Month: April 2014

Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Long Term Care: A Fundamental Building Block of Estate Planning

by Christopher Jackson, JD With continually increasing healthcare costs, seniors face new costs to account for when planning their future care needs. One area that many seniors fail to consider is their long term care needs. Some seniors believe that Medicare, and Medicare supplemental insurances, will cover all of their medical care needs. This is not always the case. Medicare will only pay for skilled … Continue reading Long Term Care: A Fundamental Building Block of Estate Planning

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Technology

What is “Phishing”?

by Miles Morley Phishing, pronounced “fishing”, is defined as the act of attempting to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.  It is so named because of its similarity to bait fishing, and often described as the act of fishing for financial information from the sea of online consumers using the bait of fraudulent email. In this attack, the … Continue reading What is “Phishing”?

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FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Have You Considered Estate Planning for Your Digital Assets?

In a world where technology has become so intertwined in our everyday lives, it is important to consider digital assets when going through the estate planning process. Many never consider their digital assets when going through the estate planning process, but a lack of preparation in this area can often incur extra costs and confusion. The following article breaks down what digital assets are, why digital assets are important, … Continue reading Have You Considered Estate Planning for Your Digital Assets?

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FYI

BCBSM Community Services Awards

Each year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan honors two individuals and one organization improving the lives of older adults in our state. These community service awards are called the Claude Pepper Award (Individual Category) and the Senior Advocate Award (Organization Category). To learn more about these awards, or to find out how to nominate an individual or organization, visit this webpage. Continue reading BCBSM Community Services Awards

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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances

Medicare Billing and Fraud – How to Protect Your Medicare Benefits

by Christopher Jackson, JD Since 2008, Federal agencies and their law enforcement divisions have successfully recovered more than $10 billion in fraudulent payments made to individuals and healthcare providers. While this seems to be a hefty amount, these recovered payments represent only a small portion of the suspected Medicare fraud that occurs each year. Congress has allocated substantial resources to Federal agencies to assist in preventing … Continue reading Medicare Billing and Fraud – How to Protect Your Medicare Benefits

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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Steps To Take Before Drafting a Durable Power of Attorney For Finances

by Christine Steinmetz, JD Many of us have heard of a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, but do we really understand what it can do for us? First, you may ask, what exactly is a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances?  A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal form that allows a person, called a “Principal”, to transfer financial decision making powers to … Continue reading Steps To Take Before Drafting a Durable Power of Attorney For Finances

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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances

Bank Garnishments Explained, Part Three: When Can You Object a Garnishment?

by Christopher Jackson, JD If a creditor attempts to garnish your income or benefits, you have the ability to object to the garnishment within 14 days. In order to object to garnishment, you have to do so on very specific grounds. With a legitimate objection, you could prevent your income from being garnished. Many creditors will also attempt to garnish your savings or other bank … Continue reading Bank Garnishments Explained, Part Three: When Can You Object a Garnishment?

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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances

Bank Garnishments Explained, Part Two: What is Protected From Garnishment?

by Christopher Jackson, JD While garnishment merely requires a court order to occur, you might still have protection against creditors following a judgment against you. Some sources of income are protected from garnishment under federal law, such as Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and Veterans’ benefits. For most seniors, the implications for their Social Security benefits are of their highest concern. Under … Continue reading Bank Garnishments Explained, Part Two: What is Protected From Garnishment?

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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances

Bank Garnishments Explained, Part One: What is Garnishment?

by Christopher Jackson, JD The cost of living for Americans continues to increase. Whether it is from energy, food, housing, or just their day-to-day bills, many individuals are facing mounting balances on credit cards and other debts. Creditors or debt collectors may attempt to collect any past due balances through a process called garnishment. Understanding what garnishment is, who can garnish your income, and what income … Continue reading Bank Garnishments Explained, Part One: What is Garnishment?

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Mid-America Pension Rights Project

A Working Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems

by Sandra Wisnewski, JD Recently, the Mid-America Pension Rights Project helped Mr. S recover a disability pension benefit of approximately $12,000. He had been trying to get this money from his former employer for over six years. Mr. S. worked for a company for over 10 years, and left the company because he became disabled.  Before leaving the company, Mr. S. was told that he … Continue reading A Working Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems

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