<p>AREAS OF EXPERTISE: <br /><br />Family Asset Protection Planning (FAPP) covers several different modalities the firm uses to help its clients: <br /><br />(1) Asset protection in a long-term care context. Part of asset protection means the implementation of planning strategies designed to achieve eligibility for certain need based government programs including certain Medicaid and Veteran's benefits as appropriate and available. <br /><br />(2) Estate Planning through the use of wills, trusts and different techniques of holding title, as appropriate. The goal of estate planning is to ensure that a client's after-death wishes are honored but in such a way as to be consistent with the client's asset protection goals. Most every client already comes with an estate plan (often as a referral from the estate planning attorney) but these plans typically need to be modified to meet the new objectives. <br /><br />(3) Incapacity Planning is primarily directed to plan for what should happen if and as incapacity begins to affect a client and to deal with current incapacity issues. Regular durable power of attorneys do not suffice. Incapacity planning includes end-of-life health care decision-making, specialized powers of attorney and sometimes trusts and other devices. <br /><br />(4) Protection against Estate Recovery is designed to prevent unnecessary loss of assets to the government upon the death of a Medicaid recipient. <br /><br />(5) Application for Benefits: The firm will handle the application for public benefits by completing application materials and dealing with the government all the way through the eligibility determination. We show the government everything that we have done by opening the books and explaining the law to the government case workers. <br /><br />(6) Guidance for Quality of Life: The firm is not a health care provider and we provide no medical advice. However, we have significant knowledge, experience and contacts within the elder care system. We leverage these benefits to the advantage of our clients through a structured process of providing non-clinical caregiving guidance. <br /><br />Whether Family Asset Protection Planning is right for you depends on many factors not covered in this article. The firm will pre-qualify prospective clients during an initial consultation. <br /><br />We can help achieve your goals, including Medicaid eligibility, in weeks or months (no 5-year waiting periods necessary here). <br /><br />To learn more and to see if our planning is right for you, set an initial consultation. The charge is $250 for that meeting. When you call the office, you will be told what to expect and you will then shortly receive more information in the mail in advance of your meeting.</p>. <p>If you need the help,I hope we can guide you through the process. With experienced and caring attorneys and staff,we have put together a nationally recognized system and one that makes a tremendous difference in people's lives.<br /><br />Estate Planning: <br /><br />Working alone or in tandem with the client's existing estate planning attorney,Solkoff Legal PA is well equipped to prepare a comprehensive estate plan for its clients. We focus on what your goals and desires are,educate you as to the various planning methods,and assist in the implementation of that plan. <br /><br />Unlike traditional estate planning which focuses on what happens after death,Solkoff Legal,PA approaches estate planning from the perspective of meeting lifetime needs first and then developing an after-death plan. <br /><br />One primary purpose of estate planning is to distribute your assets according to your wishes after your death but good planning means dealing with lifetime needs first. As part of your estate plan at Solkoff Legal,PA,we therefore focus on long-term care needs,incapacity planning,asset preservation,access to health care and other matters. After first dealing with lifetime needs,successful estate planning transfers your assets to your beneficiaries quickly and usually with minimal tax consequences. <br /><br />The process of estate planning often includes inventorying your assets,making a will and/or establishing a trust,preparing a durable power of attorney and other advanced directives. Matters such as minimizing estate taxes,spendthrift children,children with unstable marriages,charitable inclinations,or preserving your assets against catastrophic illnesses are additional issues that may need to be dealt with either by us alone or with your tax counsel. <br /><br />First Steps: Inventory & Valuation of Assets <br /><br />The first step in estate planning is to inventory everything you own and assign a value to each asset. Here’s a list to get you started. You may need to delete some categories or add others. <br /><br />*Residence <br />*Other real estate <br />*Savings (bank accounts,CDs,money markets) <br />*Investments (stocks,bonds,mutual funds) <br />*401(k),IRA,pension and other retirement accounts <br />*Life insurance policies and annuities <br />*Ownership interest in a business <br />*Motor vehicles (cars,boats,planes) <br />*Jewelry <br />*Other personal property <br /><br />Next Steps: Planning for Your Lifetime Needs and Distribution of Assets <br /><br />Take a fresh look at your estate plan if: <br /><br />*The value of your assets changes significantly. <br />*You marry,divorce or remarry. <br />*You or your spouse require placement in a skilled nursing facility <br />*You have a child. <br />*You move to a different state. <br />*The executor of your will or the administrator of your trust dies or becomes incapacitated,or your relationship with that person changes significantly. <br />*One of your heirs dies or has a permanent change in health. <br />*The laws affecting your estate change. <br /><br />Special Needs & Disabilities: <br /><br />•Special Needs Trusts <br />•Public Assistance & Medicaid Planning <br />•Asset or Settlement Protection Planning <br />•Social Security Disability Benefits <br /><br />In order for many disabled people to obtain health insurance and other assistance,they must qualify for Medicaid and other government programs based on fi