Estate Planning: An At-a-Glance Overview
Estate planning, or legacy planning, entails preparing your affairs for the future, including death and other life events. While older adults might give more thought to estate planning, it is…
Those Very Special Dogs
In addition to performing helpful tasks, service dogs offer unconditional love and opportunities for social interaction. Service animals can change lives. My daughter, Melanie, who’s had service dogs for years,…
Upcoming Events and Presentations
MPB Radio Podcasts with Rick Courtney Rick Courtney has been a regular guest on the Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio show “In Legal Terms” where he has discussed and answered listener…
Social Security Spousal Benefits and Survivor Benefits
Takeaways Social Security provides spousal benefits to eligible spouses of retired or disabled workers, potentially up to half of the worker’s full retirement benefit. Survivor benefits are available to family…
POA Agent Not Liable for Principal’s Nursing Home Bill
I am often asked if someone serving as guardian, conservator, agent under a power of attorney, or spouse is liable for the debts and liabilities of the ward or principal…
Can Daddy Sign a Will or Power of Attorney?
When a spouse or parent has been diagnosed with dementia or some other condition that affects cognition, the family members may conclude (or be told by others) that the person…
ABLE Eligibility Expands on January 1, 2026
In December 2014, Congress passed the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE Act). This law, found at Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code,…
2026 Medicaid Long-Term Care Benefits When You Are Married
Takeaways Medicaid provides a safety net for long-term care but requires strict limits on income and assets. To prevent impoverishment of the healthy spouse (the “community spouse”), Medicaid allows them…
Upcoming Events and Presentations
MPB Radio Podcasts with Rick Courtney Rick Courtney has been a regular guest on the Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio show “In Legal Terms” where he has discussed and answered listener…
Standard Medicare Part B Monthly Premium to Jump 9.7% in 2026
The standard Medicare Part B premium will increase to $202.90 per month in 2026, up 9.7% from $185 per month in 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has…