Rebecca A. Hobbs
PottstownMercury
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Past articles by Rebecca:
Legal Ease: Difference between assisted living and nursing homes
Understanding the differences between assisted living facilities and nursing homes is important when making the decision as to where a loved one should be admitted. Assisted living facilities and … → Read More
Legal Ease: What is the Caregiver Child Exemption in regard to nursing home care
When facing the need for nursing home care, a common fear is the loss of the family home. Where a child has been living in the home with the parent and caring for the parent, the child may qualify … → Read More
Legal Ease: Medicaid: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announces 2023 burial limits
The limits set for the burial reserve change annually based on the average burial costs in each county. It is important to note that the maximum amount is based on burial and not cremation which te… → Read More
Legal Ease: End of public health emergency; impact on Medical Assistance for long-term care
The federal COVID-related Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) was extended on October 13, 2022, for another 90 days. The PHE is in effect through January 11, 2023. However, the PHE is set to end unless… → Read More
Legal Ease: 2023 Spousal Impoverishment Standards released
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the new numbers for income and asset eligibility for Medical Assistance for Long-Term Care (“Medicaid”). The new numbers inc… → Read More
Legal Ease: Medicaid versus Medicare, how are they different?
Medicare and Medicaid are easily confused. Medicare and Medicaid are both public health insurance programs. However, the programs are very different. Medicare is a federal program for individuals o… → Read More
Legal Ease: IRS announces increase to the Federal Gift and Estate Tax Exemption amounts
The IRS recently announced that the annual gift tax exclusion is increasing to $17,000, per recipient for 2023. This is the highest the exclusion has ever been. This change is effective January 1, … → Read More
Legal Ease: Estate administration and what do when the original will can’t be found – The Mercury
The probate process in Pennsylvania varies based upon whether an individual dies having a Last Will and Testament. If someone dies having executed a valid Will that was in existence at the time of … → Read More
Legal Ease: Applying for Medicaid for nursing home care
Nursing homes in Pennsylvania are expensive. Based on the Genworth cost of care survey, for 2021 [1]the median cost in the greater Philadelphia area for nursing home care was $11,437 per month for … → Read More
Legal Ease: Involuntary discharge from nursing home and patients’ rights – The Mercury
An involuntary discharge from a nursing home and be extremely disruptive to an individual’s care and can be very emotionally upsetting. There is federal law that provides protection to seniors that… → Read More
Legal Ease: New estate tax change, 5-year relief for portability election
On July 8, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance that extends the timeline for the spousal portability election (Rev. Procedure 2022-32). Prior to the new guidance, the due date fo… → Read More
Legal Ease: Why you need a caregiver agreement
As family members age and require care, the burden of that care often falls on an adult child. For those that leave jobs to care for family members, it can become a financial hardship for the fami… → Read More
Legal Ease: COVID-19 and nursing home staffing shortages
It is no secret that many industries have struggled with staff shortages, but few have been impacted as significantly as nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Overwhelmed by the stress… → Read More
Legal Ease: Are children responsible for parents’ nursing home bill in Pennsylvania
Most parents would not want their children to be financially burdened with their nursing home bills. However, Pennsylvania’s Filial Support law can hold children responsible for their parents’ medi… → Read More
Legal Ease: Duties of an agent under a general durable power of attorney
You have been named as an agent under a General Durable Power of Attorney, now what? Most people are familiar with what a Durable Financial Power of Attorney is; however, if you are named as an age… → Read More
Legal Ease: Medicaid Asset Protection trusts
When planning for the cost of long-term care, it is possible to preserve your estate for your children or other heirs while still relying on Medicaid to pay for your long-term care in a skilled nur… → Read More
Legal Ease: Who will make health care decisions for you?
As an adult, you make your own health care decisions. However, what happens if you are not able to make or communicate decisions regarding your health? In emergency situations, medical providers ge… → Read More
Legal Ease: The Secure Act and the new proposed regulations
December 2019 brought significant change to the rules on retirement accounts through the enactment of the SECURE Act (the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act). Recently, on Fe… → Read More
Legal Ease: Will the nursing home take my house?
According to Genworth’s cost of care survey, in 2021 the median cost of nursing home care in a semi-private room in Pennsylvania was $10,403 monthly ($124,836 annually). The need to pay for the … → Read More
Legal Ease: Guardianship in Pennsylvania
When an individual attains the age of eighteen (18) years, that individual has the right to make decisions on their own behalf. Where an individual has a disability, limitation, or impairment that … → Read More