The Elder Law Coach

Send us Fan Mail This is probably one of the most important podcasts that I've done.  We as a profession do not do a good job when dealing with the client with diminished capacity.  Elder Law attorneys work with many people that have diminished capacity.  If your position here is "since they have a diagnosis of dementia, then they can't sign documents", you MUST listen to this...

Send us Fan Mail Today I interview a client's child from a long way back, Mac.  This interview is a great way to see how things should work when you do good work for a family.  This podcast episode discusses the issues clients are looking experiencing and how our work, when done correctly, really does help them. When you treat clients and their families like family, they will trust appreciate...

Send us Fan Mail I talk about this case as encouragement for you Elder Law Attorneys out there helping your clients and the State Medicaid authority says you are doing it wrong.  I used to think that "The State" was all knowing and if they said I did something wrong, then I must have been at fault. I quickly learned that they have an agenda and they may not know the rules a well as you d...

Send us Fan Mail Coaching clients ask me all the time what exactly do we need to get from the client for the first meeting.  I did a podcast for my other platform, Answers on Aging (you should listen and have your clients listen to this one). I'm posting it here since I think it's something you can share with clients but if you ever wondered what all we would need for a first meeting, th...

Send us Fan Mail Clients routinely hire me for the exact same price that other attorneys quoted them, but didn't hire them because "it was too high".  There is a process of conducting the first meeting with a client so that the fee you quote them is reasonable and "makes sense" under the circumstances. Join me today and we discuss how to prepare the client for a Medicaid c...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, I interview Marilyn Miller, the current President of the National Elder Law Foundation.  We discuss what a CELA , how to become one and why you probably want to become one if you focus on Elder Law.   Check out our new website www. TheElderLawCoach.com.

Send us Fan Mail It's crucial that you know who the client is.  In no other area of the law is this such a strange concept.  However, in Elder Law you have to know who the client is and make sure everyone else knows who the client is.  Some Elder Law Attorneys think differently on this topic so this is not the "end all" discussion of the topic but it is something you should think ab...

Send us Fan Mail Client confidentiality is crucial in any law practice.  However, in Elder Law it gets a little tricky  almost every time.  Elder Law attorneys usually have to talk to lots of other people beside their clients.  Sharing information is crucial and in the best interest of the client.  However, you have to abide by the ethical rules.  Listen as Todd covers those areas and makes sense...

Send us Fan Mail Avoiding probate is a key tool in the Elder Law Practice.  Our clients don't need to go through probate and shouldn't go through probate (prove me wrong!!!).  But how is foregoing this whole area of work good for your practice?  Listen and I will tell you how following this concept will help you stand out among the "other attorneys" who dabble in this and do wh...

Send us Fan Mail We delve into an issue that comes up in LOTS of cases and is a planning tool in many cases.  We don't discuss planning just yet but in Part one we cover the basics up to the "Penalty Period".  Let me know if you have questions at Todd@ElderLawinaBox.com Check out our new website www. TheElderLawCoach.com.

Send us Fan Mail This is CRUCIAL to working with clients that have gifting in their past or if you use gifting to plan for Medicaid.  This episodes discusses and explains the Penalty Period and how to make sure you start the penalty.  Questions to Todd@ElderLawinaBox.com Check out our new website www. TheElderLawCoach.com.

Send us Fan Mail This information is GOLD.  The information in this podcast will teach you how to help clients on a whole different level!!!!!!  When a client meets the qualifications for an exempt transfer, you should recognize it and advise them of the exemption.  Helping them with exempt transfers will pretty make sure they hire you to make sure it's done correctly.  These rules really do...

Send us Fan Mail One of the basic concepts you have to understand when advising a client for Medicaid is income.  You must understand the income rules and you must be able to distinguish what is income and what are  assets.  Here I discuss income and some of it's intricacies when it come to  married applicants. Questions or Comments?  Email me at Todd@ElderLawinaBox.com Check out our new webs...

Send us Fan Mail Not every state requires an Qualifying Income Trust but if you practice in a state that does have an Income Cap, you MUST understand Miller Trusts.  They are simple in concept but very complicated in their function and their importance.  Join me here to learn about these tricky devices. Check out our new website www. TheElderLawCoach.com.

Send us Fan Mail I address this early in the series, is it ethical to "plan for Medicaid"?  I hear this periodically from people and even from other attorneys and Judges.  I address the issue and use my most popular argument that in my mind and everyone I have told this to sees that Medicaid planning is ethical and helps people that really do need it by leveling the playing field for tho...

Send us Fan Mail This is the very basic starting point in Medicaid planning.  You must know what Medicaid is going to look at for the person applying for Medicaid.  Here, I discuss a person's assets and then lay out what is countable and what is not countable.   If you are new to Elder Law, start here to get a good foundation and then continue as I progress through the process.  You can email...

Send us Fan Mail In episode 3, I discuss assets in general and what Medicaid counts and what they don't count.  Here, I discuss one of the more confusing aspects of Medicaid (especially in the public's eye) is jointly held assets.  How does Medicaid look at an asset that is owned by the applicant and another person.   Medicaid views it differently if the other owner is a spouse or a non-...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I discuss what Elder Law is and why you may want to transition your practice to Elder Law.  It's a great practice field and I encourage you to at least look into it.  Subscribe to my podcast and you will get all the information you need to become proficient in Elder Law. Check out our new website www. TheElderLawCoach.com.

Send us Fan Mail Todd explains the fact that documents for seniors need to have specific language in order to protect their estate from long Term Care costs.  Check out our new website www. TheElderLawCoach.com.