgo9RDYC4UDTFEJ8yCTrUOEb-2jNyUtK_znzKZXX4Sdwju3vMjfMuyz_CABXwbD5Nl6wC59H0nGjIdkmdDZz_nY6n36sYZH/s320/Second+Marriage.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Estate planning is critical in second marriage situations. </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Meeting or knowing people who are on
their second or third marriage isn’t exactly uncommon nowadays. Many of us also know that remarriages entail a lot of adjustments and sometimes complications,
especially when there are kids involved. Simply put, blending of two families
together can be pretty challenging.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> With all the challenges and concerns
on the surface of every remarriage, estate planning is often forgotten or set
aside by many couples. But with the merging of two families, concerns and
challenges about financial, legal and estate planning multiply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> The following are some of the issues
you should take note of, as explained by Mark Eghrari, and elder law attorney
in Long Island, in his article <i><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/markeghrari/2017/06/02/second-marriage-and-estate-planning-5-things-you-may-not-have-considered/#1fd230981db1">Second
Marriage And Estate Planning: 5 Things You May Not Have Considered</a></i>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T_oEOFBAvqfV_6fW4dLeeM9UesPiRwzYnfpAz64CvXEKVlhCb9Z7Jm8f09B3I4FDSiIhm9iK1Mk_chVqmRazlZ5I7DIsWv6HV0pgQcF5bwrvdbPpLqVRaYTfZ4tAzEuDJ_tc/s1600/Second+Marriages+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T_oEOFBAvqfV_6fW4dLeeM9UesPiRwzYnfpAz64CvXEKVlhCb9Z7Jm8f09B3I4FDSiIhm9iK1Mk_chVqmRazlZ5I7DIsWv6HV0pgQcF5bwrvdbPpLqVRaYTfZ4tAzEuDJ_tc/s400/Second+Marriages+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Income and assets that are combined in second
marriages may be at risk, if one of you still has financial issues and entanglements
with a former spouse. Creditors may come for you to hold you liable of an old
debt, as they “are not always bound by divorce settlements,” Mark said. To
avoid complications, you may opt to keep you and your spouse’s money separate. <br />
<br />
*If you are considering creating a joint trust, you may want to read one of my old
blogs: <i><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2008/11/should-i-create-joint-trust-should-we.html">Should
I Create a Joint Trust? (Should We Have One Trust or Two?)</a></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YP_rNUtGG5bQUWTv3UO7LyJEqx3CbDRdzT2Ufeu6Jw54Ae1sNUbgr-VmTdgoOqgwmMSxrFzaN6ysuZtW4QHG9SwQxIpMw7-pAPdvAB3SGHH38TbeWHU3DBAKuMJ9GwOcpHkN/s1600/Second+Marriages+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YP_rNUtGG5bQUWTv3UO7LyJEqx3CbDRdzT2Ufeu6Jw54Ae1sNUbgr-VmTdgoOqgwmMSxrFzaN6ysuZtW4QHG9SwQxIpMw7-pAPdvAB3SGHH38TbeWHU3DBAKuMJ9GwOcpHkN/s400/Second+Marriages+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You also should understand the status of your
properties after remarrying. Mark explains that in a community property state, those
you receive before the marriage remain yours, while those you acquire after become
co-owned by you and your spouse. On the other hand, “ownership is controlled by
titles, registrations, or ownership documents” in a common law state. To help
you decide on matters regarding these properties and in connection with your
estate plan, you should see professional advice from a lawyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGF_gXbKm4w2mvSvHMii2tJ59V-mjBNFEavq3xpgJvbQ752qScXwgLfvzS_fX2LHs8InOXRV1p1LX7HvWU33ZnyUjrpBdkeNH_3OAgdt0LuB9SueCaL19nubu17xnmoaO0t_b/s1600/Second+Marriages+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGF_gXbKm4w2mvSvHMii2tJ59V-mjBNFEavq3xpgJvbQ752qScXwgLfvzS_fX2LHs8InOXRV1p1LX7HvWU33ZnyUjrpBdkeNH_3OAgdt0LuB9SueCaL19nubu17xnmoaO0t_b/s400/Second+Marriages+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A Trust will sufficiently protect assets in case one
of the spouses marries again after the other’s death. Protection for the separate
assets of spouse’s children may be set up, as preferred. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwWhXIn9KACIC9u9egy8Qw5qYR9gUqZKSYwiT4lPuGjGcSS5JUAHRcL_tjVlL1LXDG6Hxtv7PB_3cHqD9lQ4wv1DLX0FU8D-Pisz60ogrzKWsBwQXL-JCLZqeGVT4OdF3mWkI/s1600/Second+Marriages+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwWhXIn9KACIC9u9egy8Qw5qYR9gUqZKSYwiT4lPuGjGcSS5JUAHRcL_tjVlL1LXDG6Hxtv7PB_3cHqD9lQ4wv1DLX0FU8D-Pisz60ogrzKWsBwQXL-JCLZqeGVT4OdF3mWkI/s400/Second+Marriages+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Complications may happen if a Trust isn’t set up
with specific wishes regarding the inheritance of the children. Do the children
of the first spouse need to wait for the second spouse to die before they get
their inheritance? Does the new spouse get to decide who will inherit the joint
assets? All these should be explicitly stated in the Trust, to avoid unintentionally
disinheriting your children from your previous marriage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxvf0gLleNYhJElNw0of6DBzWz3b3B_aQZDXu_Z4Q5onS0fhGGH2oV5iGAdzRsGp9Nu-C1emT7WpgG9_mFAgzc_M_mAhErzL__fLHjCK180Zjugq8C6S2z5XwBvxW0MqYK6YW/s1600/Second+Marriages+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxvf0gLleNYhJElNw0of6DBzWz3b3B_aQZDXu_Z4Q5onS0fhGGH2oV5iGAdzRsGp9Nu-C1emT7WpgG9_mFAgzc_M_mAhErzL__fLHjCK180Zjugq8C6S2z5XwBvxW0MqYK6YW/s400/Second+Marriages+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whether
the surviving spouse be allowed to stay in the home or not is a concern for blended
families. What resolves this is again, putting the home in a Trust. According
to Mark, many couples do that “for the benefit of the surviving spouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With
the different new adjustments in every remarriage, always consider to revise
your estate plan (if you already have one) or seek legal advice to set it up. Remember
that it isn’t an easy process—you may experience <a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2008/09/couples-pitfalls-when-estate-planning.html">pitfalls
in setting up your estate plan in a second marriage</a>—but it is necessary
step that no couples of remarriages should overlook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave., Ste A, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.079620899999988 -83.12607170000001140.079241399999987 -83.126702200000011 40.080000399999989 -83.125441200000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-42449876445538126332018-01-31T17:02:00.000-05:002018-10-01T17:13:04.950-05:002018 VA Aid and Attendance Pension Rates<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What are the 2018 VA Aid and Attendance Pension rates?</b><br />
<br />
For 2018, the Maximum Allowable Pension Rates (MAPR) for the VA Basic Pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance ratings have increased from 2017.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As indicated below, the maximum monthly pension payable to a married veteran in need of Aid and Attendance is $2,169 per month. The maximum monthly payment to a surviving spouse is $1,176.<br />
<br />
See the table below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 475px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Approx. Monthly Benefit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$13,166<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,097<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$17,241<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,436<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$16,089<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,340<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$20,166<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,680<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$21,962<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,830<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$26,036<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,169<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Each additional child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,250<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$187<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$8,830<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$735<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$10,792<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$899<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$14,113<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,176<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,250<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$187<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(234, 241, 221); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran Married to Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Both Aid and Attendance)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$34,837<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,903<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><br /></em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Golowin Legal, LLC provides Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance Pension planning to families in the central Ohio area. If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse and is paying for in-home, assisted living or nursing home care, call us at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"> today to inquire about eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Visit our website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank">VA Aid and Attendance Pension Planning</a>.</em></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com15060 Parkcenter Ave Ste. A, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.079620899999988 -83.12607170000001140.079241399999987 -83.126702200000011 40.080000399999989 -83.125441200000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-30652774609537714022017-09-19T10:31:00.000-05:002017-09-19T10:31:00.166-05:00How To Name Legal Guardians For Kids<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For parents, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">naming a legal
guardian for your children </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">can be the hardest estate planning decision to make</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. The guardian is the person that will raise your child(ren) if mom and dad both pass away or are incapacitated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncroRjP-kPWl7PzyIxNrDDF0p-Kc42QRc8jWhOICQmRxfofRfduub1SCLuQCZgvCM7EN16vMHnp1LLV7rDoLKdmXBNRyIW6FMGdup2sX_VQq_xykp2zOwA2Yis23zC_qjwuee/s1600/jordan-whitt-145327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncroRjP-kPWl7PzyIxNrDDF0p-Kc42QRc8jWhOICQmRxfofRfduub1SCLuQCZgvCM7EN16vMHnp1LLV7rDoLKdmXBNRyIW6FMGdup2sX_VQq_xykp2zOwA2Yis23zC_qjwuee/s320/jordan-whitt-145327.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In her article “<a href="https://tomorrow.me/trust-worthy/true-stories/choosing-legal-guardians-for-children-mothers-thoughts/?utm_content=bufferd3e12&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer">Choosing
Legal Guardians for Your Children? A Mother’s Thoughts</a>,” Maran Hanley says that many of
the families she interviewed were having trouble selecting a guardian
due to <i>emotional reasons, including “guilt,
fear, and the unknown.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Maran points out that naming a guardian is often a sticking point for parents. While some people are<i> fortunate enough to have a good
number of family members or friends to choose from, other people do not have that
advantage</i><b>.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">According to
her,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">"One young family struggled selecting a guardian because neither parent
had a sibling qualified for the responsibility of raising their children: one
with serious medical struggles, and another with Autism Spectrum Disorder."</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But guess
what? </span><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">That family still chose a legal guardian. </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">They chose the kids’
maternal grandmother, “due to her familiarity with and love for the children,”
as stated in the article.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Here we see the importance of deciding to select a
legal guardian despite a setback. If you have a challenge of this
kind also, you should not let that stop you from naming a guardian. This is because if you do not name a guardian for your child, the court will have to make a decision for you...and the judge does not know anything about who you may or may not have wanted to choose!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdrJJAFH0nzRHnkrlMCn75wkYVl4DUBXOLrbsrYEK-KKnGfcNKOtu8U5hWa878-BCYX5isxsugscYmnjDFLwhQ5EPIhgBqVStfFIcM1C279Ce2raDfVkpJzykSpGsaK3j3dWZ/s1600/katie-chase-96270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdrJJAFH0nzRHnkrlMCn75wkYVl4DUBXOLrbsrYEK-KKnGfcNKOtu8U5hWa878-BCYX5isxsugscYmnjDFLwhQ5EPIhgBqVStfFIcM1C279Ce2raDfVkpJzykSpGsaK3j3dWZ/s320/katie-chase-96270.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What about naming a guardian that has their own children? The article mentioned that some parents worry that the guardian may “prioritize a natural loyalty to their own kids” or take a different parenting style with your children (more strict or more lax). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yet as Maran said so
herself, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zP2ORX8-6GKV-qTXgEElGG7Cl9291t2G6vG4oFj66ndjdPoylUWSE_tH7tVwOtyn-AG6VNcZFB88lN7z6W_ywil7pGgjgTD_L5ZQppDdeE5PKrOTNMiwE2JF9iNL7Nxg303t/s1600/%25E2%2580%259CAlthough+there+may+not+be+a+perfect+choice%252C+there+can+be+a+best+choice+for+now.%25E2%2580%259D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zP2ORX8-6GKV-qTXgEElGG7Cl9291t2G6vG4oFj66ndjdPoylUWSE_tH7tVwOtyn-AG6VNcZFB88lN7z6W_ywil7pGgjgTD_L5ZQppDdeE5PKrOTNMiwE2JF9iNL7Nxg303t/s400/%25E2%2580%259CAlthough+there+may+not+be+a+perfect+choice%252C+there+can+be+a+best+choice+for+now.%25E2%2580%259D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b>And you, as a
parent, have to make that choice.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Maran disclosed
how her family went about their selection process for a guardian:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">My husband and I came to a
consensus about our <u>most important family values</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We listed <u>all possible candidates</u>
from the pool of family and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We discussed each candidate
relative to our family values and <u>made the best decision we could with the
information available</u> and the beliefs we hold important.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She also shared
other ideas that have helped other couples: spreadsheets, lists, discussions,
surveys, understanding emotional block, and connecting with friends, among
others. You can follow what Maran and her husband did, try these others things and find what works for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When you’ve
tried everything and still have a very hard time deciding, let me tell you what
I said a few years back on my blog “<a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-to-do-if-you-cant-decide-who-to.html">What
To Do If You Can't Decide Who To Name As Guardians For Your Kids</a>”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">If you
don't decide, a Judge will</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Even
your worst choice would be better than that, right?</span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So go on and
make that choice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Here’s another
important thing other couples might overlook--<b>Your role does not end on just choosing the legal guardian. You have to
formalize your decision.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Your choice of
guardian and other specific wishes regarding the care that your children would
get after you are gone would be good as nothing when you don’t put it in legal
writing. Talk to your lawyer and legally document that decision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For even more, like why you should name <a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2008/09/grave-issue-of-parenting-writing-wills.html" target="_blank">short-term emergency guardians for children</a>, click the link!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Golowin Legal works with many parents of young children. As part of the estate planning process, we ensure that parents have named emergency and permanent guardians for minor children. Call us today at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208 to schedule an meeting</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">. Visit our website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank">Estate Planning for Parents in Columbus, Ohio</a>.</em></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.0796309 -83.12604329999999240.0792514 -83.126673799999992 40.0800104 -83.125412799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-34448127848930854362017-09-12T11:47:00.000-05:002017-09-12T11:52:08.511-05:00The Danger Of Do-It-Yourself Wills<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The internet is a wonderful information sharing tool. The ability to easily research nearly any topic enabled me to fix my dishwasher and make other repairs that I would not have known how to do without the internet. Unfortunately, this access to information promotes people people falling into the trap of thinking it is simple to create vital estate planning documents themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A great example of a document that seems simple to create is a Will. R</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ecently I posted about
the </span><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2017/08/half-of-adult-americans-dont-have-will_24.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">importance
and urgency of getting a will</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, but a Do-It-Yourself Will (DIY) is not the way to go in all but the most simple situations. Even then, I urge you to think twice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You might think you can never go wrong if you just strictly follow
an online format or an example of a will from the internet, but many
people have tried going this path and ended up risking their assets and dragging
their family into a winding legal battle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0L2oKWA-uOAv1mDDENPEfe2s06Cj54TaEYIcav1iyERTRzPkfy16vC6MmjSvYNSqOsw_aV-RE9EVnIjlH0J-1YLQ3cLxn84iM5rsHXk8yvueIWF5XksFTLAMcx0YRwOKOfba/s1600/blog+3+main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="945" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0L2oKWA-uOAv1mDDENPEfe2s06Cj54TaEYIcav1iyERTRzPkfy16vC6MmjSvYNSqOsw_aV-RE9EVnIjlH0J-1YLQ3cLxn84iM5rsHXk8yvueIWF5XksFTLAMcx0YRwOKOfba/s400/blog+3+main.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are thinking about what the dangers of DIY
wills could be, here are a few real life examples. Author Deborah Jacobs called them “DIY horror stories” in her article </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/2010/09/07/do-it-yourself-will-mishaps-personal-finances-estate-lawyers-overcharge.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Case Against Do-It-Yourself Wills</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b>#1</b> <b>Charles Kuralt</b>,
the CBS News correspondent and anchor</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Several weeks before he died in
1997, he penned a note to Patricia Elizabeth Shannon, his mistress for 29
years, promising to leave her 90 acres and a renovated schoolhouse near the
Montana fishing retreat where they spent time together.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Kuralt’s death, <b>his family and Shannon spent six years in
court</b> fighting over whether this note was a valid amendment to the 1994
will that a lawyer had prepared, or simply a promise to revise the document–a
promise that Kuralt never carried out. Without ruling on this issue, a Montana <i>court awarded Shannon the $600,000 property
but stuck Kuralt’s family with all the estate taxes</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>#2 Wealthy Texan </u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“A wealthy Texan who tried to save
a few bucks <b>wound up forfeiting his $3.5
million federal estate tax exemption</b>. Using a form he <i>copied from a library book</i>, this guy cobbled together a will,
leaving everything–a cool $7 million–to his wife. There was no estate tax due
at that point because assets left to a citizen spouse (or to charity) generally
aren’t subject to the tax. But anything left when she died, less her own
exemption amount, could be taxable as part of her estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To fix the problem after the
husband died, William Wollard, a lawyer with his own practice in McKinney,
Texas, recommended the <b>wife disclaim (or
turn down) the entire $3.5 million exemption amount</b>, allowing it to pass
under state law, estate-tax free to the couple’s three adult sons. The assets
she chose to disclaim were most of the ranch land the couple owned, and a large
sum of cash.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>#3 Father Estranged From His Son</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Dad bought DIY will software from
a big-box store and, following the prompts, listed his assets, but omitted some
important ones: small numbers of shares of various phone company stocks that he
had bought many years earlier. Those shares, which probably once seemed like
tiddlywinks, had burgeoned in value because of mergers and stock splits and
were worth more than $1.5 million, comprising most of Dad’s estate, by the time
he died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, <i>the DIY will did not include what’s called a residuary
clause–indicating how to distribute what is left after estate expenses,
creditors and taxes have been paid and gifts of specific items or sums of money
have been satisfied</i>. So guess what happened? The stocks passed according to
the law of intestacy, and <b>the son, who
the father wanted to disinherit, walked away with almost $400,000</b>. To make
matters worse, <i>he had a substance abuse
problem and blew through the money in less than a year</i>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could go on with many more examples, but the point is that a DIY will is often a disaster waiting to happen. An online DIY
will package or a library template cannot and will never be able to properly
replace having an experienced legal expert to set up your will and other critical estate planning documents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the people in the stories above had only hired a lawyer, they
could have had better estate planning that would have honored their wishes and made
it easier to their family and loved ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Should having a DIY will ever cross your mind, remember that
Timothy E. Kalamaros, a lawyer with his own practice in South Bend, Ind. Compared
DIY wills to <b>“pulling your own tooth with a pair of pliers instead of going to
the dentist.” </b>Yikes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Golowin Legal, LLC helps create Wills and comprehensive Estate Plans in Columbus, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Hilliard and the central Ohio area. If you or a loved one needs assistance
in setting up will or trust, call us at (614) 453 5208 today. Visit our website for more
information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/?page_id=9">Wills
and Estate Planning Documents</a><a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank"></a>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.0796309 -83.12604329999999240.0792514 -83.126673799999992 40.0800104 -83.125412799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-59785896112320032562017-09-05T08:56:00.001-05:002017-09-05T09:14:55.822-05:00There Is More To Estate Planning Than A Will<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While having a will is key in estate planning, people often make the mistake of thinking
that its the only estate planning document they need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Forbes article, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2017/08/16/the-biggest-estate-planning-mistake-people-make/#4926b02b9638">The Biggest Estate Planning Mistake People Make</a> points out that a <i>“will
has little or nothing to do with you,
It’s all about planning for someone else.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b> So,
what is estate planning? </b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6WR-iS2qh4bM8zxTHDPM086WDIx5tMROQZ6yuASvn4FsSY6OZniEPI1liNNezNvmuFGZXqMV3-PDmTYM3CF9Ktdc-hpK-cDSteI2v4vRzHa6tesB4_QJZQpZ-Mm9XcgSTSmS/s1600/blog2+main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="980" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6WR-iS2qh4bM8zxTHDPM086WDIx5tMROQZ6yuASvn4FsSY6OZniEPI1liNNezNvmuFGZXqMV3-PDmTYM3CF9Ktdc-hpK-cDSteI2v4vRzHa6tesB4_QJZQpZ-Mm9XcgSTSmS/s400/blog2+main.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To
guarantee that <i>you</i> are well-covered legally, financially and medically even
when you are debilitated and cannot decide for yourself, make sure to complete
the following five documents in your estate plan:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QkVBz3eiP81sUKSN96Vvzs7dCCZ-I5zINMJ7Z2SjBst1hPMZxNrZaXlcGHwIENg08NgMM_aH4SvJnN1Qe9X0hpLhOHTasBjyF6SK9OCdulfU833hTLdKSK4YC_MphJZkPfRR/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="527" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QkVBz3eiP81sUKSN96Vvzs7dCCZ-I5zINMJ7Z2SjBst1hPMZxNrZaXlcGHwIENg08NgMM_aH4SvJnN1Qe9X0hpLhOHTasBjyF6SK9OCdulfU833hTLdKSK4YC_MphJZkPfRR/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Also known as </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Health Care Power of Attorney or Medical
Power of Attorney, the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Advanced Health Care Directive</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> is one of the <a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2008/10/two-legal-documents-every-adult-needs.html">two legal documents every adult needs</a>.
This document assures you that your chosen and trusted health care agent will be able to make health care decisions for you when you are unable to do so for yourself.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilR4h4B1WGPTTeW2t2ayHMtDAIhEcc7ktJKA8vJd8SaZ_nJS5srnl3SQ90-4YwYNpwAnstaS7LbFbjNisDoYyNIciBpaMWNVjOV_TT-fT8OTylyZkTJaZ6Ao1fAVDQVnTWmwy/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="528" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilR4h4B1WGPTTeW2t2ayHMtDAIhEcc7ktJKA8vJd8SaZ_nJS5srnl3SQ90-4YwYNpwAnstaS7LbFbjNisDoYyNIciBpaMWNVjOV_TT-fT8OTylyZkTJaZ6Ao1fAVDQVnTWmwy/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">A </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Living Will</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> contains your instructions on what actions should be taken if you are permanently unconscious or terminally ill. A Living Will is often signed by persons who do not want the burden of deciding whether to remove life support to be placed on the shoulders of a loved one.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhpMwCczv63m0yglRciqM0RGX89imHHpRkP-9wPUeaZQ1N3GGDhzjqtgaB4Yr4MBj9pB2KXjk-T3oeM-bgds2iyYkYuiCQVs68RDtm63aQMX7ZKNsyQqheZ7y70mLFCxIaPJF/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="528" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhpMwCczv63m0yglRciqM0RGX89imHHpRkP-9wPUeaZQ1N3GGDhzjqtgaB4Yr4MBj9pB2KXjk-T3oeM-bgds2iyYkYuiCQVs68RDtm63aQMX7ZKNsyQqheZ7y70mLFCxIaPJF/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">A</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Durable Power of Attorney (</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">often called a Financial Power of Attorney)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">, on the other
hand, will cover other practical and financial obligations you are incapable of
handling. Again, your chosen and trusted agent will make decisions and do
thing on your behalf, which includes but are not limited to: payment of bills,
taking care of investments and overall financial management.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN4CAp4DO5FBkW2JXAUusQSOO8FnUrkjq_5ThQcrpmSQ7v33VMhSWF7Q0699Kw0ZArrmWR0PFt7hiWjwGuIo7DYJInAf2WiwyC8r7bpTgTxaNdCoBcoP9MLADLFBdz2xgCUa6/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="527" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN4CAp4DO5FBkW2JXAUusQSOO8FnUrkjq_5ThQcrpmSQ7v33VMhSWF7Q0699Kw0ZArrmWR0PFt7hiWjwGuIo7DYJInAf2WiwyC8r7bpTgTxaNdCoBcoP9MLADLFBdz2xgCUa6/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Revocable
Living Trust</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> “acts
like a <i>super</i> power of attorney,” according to Brad Wiewel. It
reduces the possibility of having problems with financial institutions accepting your Durable Power of Attorney and gives you
many other benefits. One main advantage of having a revocable living trust is that assets transferred to the trust avoid probate at death, which keeps details of your estate private and often reduces the cost and time of administration after your death.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you are a long-time
reader of my blogs, you might remember me enumerating the benefits of a
revocable living trust when I discussed the<a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2008/11/discover-flexibility-of-living-trusts.html"> flexibility of living trusts</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">You
must take note though, that even with a living trust, you will still need a Durable
Power of Attorney “to identify the person you want to manage your retirement
accounts, like your 401(k) and your IRAs,” according to the Forbes article.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcS9uCVjUoFRO2Vsaq6m5zqxjuQqWpKYc3JNWI9ML7rqQ_CVQABsLm9qUP6hWnSt1LyKtr6xExU-vvcQodzvkyPkDT1OIgON3fgq1MLJaeOOtTFHArPI3Iud8q6Gz5NSUJDHp/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="528" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcS9uCVjUoFRO2Vsaq6m5zqxjuQqWpKYc3JNWI9ML7rqQ_CVQABsLm9qUP6hWnSt1LyKtr6xExU-vvcQodzvkyPkDT1OIgON3fgq1MLJaeOOtTFHArPI3Iud8q6Gz5NSUJDHp/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">A<b> HIPAA Medical Authorization</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> ensures that the people you name are legally entitled to obtain your protected health information. In other words, it allows your loved ones to be informed of your condition if you have a medical emergency or condition that prevents you from communicating with them directly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAEt6eJh0Od2_vlRfvC6DNYFR4uUASzV1X-8u809iLL-ISEqTxNf8-cteXdyf_YqsIHnrDXy7TQScMQK2Sm-s0XVKUd7P5SPMuFy8Gn6va_IDkvfny-7MjYKQZCiWjYuKdn3P/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="528" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAEt6eJh0Od2_vlRfvC6DNYFR4uUASzV1X-8u809iLL-ISEqTxNf8-cteXdyf_YqsIHnrDXy7TQScMQK2Sm-s0XVKUd7P5SPMuFy8Gn6va_IDkvfny-7MjYKQZCiWjYuKdn3P/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you want want to donate your organs when you die, you need to complete an </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Organ
Donor Registry</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> form.</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">You should also notify the BMV when renewing your driver's license and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">inform your health care agent. To join the organ donor registry, visit <a href="http://www.donatelifeohio.org/register" target="_blank">Donate Life Ohio</a>.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Ready to get your estate planning taken care of? Call me at 614.453.5208 to set up a free 1-hour initial consultation.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Russell C. Golowin helps clients create wills, trusts powers of attorney, HIPAA Medical Authorizations and other estate planning documents in the central Ohio area. </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Visit his website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">estate planning in Columbus, Ohio.</a></em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com15060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.0796309 -83.12604329999999240.0792514 -83.126673799999992 40.0800104 -83.125412799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-23862541201282583892017-08-24T09:59:00.000-05:002017-08-24T09:59:03.705-05:00Half of Adult Americans Don't Have A Will<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A recent survey of Caring.com reveals that <a href="https://www.caring.com/articles/wills-survey-2017">58% of adults in the U.S. do not have a will or living trust</a>. This percentage shows how adults
neglect the importance of estate planning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>If you are part of this population,
read on.</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b> </b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L8Ary6dXwFZgZ56rvOAS9dAPA2m8WEBI6apXxlPVvlIuetwUHITEOXSAWoyZ3WPTWgSK1ZQeEOEfZ9BXWLWnnX5CPece-rV-I0xny6sgp_snE1gKeaFYBJXivPw3ibftyBom/s1600/American+Adults+do+not+have+a+will+because+they+do+not+want+to+think+abour+their+death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1024" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L8Ary6dXwFZgZ56rvOAS9dAPA2m8WEBI6apXxlPVvlIuetwUHITEOXSAWoyZ3WPTWgSK1ZQeEOEfZ9BXWLWnnX5CPece-rV-I0xny6sgp_snE1gKeaFYBJXivPw3ibftyBom/s320/American+Adults+do+not+have+a+will+because+they+do+not+want+to+think+abour+their+death.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I understand that it is easy to put off end-of-life
planning not only for the young, but also for most people who refuse to think
about their mortality. </span><i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">However, this kind of thinking prevents you from making
decisions that will save your loved ones from additional stress during a time
of great grief.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Have you considered setting up a will but never really
acted on it?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Caring.com's survey conducted by </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Princeton Survey Research Associates International found out that </span><a href="https://www.caring.com/articles/estate-planning-by-the-numbers-infographic" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">47% out of 1,003 adults do not have estate planning documents </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">because they “haven’t
gotten around to it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Procrastination is a common hindrance to any kind of
planning, but once you know the burden and stress that a lack of will or living
trust will give to your loved ones, you might reconsider. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">I have previously written a blog post "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2011/01/steps-to-take-when-loved-one-dies.html">Steps To Take When
A Loved One Dies</a>"</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">,
a long list of to-do’s that will definitely exhaust bereaved family members. You
wouldn’t want your loved ones to go through this arduous process while on a
grieving period. If you need a bit of a push to start your estate planning,
think of your loved ones. Do it for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are
you hesitant because of the value of your assets? </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Jody Giles, author of “<a href="http://missingpiecesplan.com/">Missing Pieces Plan: Providing You and Your Loved Ones Peace of Mind</a>” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">says, “Even if
you don’t have the wealth of Steve Jobs or Prince, what you do have means
something to somebody. Regardless of the amount of ‘wealth’ you are passing on,
let it be handed over based on your wishes, not your state’s laws.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still
thinking about it? Here are two more reasons why you should seriously consider
starting your estate planning NOW:</span></span></h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EDo1A6iyYx_GKpb1tAW8_X6m37tr0HzLxKYd7bY15sxNpkVmM411dEAPmR60q_heO6RUdRqttFdnxPA2maZS1MqZF9jm3dV9uNKLs7L3noq7lRinoiQvQ3ScRdBgBzb5gFNc/s1600/will+and+health+care+power+of+attorney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EDo1A6iyYx_GKpb1tAW8_X6m37tr0HzLxKYd7bY15sxNpkVmM411dEAPmR60q_heO6RUdRqttFdnxPA2maZS1MqZF9jm3dV9uNKLs7L3noq7lRinoiQvQ3ScRdBgBzb5gFNc/s400/will+and+health+care+power+of+attorney.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">If you are a parent, you have </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">to ensure that your child will be given the best care</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
even after you are gone by </span>nominating a guardian for your children<span style="font-weight: normal;">. Giles stresses that a will has a critical role for the minor children and all parents need a will, “</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">If for no other reason than the sole purpose of
naming guardians.” This isn’t usually a topic that you or your partner
would comfortably discuss, but it is imperative. You would want to leave your
children under the care of people you trust, and not someone appointed by a
judge.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><ul>
</ul>
</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">You
need to have a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">health care power of attorney</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">. Why? Because when there’s medical emergency and
you are not able to decide for yourself, you want someone that you trust make
the decisions for you. When a child reaches 18 years of age, parents are no longer legally empowered to make medical decisions for their children. In medical emergencies, you may even find it difficult to get updates on your child's condition without an advance health care directive and HIPAA Release.</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Ready
to take the first step but still have questions? Here are some answers to the questions
commonly asked by clients and friends:</span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Isn’t estate planning
too complicated and costly?<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h4 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">It depends. The extent and complexity of your financial situation and your personal goals and wishes directly affect the process of estate
planning. Simple estate planning usually doesn't cost much, but expect higher expenses
when there’s a need to sort out some issues. According to</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Ashley Case, an Arizona-based
tax and estate-planning attorney, “For individuals with modest wealth and
straightforward wishes, a simple estate plan can be prepared quickly and
inexpensively. Some factors that tend to complicate an estate plan include multiple
marriages, children from different relationships, certain business assets, a
higher net-worth, and complex wishes regarding distributions.”</span></h4>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Should I get a
will or a living trust?<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Mark Gilfix, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">an
elderlaw </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">attorney
with Gilfix and La Poll Associates, LLP, suggests that you should choose
living trust over a will. He discussed in a Caring.com video, <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez">Estate Planning: What You Need</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">the
main factors to consider in choosing between a will and a living trust. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12WCWbD8ZTZoPx7ynL3ftezeB0OH4bt_O7EFR7BYegomrkmTzV7iG0VzCW-Q7phX4-2-ut8444YBVBpneSe1qXmP19SpVxOJJ8SS1Blf0BIIpIu9jF8W1htMceOBmnKzGraGA/s1600/will+vs+living+trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12WCWbD8ZTZoPx7ynL3ftezeB0OH4bt_O7EFR7BYegomrkmTzV7iG0VzCW-Q7phX4-2-ut8444YBVBpneSe1qXmP19SpVxOJJ8SS1Blf0BIIpIu9jF8W1htMceOBmnKzGraGA/s400/will+vs+living+trust.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, Giflix emphasized
that having a will is much better than nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">How will I start
with my estate planning?<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Another
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f4NytfZflY">video </a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f4NytfZflY">of Mark Giflix</a> briefly enumerates these steps to follow:<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9-vt9mX13uWRvAneoU1_9jhZiX44J43qxmAUE2Lsef2-OcxyGkRyh_sIDJhl6j_qVa69CNAoSJEWaFuhshPCI7TlWYmWx8P9OIzZgyx1yLKHxiv-cv-x6qZA8n8mEaXG1YJG/s1600/steps+in+starting+estate+planning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1011" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9-vt9mX13uWRvAneoU1_9jhZiX44J43qxmAUE2Lsef2-OcxyGkRyh_sIDJhl6j_qVa69CNAoSJEWaFuhshPCI7TlWYmWx8P9OIzZgyx1yLKHxiv-cv-x6qZA8n8mEaXG1YJG/s400/steps+in+starting+estate+planning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> He mentioned that the first step is to choose a trusted agent (usually chosen from parents, siblings, children and trusted friends). Then the next step would be determining your personal plan for your assets and where you want them to go when you are gone. Lastly, he highlighted the need to work with an expert upfront. </span></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
this guide, you can be more confident in taking the first few steps in implementing your estate plan. Remember that a help of an expert in this field can save you time and give you peace of mind that your documents have been prepared correctly.
This way, you will avoid any possible problems and additional expenses in the
future. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Russell C. Golowin is an Elder Law and Estate Planning
Attorney for families in the Columbus, Ohio area. If you need assistance
with w</span></em><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ills, trusts and other estate planning
documents</span></em><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, call (614) 453-5208 today. Visit
his website for more information on </span></em><a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">estate planning in
Columbus, Ohio</span></i></a><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></em></span></h3>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.0796309 -83.12604329999999240.0792514 -83.126673799999992 40.0800104 -83.125412799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-62225490859175650642016-02-16T13:49:00.000-05:002016-02-16T13:49:00.493-05:002016 VA Aid and Attendance Pension Rates<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYvfjkZwoZia0m1CiU2YLN2FE9LcrngKOVbSI2BugmF09VZjlmuFusdSsaqw87c1prfiZ-FWGfCWNQTn_Z7RUrzBtSdWKGJoNviiDdk4y3KJRhntTQEpu8qgQ3u-GJc2GwpLA/s1600/us-veteran-retirement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYvfjkZwoZia0m1CiU2YLN2FE9LcrngKOVbSI2BugmF09VZjlmuFusdSsaqw87c1prfiZ-FWGfCWNQTn_Z7RUrzBtSdWKGJoNviiDdk4y3KJRhntTQEpu8qgQ3u-GJc2GwpLA/s200/us-veteran-retirement.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>What are the 2016 VA Aid and Attendance Pension rates?</b><br />
<br />
For 2016, the Maximum Allowable Pension Rates (MAPR) for the VA Basic Pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance ratings have stayed the same as in 2015.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As indicated below, the maximum monthly pension payable to a married veteran in need of Aid and Attendance is $2,120 per month. The maximum monthly payment to a surviving spouse is $1,149.<br />
<br />
See the table below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 475px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Approx. Monthly Benefit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$12,868<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,072<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$16,851<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,404<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$15,715<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,310<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$19,710<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,642<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$21,466<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,778<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(219, 229, 241); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$25,448<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,120<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Each additional child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,198<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$183<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Basic Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$8,630<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$719<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Housebound with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$10,548<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$879<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(229, 223, 236); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Aid and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$13,794<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$1,149<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surviving child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,198<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$183<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(234, 241, 221); border: 1pt solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Veteran Married to Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">(Both Aid and Attendance)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$34,050<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0.75pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">$2,837<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><br /></em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Golowin Legal, LLC provides Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance planning to families in the central Ohio area. If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse and is paying for in-home, assisted living or nursing home care, call us at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"> today to inquire about eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Visit our website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank">VA Aid and Attendance Pension Planning</a>.</em></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.0796308 -83.12604320000002615.473090799999998 -124.43463720000003 64.6861708 -41.817449200000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-40624545780608979112016-02-16T12:40:00.000-05:002016-02-16T12:40:13.188-05:00Beneficiary Designations - A Big DealThe linked article from WealthManagement.com asks "<a href="http://wealthmanagement.com/estate-planning/what-big-deal-about-beneficiary-designations" target="_blank">What is the Big Deal About Beneficiary Designations?</a>"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVGj1Z9X1-tIwFRyjO2-ASXf4VMYH3XXpkSgQj8xUGSIpMBzraDac2kS3l6bFJ-lTSjCOdbdUZL0l7DvmeVsPgjWLM86DHqlaYIClfU39ZeGjKkZSDN26xFUfvGiMeOZkRA7a/s1600/Beneficiary_Designation_Form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVGj1Z9X1-tIwFRyjO2-ASXf4VMYH3XXpkSgQj8xUGSIpMBzraDac2kS3l6bFJ-lTSjCOdbdUZL0l7DvmeVsPgjWLM86DHqlaYIClfU39ZeGjKkZSDN26xFUfvGiMeOZkRA7a/s200/Beneficiary_Designation_Form.jpg" width="200" /></a>Whether you've never done any estate planning or you already have a will or trust, naming beneficiaries or updating your old beneficiary designations is absolutely critical!<br />
<br />
Don't understand why it's important?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You might want to read Egelhoff v. Egelhoff, 532.U.S. 141 (2001) and then ask the children of Mr. David A. Eggelhoff. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
After their father divorced Donna Rae Egelhoff (their stepmother), <b>he forgot to update the beneficiary designations</b> on his Boeing retirement funds. Consequently, <b>instead of his children inheriting his retirement funds when he died unexpectedly...his ex-wife did</b>. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In fact, the unanimous opinion of the high court was that federal law governing ERISA retirement plans preempted the contrary state law "disinheriting" ex-spouses. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When people think about estate planning, <b>many overlook the importance of updating beneficiary information on assets like 401(k)s, IRA and life insurance policies</b>. This can lead to serious unintended consequences, to include litigation!</blockquote>
<div>
Failing to set or update beneficiary designations on financial accounts (to match the instructions in the will or trust document) ranks among one of the most common mistakes in estate planning. Don't let an Egelhoff-like disaster happen to your loved ones!</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
Need help with your beneficiary designations? Call <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank">Golowin Legal</a>.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Russell C. Golowin helps clients create wills, trusts and other estate planning documents in the central Ohio area. </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Visit his website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">estate planning in Columbus, Ohio.</a></em></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com05060 Parkcenter Ave, Dublin, OH 43017, USA40.0796308 -83.12604320000002614.557596299999997 -124.43463720000003 65.6016653 -41.817449200000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-9818510676105105862013-08-20T14:49:00.000-05:002016-02-16T12:41:13.006-05:00Guard Your Card To Stop Medicare Fraud<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev5IedifAzWUztWAvv9p60rvRnMjzbcJqG3e8rkT9KTdXw8ET8YWEmq9SAcHvA0ln88D7A9s86gnoQQjUxWmw21WLxz3DHsE7rD8WRe_05wLcg7zCZ6LxEJmJwaBeBtcizS6I/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev5IedifAzWUztWAvv9p60rvRnMjzbcJqG3e8rkT9KTdXw8ET8YWEmq9SAcHvA0ln88D7A9s86gnoQQjUxWmw21WLxz3DHsE7rD8WRe_05wLcg7zCZ6LxEJmJwaBeBtcizS6I/s320/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
The Department of Health and Human Services says that "your Medicare card is as valuable to thieves as your credit cards."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In order to help reduce Medicare Fraud, it offers these tips:<br />
<div>
<ol>
<li>Guard your Medicare number</li>
<li>Be suspicious of anyone who offers free medical equipment or services and then requests your Medicare number</li>
<li>Don't let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare card or your identity</li>
<li>Review your Medicare Summary Notice to be sure you and Medicare are only being charged for actual services</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
For more information, visit <a href="http://stopmedicarefraud.gov/">StopMedicareFraud.gov</a>.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Russell C. Golowin assists seniors in the Columbus, Ohio area with Medicaid planning, estate planning, and other related issues such as Medicare. </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Visit his website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Medicaid planning in Franklin County, Ohio.</a></em></div>
Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com1713 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43206, USA39.9473543 -82.99967449999996914.4253198 -124.30826849999997 65.4693888 -41.69108049999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-31063344581609420142013-07-29T13:34:00.000-05:002017-08-18T10:30:39.314-05:002014 Ohio Homestead Exemption Income Limit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/07/28/tax-law-changes-to-squeeze-seniors.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhQ1mFdtu8A5GEG0MjvI0CIZgO-xSc1j4KN1MR8DqlQA1kF6SxM-w215KsP7hMqk1EJkWZo5iXj7WOjTX-f69Eke_hKKIbmK-GU0b72ANwwLPKoKbU0Hy61JGZcmS8sduurn2/s320/house-poor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since 2007, the <i>Ohio homestead exemption</i> has reduced property taxes for all Ohio homeowners 65 or older, regardless of their income. The average savings per homeowner has been estimated to be about $400 per year, though the <a href="http://www.franklincountyauditor.com/pdf/hs-reduction-estimates.pdf" target="_blank">tax break varied based on local community rates</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, <b>in 2014, the Ohio homestead exemption will have an income limit of $30,000</b>. <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/07/28/tax-law-changes-to-squeeze-seniors.html" target="_blank">Tax-law Changes to Squeeze Seniors</a>, indicates </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[t]he new income limit likely will bring a dramatic drop in the number of Ohioans who qualify. In 2006, when the $26,200 income limit was in place, there were only 1,094 new qualifiers in Franklin County. A year later, after [the income limit was eliminated], there were 37,000 new qualifiers in the county.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is likely that seniors already receiving the homestead exemption when the new law takes effect on January 1, 2014 will continue to receive their tax break regardless of their income</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This means that Ohio seniors who owned and occupied their home as their primary residence as of January 1, 2013 and are 65, or turn 65 by December 31, 2013 should file a homestead exemption Application for 2013 or the prior year (2012) with their county Auditor by Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Failing to file by the end of this year could result in ineligibility due to the 2014 income cap of $30,000.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Franklin County residents may file a homestead exemption by calling the Franklin County Auditor at (<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">614) 525-3240, visiting the office at 373 S. High St., 21st Floor, downloading a hard copy of the <a href="http://www.franklincountyauditor.com/pdf/DTE%20105A%20-%20Homestead.pdf" target="_blank">Ohio homestead exemption application</a>, or <a href="http://www.franklincountyauditor.com/homestead/homestead-application.cfm" target="_blank">filing the Ohio homestead application electronically</a>. For more information, visit the <a href="http://www.franklincountyauditor.com/homestead/homestead-info" target="_blank">Franklin County Auditor's Homestead Information page</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Golowin Legal provides Estate and Medicaid planning services to clients in the Central Ohio area. If you are a senior concerned with protecting your home should you require care in an assisted living facility or nursing home, call us today at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208 to schedule an analysis meeting</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. In most cases, planning can be done to protect a majority of your assets. Visit our website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Medicaid planning in Columbus, Ohio.</a></em>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com1713 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43206, USA39.9473543 -82.99967449999996914.4253198 -124.30826849999997 65.4693888 -41.69108049999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-50415536720577968192013-05-29T10:59:00.000-05:002016-02-16T12:42:37.992-05:00National Record Service, Inc. Deed Service<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPm9B3MgYixRt6RQk7A8eYqaq096uKTD70LErggXVTs9aPh5NwZN7grTo_WkObNVdWa7Sx9zOrhYfXgya7Lvc4q_-UhXckX2WkWYMoQoafyFR4O5PWlnBvLccBFiyHEdoRK_u/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPm9B3MgYixRt6RQk7A8eYqaq096uKTD70LErggXVTs9aPh5NwZN7grTo_WkObNVdWa7Sx9zOrhYfXgya7Lvc4q_-UhXckX2WkWYMoQoafyFR4O5PWlnBvLccBFiyHEdoRK_u/s320/photo.JPG" title="National Record Service Deed Letter" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letter from National Record Service, Inc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you've received a letter like this one from <i>National Record Service, Inc.</i>, don't send in your payment before considering the fact that you can probably get a copy of your deed for free - or much less than the $59.50 that National Record Service charges.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Klamath Falls, Orgegon's Herald and News published an article entitled "<a href="http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/article_d28b4dbc-962a-11df-8fe8-001cc4c03286.html" target="_blank">Deed Scam Circulating</a>," wherein the County Clerk advised <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">"[National Record Service has] every right to provide that service, but it is a scam in the sense that you can get [a copy of your deed] locally for much less."</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Aggravated customers have made <a href="http://www.bbb.org/chicago/business-reviews/financial-services/national-record-service-in-northbrook-il-88018636" target="_blank">102 complaints on the National Record Service Better Business Bureau's page</a>. While I have no personal knowledge of whether NRS provides satisfactory service once a customer orders a deed, it appears that some are either dissatisfied with the service, or frustrated that they paid more than necessary to obtain a copy of their deed.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In many counties in Ohio one can print a copy of their deed in only a few minutes by visiting the County Recorder's webpage online at no charge. For example, here is the <a href="http://recorderweb.co.franklin.oh.us/pax/" target="_blank">Franklin County Recorder's online public record search</a>. In counties that don't have online access, a phone call to the County Recorder will tell you how much they would charge to send a copy, which is usually only a few dollars.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alicia </span>Bodine<span style="font-family: inherit;">, a contributor on the Yahoo! Contributor Network, summed up this issue well in an article she titled "</span><a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/national-deed-service-inc-current-alert-the-576861.html?cat=3" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">National Deed Service, Inc.: A Current Alert with the BBB</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">" when she said "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.09375px;"><b>Bottom line is this: Don't pay hard-earned money for something you can easily get yourself</b>."</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Russell C. Golowin is an Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney for families in the Columbus, Ohio area. If you need assistance with creating a new quit claim deed, survivorship deed, or transfer on death affidavit, call </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> today. Visit his website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">real estate deeds in Columbus, Ohio</a>.</em></div>
Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com1713 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43206, USA39.9473543 -82.99967449999996914.4253198 -124.30826849999997 65.4693888 -41.69108049999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-16518961134037422502013-05-18T07:33:00.000-05:002016-02-16T12:43:29.396-05:00Reporting Someone Who Should Not Be Driving A Car<div class="MsoFooter">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXmEWNSdW-6UIpAdMnV5I1yYgopShj0WZlw0pH2Z49QlAkPrcqdZBopR56MYjmwwhco6xDdYDWRrwi7Uyv2nr3cLao1YsHyZ1GLsV7ZRAiE1X619TAy8WwmW49rTkcl30wPDe/s1600/Bad-Driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXmEWNSdW-6UIpAdMnV5I1yYgopShj0WZlw0pH2Z49QlAkPrcqdZBopR56MYjmwwhco6xDdYDWRrwi7Uyv2nr3cLao1YsHyZ1GLsV7ZRAiE1X619TAy8WwmW49rTkcl30wPDe/s320/Bad-Driver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How can I report someone who shouldn't be driving?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a common question asked by people with family or friends that have displayed diminished driving skills due to physical or mental impairment caused by advancing age, medical, or vision problems.</span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) can require a driver licensed in Ohio to submit a medical statement and/or take an examination if they receive information that gives "good cause to believe" that the driver is incompetent or incapable of driving safely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To request that the BMV require a driver to be </span>re-certified<span style="font-family: inherit;">, submit a written and signed request to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Attention: Driver License Special Case Section/Medical Unit.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>P.O. Box 16784</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Columbus, Ohio 43216-6784</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;">The request may also be faxed attention to "Medical Unit" to (614) 752-7271. The letter</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"> should include a release allowing the BMV to use the your name as their source of information.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The BMV will conduct an investigation to determine if there is sufficient cause to require a medical statement or a driver license examination. If it finds sufficient cause, the BMV will advise the driver that they have received your request and take action.</span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFooter">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, visit the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles <a href="http://bmv.ohio.gov/faq_driver_license.stm#tog" target="_blank">Driver License FAQ page</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Taps Elder Law provides Estate and Medicaid planning services to clients in the Central Ohio area. If you have a family member that is displaying diminished capacity, it is critical for them to update their financial power of attorney, will or trust, and health care documents. Call us today at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">(614) 453-5208</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">. Visit our website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank">estate planning in Columbus, Ohio.</a>.</em></div>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=23374576"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=23374576"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=23374576"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script>
<script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0713 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43206, USA39.9473543 -82.99967449999996914.4253198 -124.30826849999997 65.4693888 -41.69108049999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-56247499250220712592013-01-30T08:55:00.001-05:002016-02-16T12:44:25.174-05:00How Much Is VA Aid and Attendance In 2013?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-8KmYtHqYmeufo87uZLBNAuh39uWtadvX5l31NYMfTdaXih4sCcW891KS9PUO1h6tFolEvJB3NKzuzM0aLcehbrMC5uRR_t_ywKfvXPw14zsCGUzaRsgJF9r65mcCMZvRDcD/s1600/American+Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-8KmYtHqYmeufo87uZLBNAuh39uWtadvX5l31NYMfTdaXih4sCcW891KS9PUO1h6tFolEvJB3NKzuzM0aLcehbrMC5uRR_t_ywKfvXPw14zsCGUzaRsgJF9r65mcCMZvRDcD/s1600/American+Flag.jpg" /></a>One of the first questions people have once they discover that eligible wartime veterans or their surviving spouses can receive a tax-free monthly pension from the VA is "<i><b>How much does the VA Aid and Attendance pension pay</b></i>?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For 2013, the Maximum Allowable Pension Rates (MAPR) for Basic Pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance ratings have increased by 1.7% from the 2012 levels.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As indicated below, the maximum monthly pension payable to a married veteran in need of Aid and Attendance is now $2,054 per month. The maximum monthly payment to a surviving spouse is $1,113. See the table below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 475px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Approx. Monthly Benefit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DBE5F1; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Basic
Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$12,465<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$1,038<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DBE5F1; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Basic
Pension with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$16,324<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$1,360<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DBE5F1; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Housebound
with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$15,233<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$1,268<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DBE5F1; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Housebound
with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$19,093<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$1,591<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DBE5F1; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Aid
and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$20,795<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$1,732<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DBE5F1; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Aid
and Attendance with one dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$24,652<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$2,054<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Each
additional child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$2,093<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$174<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #E5DFEC; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Basic
Pension with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$8,359<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$696<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #E5DFEC; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Housebound
with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$10,217<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$851<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #E5DFEC; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Surviving Spouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Aid
and Attendance with no dependent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$13,362<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$1,113<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Surviving
child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$2,129<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$177<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9D9D9; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #EAF1DD; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="211"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Veteran Married to Veteran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(Both
Aid and Attendance)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$32,100<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">$2,675<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></em>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Golowin Legal, LLC provides Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance planning to families in the central Ohio area. If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse and is paying for in-home, assisted living or nursing home care, call us at </em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(614) 453-5208</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> today to inquire about eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Visit our website for more information on <a href="http://www.columbuselderlawattorney.com/" target="_blank">VA Aid and Attendance Pension Planning</a>.</em></div>
Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com1713 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 4320639.9473543 -82.99967449999996914.4253198 -124.30826849999997 65.4693888 -41.69108049999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-73186557109044082712012-02-14T13:45:00.003-05:002016-02-16T12:47:13.682-05:00Facebook User's Death Can Cause Estate Planning ProblemsWhat happens to a Facebook account when the user dies? I previously wrote about how <a href="http://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2010/04/protect-your-virtual-assets.html" target="_blank">protecting your "virtual assets" is an important piece of estate planning</a>, and this issue is proving to be important as Facebook is bearing the brunt of some complaints from unhappy or frustrated family members of deceased users.<br>
<br>
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script>
<script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript">
</script>
<br>
<div>
<a href="http://scm-l3.technorati.com/11/01/14/25023/facebook-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://scm-l3.technorati.com/11/01/14/25023/facebook-logo.jpg" height="75" width="200"></a></div>
<div>
Steve Eder of the Wall Street Journal writes in "<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203315804577205122381359482.html#articleTabs%3Darticle" target="_blank">Deaths Pose Test for Facebook</a>":</div>
<div>
<blockquote>
As people's online personas become an increasingly important part of their lives, families and friends are encountering confusion and frustration in trying to manage the Facebook, Twitter and email accounts of their deceased loved ones.<br>
</blockquote></div></div><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2012/02/facebook-users-death-can-cause-estate.html#more">Read more »</a>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com2713 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA39.947341 -82.99967539.9458195 -83.002142499999991 39.948862500000004 -82.9972075tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-63582582114938405482012-01-24T15:44:00.002-05:002012-01-24T16:05:29.993-05:00What Are The 2012 VA Aid and Attendance Pension Payment Rates?For 2012, there are brand new <b>VA Aid and Attendance Pension rates</b>. These updated payment figures reflect an increase in Basic pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance rates and are in effect as of December 1, 2012, which means the larger checks were first issued on January 1, 2012.<br>
<a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-are-2012-va-aid-and-attendance.html#more">Read more »</a>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-52765926166611809482012-01-16T17:34:00.003-05:002016-02-16T12:48:28.608-05:00Does A Revocable Living Trust Protect My Assets From Nursing Homes?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sanjoseestateplanninglawyerblog.com/Does-California-Living-Trust-Protect-Assets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sanjoseestateplanninglawyerblog.com/Does-California-Living-Trust-Protect-Assets.jpg" height="199" width="200"></a></div>
One of the most repeated questions I hear in client meetings or at presentations is "<b><i>Will a revocable living trust protect my assets from the nursing home</i></b>?"<br>
<br>
<div>
In the Medicaid Planning world, misinformation seems to swirl around the public. It seems that many of the families I speak with were specifically told at a seminar that their revocable living trust would protect their life savings from the costs of long term care, and that they would not have spent the money on such a trust otherwise.<br>
</div><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2012/01/does-living-trust-protect-my-assets.html#more">Read more »</a>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0713 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA39.947341 -82.9996750000000257.0294395000000023 -142.76530000000002 72.8652425 -23.234050000000025tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-82267603863644210992011-03-07T08:42:00.013-05:002012-01-24T13:25:17.850-05:00How To Discuss Money With Mom & Dad<a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PF-AA944_smmone_D_20110805162954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PF-AA944_smmone_D_20110805162954.jpg" width="200"></a>Do your mom & dad have enough money to last through retirement? Many children are worried that due to market losses over the past few years, their parents may not have enough to live comfortably through their "golden years". Does this mean that son's & daughters will need to pitch in to keep them afloat? <b>How do you have the "money talk" with mom & dad</b>?<br>
<a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-discuss-money-with-mom-dad.html#more">Read more »</a>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-90657739680816241172011-02-21T08:51:00.012-05:002012-01-24T13:27:36.094-05:00Be On the Lookout for Financial Fraud of the ElderlyIt seems that calls to my office that paint a picture of <b><i>financial fraud of the elderly</i></b> are increasing. Apparently, the statistics show that 1/5th of Americans older than 65 have been the victim of some sort of financial swindle. That's 7.3 million seniors!<br>
<div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/senior-scams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/senior-scams.jpg" width="200"></a></div><i>Elder financial abuse is becoming the crime of the 21st century as the growing senior population is increasingly targeted</i>. - Fred Joseph, President of the North American Securities Administrators Association<br>
</blockquote></div><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2011/02/be-on-lookout-for-financial-fraud-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-35330511822189102342011-02-12T08:23:00.001-05:002012-01-24T13:29:39.227-05:00Caregiver of 38 Years Loses Home to Medicaid Nursing Home Costs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 1.2em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><b>Will Medicaid take my home if I need to go to a nursing home</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: inherit;">? How can I protect my house? These are two of the most common questions I hear as an elder law attorney.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 1.2em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">On Monday, <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/07/thanks-to-medicaid-caregiver-faces-eviction.html?sid=101">Rita Price of The Columbus Dispatch</a> published a related story entitled "Thanks to Medicaid, Caregiver Faces Eviction - Forced Sale of Home".</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 1.2em; vertical-align: baseline;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2011/02/07/losing-home-art-g4nbh3vn-1losing-home-jq-1-jpg.jpg?__scale=w:300,h:212,t:1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2011/02/07/losing-home-art-g4nbh3vn-1losing-home-jq-1-jpg.jpg?__scale=w:300,h:212,t:1" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13px; text-indent: 0px;">Murrell Lewis cared for owner Alma O'Brien, 94, for 38 years</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Price tells the tale of Murrell Lewis, a single man in 1973 with a doctorate in physics that needed a place to live, and Alma Ruth O'Brien, a widow that opened her home to Mr. Murrell.</span><br>
</div><a href="https://elderlawattorney.blogspot.com/2011/02/caregiver-of-38-years-loses-home-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-32148495905160323962011-02-01T20:21:00.000-05:002011-02-01T20:21:58.258-05:00Beware of Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements</span> are something to pay close attention to when entering a nursing home or assisted living facility. Many residents sign these without a second thought, but some commentators characterize these contracts as an "incredible disservice" to nursing home residents and their families.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.smoothtransitionslawblog.com/uploads/image/arbitration%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://www.smoothtransitionslawblog.com/uploads/image/arbitration%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a>Why are these considered a "disservice"? Well, some would say these arbitration clauses are often "buried" within 20, 30, or even 40 pages of legalese text, not unlike that which might be seen when buying a car. You might say that this can make it difficult to understand the full terms of the contract.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In a 2009 case, Hayes v. Oakridge Home, the Hayes family alleged that Mrs. Hayes was a victim of negligence, as she suffered serious injuries when she fell from a wheelchair while at a nursing home. The nursing home produced the arbitration agreement indicating that Mrs. Hayes had agreed to forego a lawsuit in favor of binding arbitration.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The family felt that they should not be held to the arbitration clause because:</div><blockquote>Hayes lacked any business or contract experience; no one explained the terms of the agreement to Hayes, including the fact that she could alter the agreement; the rescission clause was buried among a myriad of terms, and she was required to fill out numerous other forms at the same time; and there were no alternative sources of supply because finding a quality nursing home is difficult.</blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Regardless, the court found the clause to be enforceable and the Hayes family did not have the option of following through with the lawsuit in court.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Before you or a loved one signs anything, make sure to read it closely. <i>If you are not comfortable with agreeing to take any complaints or disputes to arbitration rather than court, ask them to strike the arbitration agreement clause, or speak to an elder law attorney before signing</i>.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_tweet" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href=""></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript">
</script>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-36085396426680156032011-01-18T10:12:00.001-05:002017-08-18T10:33:04.495-05:00Steps To Take When A Loved One Dies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="entry-content" style="clear: both; margin: 5px 0px; position: static;">
<div class="entry-body" style="clear: both;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://i.ehow.com/images/a04/f8/pk/positive-loved-one-dies-recently-200X200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.ehow.com/images/a04/f8/pk/positive-loved-one-dies-recently-200X200.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My clients know that if they lose a family member or friend, they can simply call me for help as a <i><b>Probate and Trust Administration Attorney</b></i>. Unfortunately, many folks don't even have a will in place, so their family members don't have any written guidance to refer to, and may not even know an attorney that will help them with their questions.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Recently, <a href="http://candiceaistonlaw.com/">Portland Oregon Estate Planning Attorney Candice Aiston</a> compiled this helpful list of things to do (edited slightly for Ohio estate planning purposes), which I hope you find helpful,though I don't pretend that it is a complete list.</span><br />
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Notify doctor, coroner, and/or police officer</b> (depends on whether death occurs at home or hospital).</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li><b>Contact family and friends</b>. Hopefully, the deceased has compiled a list of people to notify in his or her estate plan.</li>
<li><b>Funeral arrangements</b>. If they're not prepaid, they can be paid from the estate of the deceased. This is also something that the deceased may have expressed wishes about in his or her estate plan. Determine whether the deceased will have military or police officer honors. </li>
</span>
<li><b>Prepare obituary</b>. Again, the deceased should have helped you with this in his or her estate plan.</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Contact an Estate Planning Attorney </b>as soon as possible. If there is a Will, it may need to be filed with the Probate Court by a certain date, and the Federal Estate Tax return is due 9 months after the date of death. You may have a state estate tax return as well; the existence and rules vary state to state. You also only have 9 months to decide on the use of disclaimers to save on estate taxes. Without a Will in place, probate may need to be opened depending on the size of the estate. If there is a Trust in place, there will probably be a lot of paperwork that needs to be completed, and this is best handled by an attorney. Also, many states require that estates notify creditors publicly, and the estate must remain open during the statutory time period, so it's a good idea to contact an attorney early on so that the clock can begin.</span> </li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Use a team of advisors</b> (attorney, CPA, financial advisor). There will be many legal, financial, and tax issues that come up and it's best to have the advice of professionals in those fields.</span></li>
<li><b>Locate estate planning documents and asset information</b>. Hopefully, the deceased has communicated his or her plan with you prior to death, and hopefully, the documents aren't in a super secret safety deposit box. Having an attorney to turn to at this point is invaluable.</li>
<li><b>Arrange care for surviving family and pets</b>. Guardians for minor children must petition the court to have guardianship approved.</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Obtain the death certificate</b>. It's best to get several copies, because many of the institutions you'll be dealing with will need a copy.</span> </li>
<li><b>Secure real and personal property and make an inventory of all personal property</b>.</li>
<li><b>DO NOT immediately accept benefits </b>(retirement, annuities, investments). Contact your Estate Planning Attorney and inquire about the use of disclaimers. There may be tax savings in doing so.</li>
<li><b>Create inventory of assets</b> (real property, valuable personal property, bank accounts, stocks, retirement accounts, life insurance, etc.). If the deceased has done thorough planning, a spreadsheet of these assets should be with his or her estate planning materials.</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Contact IRS for new Tax ID number</b> for estate or trust.</span> </li>
<li><b>Compile list of creditors</b>.</li>
<li><b>Notification for benefits and insurance</b>. Provide employee benefits, insurance, Social Security, and Medicare offices with: Decedent's name, Social Security number, date of death, whether death was due to illness or accident, your name and address.</li>
<li><b>Other notification</b>: <a href="http://www.ohioveteranpension.com/">Veterans Pension or Survivor benefits</a>, club and credit memberships, disability insurers, utility companies, homeowners, landlord, anyone providing home maintenance.</li>
<li>If the decedent was a <b>business owner</b>,there are obviously additional items to consider. One is whether the decedent had a Buy-Sell Agreement or other type of business succession plan.</li>
</span></ol>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With <i><b>Identity Theft of Deceased</b></i> becoming a common problem, Ms. Aiston also provides some tips to avoid identity theft. </span></div>
<blockquote>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Request the deceased's credit reports from the three credit bureaus.</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Request that the credit bureaus suppress the deceased's credit file.</li>
<li>Send a copy of the death certificate to all creditors.</li>
<li>Immediately notify Social Security of the deceased's death.</li>
<li>Cancel all of the deceased's ID cards.</li>
<li>Safeguard documents that have the deceased's Social Security number.</li>
<li>Avoid giving too many details in the death announcement (like mother's maiden name, etc.).</li>
</span></ol>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">As you can see, the amount of work to be done when someone you love passes away can quickly become overwhelming - especially during a time of severe grief. To help ease the burden of those you love, get a will or trust estate plan done.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Make sure that all relevant documents are in one conveniently accessed location. I use a will or trust portfolio (binder) that has tabs for all the legal documents, life insurance policies, retirement plans, memorial instructions, etc. Don't make your family members dig through boxes in the basement to try to construct your financial picture. Give them the gift of having your estate plan completed and your affairs organized.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To get started on the most important planning you'll ever do for your family, call Golowin Legal at (614) 453-5208 to get started.<span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "arial" , , "osaka" , "ms pgothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=23374576&postID=3608539642668015603"></a> <a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=23374576&postID=3608539642668015603"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=23374576&postID=3608539642668015603"></a> </div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript">
</script>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-5967817370223791052011-01-14T10:38:00.001-05:002011-01-14T10:41:07.870-05:00Combat Veterans Have January 2011 VA Health Care Deadline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTL2FNPnNrJwg1Tar_74TyTiDwmokTpU8hJzh1_Y4du6oLC2PQt3w" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTL2FNPnNrJwg1Tar_74TyTiDwmokTpU8hJzh1_Y4du6oLC2PQt3w" /></a></div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="UIStory_Message">If you are a combat veteran (or know someone who was) that was on active duty between 11/11/1989 and 1/28/2003, sign up online for <i><b>VA veterans health care</b></i>. By getting it done before the deadline, you'll get in without having to prove you have a "service connected" disability or health problem. Remember, "once in, always in" - get it done now if you qualify.</span></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="UIStory_Message"> <a href="http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2011/01/military-deadline-nears-for-streamlined-va-health-care-enrollment-011311w/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Rick Maze of MilitaryTimes.com</a> writes that:</span></span></h3><blockquote>Time is running out for about 180,000 combat veterans, most of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan, to take advantage of streamlined enrollment into the Veterans Affairs Department health care system.</blockquote>Mr. Maze quotes Philip Mastkovsky of the Veterans Health Administration as saying that even if veterans do not have health problems right now, <i>there is good reason to enroll in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health plan now</i>. This plan "charges no premiums and requires modest co-payments only when treating veterans for clearly non service-connected reasons."<br />
<br />
The biggest reason of all for enrolling when you are not currently facing health problems is that once you're in, you're always in. Maze writes:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>The 180,000 affected veterans are among a class of veterans offered no-questions-asked health care from VA following their release from active duty. Initially, they were provided two years of care, but in 2008, when Congress decided to provide five years of post-service VA care to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, those discharged in the early years of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were given extra time.</blockquote>Don't wait! After January 27, 2011, veterans may only enroll in the system if they meet the regular eligibility rules, where you must prove having a a service connected disability or low income. Only 16,000-17,000 of eligible veterans have enrolled so far!After Jan. 27, these veterans can enroll in the VA health system only if they meet regular eligibility rules, such as having a service-connected disability or low income.<br />
<br />
You may enroll <a href="https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez">entirely online</a> right here. If you have questions, call the VA at 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387).<br />
<br />
Thank you for your service. For a free guide on <a href="http://www.ohioveteranpension.com/">Ohio Veteran's Pension Aid and Attendance Benefits</a>, visit www.OhioVeteranPension.com.<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rgolowin" type="text/javascript">
</script>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23374576.post-8974613279042199222011-01-12T19:04:00.000-05:002011-01-12T19:04:06.300-05:00Elimination of Ohio Estate Tax?Yesterday Ohio House Bill 1 was unveiled, putting the <b><i>Ohio Estate Tax</i></b> on the chopping block. Currently, the Ohio Estate Tax is imposed at a rate between 6-7% on estates valued at more than $338,333 when a person dies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.estateplanninglawblawg.com/assets_c/2010/09/tax%20dollars-thumb-250x249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" src="http://www.estateplanninglawblawg.com/assets_c/2010/09/tax%20dollars-thumb-250x249.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />
<div><a href="http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/01/12/copy/death-of-tax-is-bills-intent.html?sid=101">Jim Siegel of Dispatch.com</a> writes that "House <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bill 1 [is] usually designated for leadership's top priority" and later mentions that "[t]</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333233;">he estate tax brings in about $245 million a year to local governments and about $60 million a year to the state."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333233;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333233; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those opposed to the tax such as Rep. Cheryl Grossman, R-Grove City argue</span></div><blockquote>that the estate tax is unfair, bad for farmers and small businesses and drives wealthier retirees out of the state. Ohio is one of 20 states with an estate or inheritance tax, and its threshold is the lowest in the nation.</blockquote><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #333233}
</style> Rep. Ron Amstutz calls the estate tax "legalized theft", possibly viewing the tax as 'double taxation' of dollars that already faced the income tax and/or corporate tax.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, those in favor of the tax such as Rep. Mike Foley D-Cleveland argue that "local governments rely on the money" and it is "a benefit to society, as it only applies to the wealthiest among us, and helps to slow down the growing wealth inequality."<br />
<br />
For years estate planning attorneys have been helping clients to eliminate or minimize the amount of estate tax they must pay on death by using living trusts and inserting tax planning clauses into wills. If the Ohio Estate Tax is eliminated, much of this work may become unnecessary. However, at what cost would this come? Would local governments or the State be harmed drastically? Would the impact only be minimal?<br />
<br />
What is your view on eliminating the Ohio Estate Tax? Yea or Nay?</div>Russell Golowinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070775812586771708noreply@blogger.com0