September is often a month of transition. Families settle back into routines after the summer, kids return to classrooms, and calendars fill with work, school, and activities. It’s a season of fresh starts, but also the perfect moment to pause and consider a question many avoid: What if something unexpected happens to me or my family? From sudden medical emergencies to long-term incapacity, life is unpredictable. Estate planning provides the tools to face those “what-ifs” with clarity and confidence. When families put a plan in place, they protect not only their financial assets but also their loved ones’ peace of mind. Why Planning for the Unexpected Matters Most people think of estate planning as something you do later in life, or only for passing assets at death. But true estate planning also addresses what happens if you’re alive but unable to manage your own affairs. Consider these realities: A 2023
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When it comes to planning for the future, many families focus on Wills, Trusts, and passing on wealth to the next generation. But one of the most overlooked aspects of estate planning is long-term care—and how to pay for it. With nursing home costs in the United States averaging $100,000 per year or more, planning ahead isn’t just smart, it’s essential. This is where Medicaid becomes an important piece of the puzzle. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program designed to provide health coverage for low-income individuals. For seniors, it is often the only way to afford the cost of long-term care. But the rules are complicated, and misconceptions are common. Below, we’ll walk through the essentials of Medicaid, why it matters in estate planning, and how you can take steps today to prepare. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is not the same as Medicare. While Medicare provides health insurance
Continue Reading... →Senate Passes “One Big Beautiful Bill”: What It Means for Your Long-Term Care Plans At Estate Planning Law Center, we understand that keeping up with Medicaid legislation isn’t just for policymakers, it’s for families. If you’re caring for an aging loved one or planning ahead to protect your own legacy, what happens in Washington directly affects your peace of mind. This week, we’re focusing on major developments that could change the way long-term care Medicaid works for millions of Americans including right here in New York. What Happened? On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Senate narrowly passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping package of healthcare and Medicaid-related reforms. The vote was split 50–50, with Vice President Vance casting the deciding vote. This amended version of the bill now returns to the House of Representatives, where final negotiations will take place. But if passed, these changes will impact
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In the United States, the median monthly cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home is currently more than $7,500. The cost of a private room exceeds $8,500 per month. Depending on where you live, costs can be considerably higher. In addition, costs rise according to the level of care needed and they are expected to increase dramatically in the future. (Please click to see the current costs for home care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home care in your area.) To make matters worse, nearly 70 percent of us over the age of 65 will require long-term care at some point in our lives and 20 percent of us will need long-term care for five years or more. All of this helps explain why so many families exhaust their life savings within a few years of a family member entering a nursing home. And why more
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