Dallas Elder Law Attorney

When one spouse needs long-term care Medicaid, how much can the spouse staying at home keep? In this episode, Dallas elder law attorney Michael B. Cohen discusses the projected 2027 Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) and what it could mean for married couples planning for long-term care. Learn how countable resources are treated under Medicaid rules and why understanding these limits is an...

Could your income be too high to qualify for long-term care Medicaid in 2027? In this episode, Dallas elder law attorney Michael B. Cohen discusses the projected 2027 income limits for long-term care Medicaid applicants and how a Qualified Income Trust (QIT), also known as a Miller Trust, may help individuals who exceed the income limit qualify for benefits. Learn why income limits matter, how Qua...

Sometimes the smartest estate planning decision is knowing when to wait. In this audio blog, we share a case involving Medicaid eligibility, retirement accounts, and long-term care expenses. Listen to learn how careful timing and strategic planning can help families navigate difficult financial decisions while protecting their assets.

A winning game plan matters both on and off the field! In this audio blog, we explore Mike Ditka’s reported estate planning arrangements and how living trusts can help protect assets, maintain privacy, and simplify the transfer of wealth. Listen to learn why a solid estate plan can make all the difference for your family's future.

Can even the best estate planning prevent family disputes? In this audio blog, we discuss the reported legal conflict involving Dolly Parton’s nephew and the challenges that can arise when managing a high-value estate. Listen to learn how trusts can help protect assets, maintain privacy, and preserve a family's legacy.

Six years after Chadwick Boseman’s death, his estate is still facing legal disputes. In this audio blog, we explore the ongoing conflict between his brothers and widow and how dying without a will can complicate estate administration. Listen to learn why having a proper estate plan is essential for protecting your loved ones and avoiding costly family disputes.

The Cascio family once defended Michael Jackson publicly. Years later, after a multi-million dollar settlement ran its course, they tried to take new abuse allegations to open court. This episode covers the arbitration ruling that kept their case out of public view, why a 2021 federal law meant to void old settlement agreements didn't apply here, and what the timing of a settlement can mean for ho...

Jeanie Buss's five siblings just voted to sell the family's stake in the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion, a deal that could cost her control of the team she has run for over a decade. In this episode, we break down the 2017 court order that was supposed to guarantee her authority, why that order may now conflict with the trust's own language, and what happens when a court order and a trust do...

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy can only be confirmed after death, but questions about whether someone had the mental capacity to sign a will have to be answered while they're still alive. With CTE showing up in a large share of former NFL players, this episode walks through the four legal elements of testamentary capacity in Texas, how memory loss and impulsive behavior can raise red flags durin...

Nick Reiner asked a court to release $1.5 million from the trust his parents set up for him, money he wanted to use to pay for his own criminal defense after being indicted for their murders. The court said no. In this episode, Dallas estate planning attorney Michael B. Cohen breaks down how California's Slayer Statute works, why it can freeze a beneficiary out of a trust long before any criminal...

Trump Accounts are a new savings vehicle designed to help children build wealth, but they also introduce important estate planning, gift tax, and public benefits considerations. This article explains how the new rules work, when gift tax reporting may be required, and what families should know before contributing.

Can a court determine whether a multi-million-dollar will is genuine simply by analyzing the ink? The ongoing legal battle over Zappos founder Tony Hsieh's alleged will highlights the complexities of will contests, forgery claims, and the critical importance of creating a properly executed estate plan to avoid costly disputes.

Applying for nursing home Medicaid can be far more complicated than many families realize, and even a small mistake can lead to costly delays or a denial of benefits. In this article, we highlight 30 of the most common Medicaid application and planning errors, along with practical insights to help families avoid unnecessary financial hardship. Whether you're planning ahead or facing an immediate n...

When life changes, your estate plan should too. The lawsuit involving Malcolm-Jamal Warner's decades-old trust highlights how failing to update estate planning documents after marriage and children can lead to costly litigation and uncertainty for loved ones.

This article describes how you can plan if your beneficiary has a gambling addiction.

Even though you generally cannot benefit from slaying someone, Reiner’s son could prevail to get some funds from a trust in which he was to be already be receiving benefits before their death. Language of the trust will dictate whether he succeeds or not.

Is a human embryo considered personal property or a human being? The laws (which are evolving) differ by state. What happens to an embryo if there is a divorce or death? Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO plan on IVF even though they are getting divorced, but what happens if they disagree before the divorce is final as to what happens with any embryos?

A signature controls how assets of an account will be distributed. A joint account may pass by the will of the deceased whereas a joint account with right of survivorship account passes to the survivor. This article describes an probate battle over whether the account was a joint account with right of survivorship was established if the signature card was not initialed and there was no definition...

Anna Nicole Smith died without a proper estate plan. Years later, her daughter is still living with the consequences. This episode breaks down how one of the most publicized estate disasters in celebrity history continues to play out, what poor planning actually costs a family, and why the people left behind are the ones who pay the price. If Anna Nicole Smith's estate can fall apart, yours can to...

He was dying. He tried to change his life insurance beneficiary. He signed it in front of two witnesses. But a few unchecked boxes meant the form was rejected. He died before it could be fixed. His ex-wife finished the form the day after he passed. Six years of legal battles later, a court still had to decide who gets the money. The answer will surprise you. This episode breaks down exactly what w...

She murdered her husband, then wrote a children's book about grief using his likeness. The Kouri Richins case is more than a true crime story. It's a warning. Forged powers of attorney, drained accounts, a secretly changed life insurance policy, and an estate still tangled in court after a murder conviction. This episode breaks down every legal angle and what it means for your own family's plan.

Most people don't realize their brain health and their estate plan are connected. Until it's too late. Once cognitive decline sets in, you can no longer legally sign a will, trust, or power of attorney. The window to protect your family closes faster than anyone expects and most people miss it entirely. This episode breaks down the POINTER study, the research that actually identified what keeps yo...

A $275 million estate. Co trustees at war. And legal fees that could quietly drain the entire trust. Even well structured estate plans can fall apart when control and communication break down.

A Lady Bird Deed can be a powerful tool in Texas estate planning, but what happens if creditors come into play? This article breaks down how disclaiming a Lady Bird Deed may impact creditor protection and what you need to know to protect your assets and your family’s future.

For years, they defended Michael Jackson. Now they are suing his estate with serious new allegations. This legal battle raises major questions about credibility, prior settlements, and whether claims can resurface after millions have already been paid.