Is Deeding Your Property a Good Deed?
Many clients who come into our office for counsel about estate planning or Medicaid planning own homes and other real property. It may be the largest asset they own. Therefore,…
Ensuring that Structured Settlements Meet Plaintiff Needs
Since large personal injury (PI) settlements must often last a lifetime, plaintiffs may receive some of their funds in the form of periodic payments from an annuity managed by an…
Almost All Americans Take Social Security at the Wrong Time, Study Says
One of the most important decisions in retirement is when to start claiming Social Security. Unfortunately, almost all Americans start taking the benefit at the wrong time, losing out on…
Putting Power(s) in Your Trust
We often use trusts in estate planning to avoid probate, provide effective management of assets, and to make controlled gifts to children or other family members. Trusts are most effective…
Who Gets an Accounting in an Estate?
When someone dies survived by several children, will all those children be entitled to an accounting of how the estate assets are left among them? The answer is No, as…
Grandparent’s Visitation Rights Clarified by Court
Grandparents do not have natural or common law rights to visitation with grandchildren. As noted in this recent Mississippi Court of Appeals decision, a contentious relationship with their own child…
When is an Heir not an Heir?
Mississippi inheritance law applies when one dies without a Will or trust. This law provides that the assets and property of the deceased person will descend to his or her…
Stock Broker Rules Protect Older Investors
Many clients have savings invested with securities brokers/dealers. These companies and advisers are regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA is not part of the government, but is…
2019 Social Security and Public Benefit Figures
In most years, the money amounts pertaining to eligibility for, and benefits from, various governmental benefit programs change. Listed below are the 2019 figures for some Social Security, Medicare and…
Congress Weighs Reauthorizing Program That Moves People Out of Institutions
Following an initial vote in Congress, advocates are hopeful that a federal program aimed at helping people with disabilities move from institutions to community living will be renewed. A U.S.…