In the context of estate planning, you might sometimes hear about “living trusts,” also called revocable trusts or inter vivos trusts. Living trusts are useful tools for anyone trying to plan for their future under certain circumstances, as they can allow you to fully marshal all assets of your estate prior to your death in lieu of having a last will and testament. Living trusts can create some security for you and your loved ones, since you direct how the trust will be managed and distributed according to your wishes even when you are not there to take care of your family anymore. Continue reading “What is a Living Trust, and Why Would You Want One?”
Tag: asset protection
Purpose of a Trust
The main purpose of every trust is to preserve assets that will eventually pass or transfer to beneficiaries. In order for the trust to be valid, the terms must clearly recognize that the assets will be transferred to beneficiaries. In addition, trusts are also used to: Continue reading “Purpose of a Trust”
Transfers of Assets Affect Medicaid
If a Medicaid applicant is married and his or her spouse resides in the primary residence, then the home is an exempt resource. The spouse is entitled to keep resources of $120,900. The applicant must have less than $2,000. Any additional resources above these limits must go toward the cost of his or her nursing home care. If the applicant has a spouse, he or she may retain a portion of the other spouse’s income under certain circumstances.
Medicaid Divorce and Asset Protection
As more elderly couples face the need for significant medical care, they are also looking to protect their assets in the event one of them becomes incapacitated and requires nursing home care. This has spawned a new term: “Medicaid divorce.”
