Previously posted in 2015. By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney In our previous posts, we discussed the different types of wills and trusts. There is one other estate planning document that we haven’t discussed that allows you to transfer real estate to your beneficiaries without probate. This document is called a “Lady Bird” deed. A “Lady Bird” deed transfers real estate after your death automatically … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts: Part 8 of 8
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist We are constantly expanding our online services to give you freedom and control when doing business with us. Our new online cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices are another example of our commitment in this area. Soon, you’ll be the first to know your new benefit amount! Later this year, we will post the Social Security COLA notices online … Continue reading Be the First to Know: Online COLA Notices
Via Michigan Department of Health and Human Services The Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services (MDHHS) plans to issue Food Assistance Program benefits early for February. For food assistance clients, Michigan will begin issuing February benefits on Saturday, Jan. 19. Clients who don’t receive their benefits on that date should receive the funds the following week. That means the 1.2 million Michigan residents who … Continue reading Michigan Prepares for Early Issuance of February Food Assistance
By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the seventh in a series regarding wills, trusts, and estate planning. In our previous post, we discussed how a revocable grantor trust DOES NOT shelter assets, including one’s homestead, for Medicaid eligibility. In addition, the fact that a homestead has been held in the trust for longer than the 5 year look back period doesn’t make … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts: Part 7 of 8
Previously posted in 2015. By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the sixth part of a series regarding wills and trusts. In our previous posts, we discussed that a will always goes through probate. We also discussed how a trust avoids probate. As previously discussed, probate administration is the court process to distribute property that is owned by an individual at their death. … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts: Part 6 of 8
Via The National Law Review By Jaliz Maldonado In the year 2017, the National Defense Authorization Act underwent a revision concerning the way in which pension of military personnel is divided in the case of a divorce between the spouses. While previously, it was thought to be the decision of the State under the USFSPA enacted in 1982, now Congress has come up with a single, … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Family Law: Military Divorce Retirement, Pension Rules Change
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Disability is something most people don’t like to think about, but the chances that you’ll become disabled probably are greater than you realize. Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 1-in-4 chance of becoming disabled before reaching full retirement age. Social Security pays disability benefits through two programs: The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and; … Continue reading Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits
