Get free answers to your Elder Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Dad was diagnosed a few weeks ago and can no longer drive, manage his finances or cook for himself, per the evaluation. The forward prognosis is difficulty dressing, bathing and feeding within a year. I am a licensed CPA and need to confirm what I can and should not do. I have durable POA and it... View More
answered on Jun 3, 2024
Do you need to as a matter of law? No. Will every nursing home, health care provider, and bank give you a hard time about the POAs and make you jump through a million hoops that you wouldn't have to do if you had guardianship? Absolutely yes.
We moved into their house 2 weeks before his dad died. My husband's brother, David, is executor of estate and power of attorney for my mother-in-law. Per my husband, a verbal agreement was made that when my mother-in-law passed, her house would be sold and we would receive a larger portion for... View More
answered on Jun 2, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation you’re facing. Given the verbal agreement and the substantial care your husband provided for his mother, it’s understandable that you feel entitled to a larger portion of the estate. However, verbal agreements can be challenging to enforce... View More
Ohio. He would like to gift the 2009 car to me. He will be applying for Medicaid when his funds run out. How should I proceed? I don"t want him to have any problems with Medicaid if he does this.
answered on Feb 7, 2024
It is good that you are recognizing this could be a problem up front, so that it can be handled. There are two ways to approach it. One is to accept there is a penalty for an improper transfer, and arrange to pay (value of car/average monthly private pay rate for this year, currently $7,453 =... View More
The executor is an attorney. She has not been transparent or forthcoming with many, if any, details. It's been very difficult.
answered on Sep 19, 2024
This is a pretty common issue. A number of things can hold it up, but the executor is required to keep the beneficiaries informed. If the executor won't return your calls, then I would call the judge.
He is showing signs of dementia. He has no money other than social security. My brother and I are trying to get power of attorney to handle his business but he is becoming suspicious of our motives. We need to get him help but he is refusing. We have no money to help him
answered on Jun 24, 2024
Talk to social security about becoming the representative payee. If SS is the only income, then you may not need the POA or guardianship to pay the bills as rep payee. If this doesn't work, then you may need a guardianship.
She has been on deed for over two years and lives with me is home protected for her if I need medicade
answered on Jan 5, 2024
You should contact an elder law attorney. You MAY be able to transfer the house to her if you need Medicaid, but if you contact an elder law attorney, they would be able to advise you as to whether that is possible.
I need a template Judgement Proof Letter for credit debt. No estate and no assets.
Yesterday someone from the nursing home put paperwork that says I am responsible for her bill.
answered on Nov 12, 2023
As long as you did not sign documents as the responsible person for your mother's bills, you are not responsible. If you were your mother's agent under a power of attorney, and if you signed as her agent, you should have put a POA by your name to designate that you weren't signing... View More
..Declaration”, and “Last Will and Testament” documents created in 2007 while residing in South Bend, IN. Since then we have changed residency to West Chester, OH. Are we required to update/modify these document to our change of residency?
answered on Oct 30, 2023
Under the US constitution, those documents are enforceable in all other 49 states. However, some documents (particularly the healthcare directives) should be looked at. In Ohio, most attorneys use forms approved by the Ohio State Medical Association and that's what most healthcare providers... View More
Dad disabled and live in girlfriend left for a couple days-ish. She calls from cell and asks for well check. Deputies get there & break in - he unconscious & unresponsive on floor and covered from head to toe in dog feces. Dried, not fresh-yet the puppy they have is not anywhere to be... View More
answered on Oct 15, 2023
There is just too much baked into this question. The roommate, based on this description, does not have a specific duty to your father. I am certain that the police will look into this matter too find out what she knew and when she knew. The answer to those questions would impact my answer.... View More
regards to me which I have never seen but has been 'scooted' past me for control and manipulation factors. I was told I can get a Revocation for my file.....Thank you.
answered on Aug 7, 2023
Just make out new POA documents, which will revoke all prior ones. You really want to create new potential proxies in the event something happens to you anyway. You can also write a simple statement revoking a specific person's proxy status effective as of a particular date, then send it... View More
My elderly parent is incompetent. She stopped taking her medications, stopped going to her doctor appointments. Is losing her memory. Being scammed online. The list goes on. But I am not in the position to apply for guardianship. I'm struggling with my own responsibilities. I can't be... View More
answered on Aug 6, 2023
The quick answer is that you cannot have someone deemed incompetent and not have a guardian appointed. That being said you do not have to be the guardian yourself. You can have the court appoint an attorney as guardian of the ward's estate if you cannot serve yourself. This forum is no... View More
My 2 young children, my wife and I have lived with my elderly mother in her house (that she owns) for the past 5 years to help care for her, as well as the home. She has recently stopped taking her medications and seeing her doctor. She drives her car recklessly. (Has new, lrg damage to drivers... View More
answered on Aug 4, 2023
Unfortunately this is likely a time to seek guardianship over your mother. If she is declining and isn't able to take care of herself, you will need to petition the probate court to obtain guardianship over her. If she refuses to see a doctor who can perform a competency exam, you will also... View More
Family member with POA on my mother is not allowing legal husband to know his wife's health status, location on her health after she was taken to the hospital six days ago....
answered on Jul 5, 2023
Your mother can sue the family member with the POA if that family member has exceeded the scope of authority granted in the POA. Alternatively, your mother can revoke the POA if she does not want that family member acting on her behalf anymore.
him for Medicaid. His home has been a mobile home. Its fair market value is $7400 and that is his only physical asset. If he applies for Medicaid now and is accepted, as soon as we sell the trailer, his assets will be above $2000 which makes him ineligible for Medicaid until he spends down the... View More
answered on May 3, 2023
It can work out either way. If you are able to find items to spend on now, before he needs Medicaid, then that is a good option. The main thing is to sell it for the proper blue-book value and spend the funds down before he needs Medicaid.
Or you can get qualified for Medicaid first. Then,... View More
I own a house in Ohio that my parents are currently living in. I live in Texas. My father is on hospice and my mother just recently had a partial foot amputation. My sister decided to use FMLA to stay and take care of them, well mainly to take care of my dad. She is now terrorizing the home. I... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2023
Call Ohio adult protective services ASAP: https://aps.jfs.ohio.gov/
If she doesn't actually live there, then change the locks and lock her out. She is not a tenant and not subject to Ohio tenant protections. Call the police as well and report her for trespassing.
She had Medicare and Medicaid also has disability income and widowers support. Should I seek out a lawyer or go ahead and sell.
answered on Mar 7, 2023
I recommend sitting down with an estate planning professional to discuss. If your mother makes such a transfer it could be subject to gift taxes. Additionally, if she were to need benefits under a needs based assistance program like Medicaid, such a gift would impact her eligibility and may mean... View More
be turned away directly from the principle?
Arriving at my granddaughter’s elementary school for an approved PTO volunteering event at the requested time, Right away I was met with resistance. She began using her phone. She inquired to several ladies standing close by a loc of someone.... View More
answered on Jan 20, 2023
The law does not require the schools to allow any particular person to volunteer and there are literally hundreds of reasons from the mundane (we have enough help) to the quite serious (this individual set fire to the building last time they were here) that someone might be turned away.
Is a Power of Attorney the appropriate and ethical way to do this or is obtaining guardianship more appropriate?
answered on Jan 12, 2023
A properly signed Healthcare Power of Attorney grants you the right to place someone in a nursing home.
The person signing it granted you that power.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.