Question 1: Do I need to have my Will notarized? No. There is no state requirement that says you must have your will signed before a licensed public notary. The law requires that for your Will to be legal, you must create a document that contains your wishes, sign it, and have it signed by two capable adult witnesses. Having your Will notarized is not a valid substitute for any of these requirements, meaning that even if you do have it notarized that doesn’t make it a legal Will. Question 2: … [Read more...] about Wills And Notaries – 3 Questions
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Medicaid Hack Reveals Sensitive Information
Officials from the Utah Department of Health issued a statement in late March saying that Eastern European hackers had stolen the personal information of 24,000 Medicaid recipients. However, as the state continued investigating the security breach, it has continued to increase the number of affected individuals. The state is now saying that almost 900,000 Medicaid recipients have had their personal information compromised because of the breach. The security problem happened because a server … [Read more...] about Medicaid Hack Reveals Sensitive Information
Astor Estate Saga Comes To An End (Mostly)
The lengthy legal battle over one of New York's most well-known philanthropists and socialites has finally come to an end after the parties have reached a settlement in a New York state probate court. Though Brooke Astor died in 2007, her estate has been fought over since then and has only recently concluded. As part of the settlement, her son has accepted a slashed portion of his original $30 million inheritance. Mr. Anthony D. Marshall, Ms. Astor's only son, will inherit a $14.5 million from … [Read more...] about Astor Estate Saga Comes To An End (Mostly)
Avoiding Unintentional Disinheritances – 2 Tips
So you've gone through the trouble of creating an estate plan and are now certain that your property will pass to your family in the manner you choose. However, it's important to realize that while your estate plan may be finished, that doesn't mean it's time to forget about it. If you don't regularly review your plan you may inadvertently disinherit your family if you fail to take the proper action. Here are two tips on how to avoid these unintentional disinheritances. Tip 1: Take survivorship … [Read more...] about Avoiding Unintentional Disinheritances – 2 Tips
Medicaid Planning Becomes More Difficult As States Impose Stricter Limits
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, people planning on using Medicaid for long-term care coverage are facing tougher restrictions. In most states, a person cannot be eligible for Medicaid unless he or she has no more than $2,000 worth of investments, excluding a house and a car. This $2,000 limit includes any gifts that person has given for up to five years. With Medicaid planning you can structure your assets so you can still take advantage of the Medicaid coverage. … [Read more...] about Medicaid Planning Becomes More Difficult As States Impose Stricter Limits
