Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli Blog

NJBIZ is a weekly magazine covering business news in New Jersey. In the May 5, 2008 edition of NJBIZ, the top 25 mediators in the Business/Commercial practice areas were identified by the publication. The selections were based on the total number of cases mediated. I am proud to report that I was rated No. 20 [...]

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As I’ve written on other occasions, as life spans increase, the prospects for sibling squabbles over Mom and Dad grow more likely. One growing trend: custody battles involving adult children fighting over where their elderly parents should live, who should care for them and who should control the finances. These family squabbles have given rise [...]

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Will aging baby-boomers who wish to remain at home in their later years (called “aging in place”) soon be able to do so while they are monitored remotely by their adult children who use high-tech devises to ensure the “old folks” are safe and compliant with their health care regimen? According to the NY Times, [...]

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This is not a new guide but I think it is still one of the best. It provides a solid understanding of long-term care insurance. For years, I have provided a copy of the guide to new clients along with draft copies of estate documents. Long-term care insurance is a critical component of estate and [...]

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Recently, I wrote about the fact that VA Aid & Attendance Benefits are not countable as income in determining eligibility for Medicaid benefits. The same is true for Supplemental Security Income benefits. That is, VA Aid & Attendance Benefits are not countable as income in determining eligibility for SSI benefits either. The regulation is contained [...]

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I recently received a denial notice from the local Medicaid agency in a case in which the applicant’s Medicaid estate plan involved making a loan to a relative. The borrowing relative signed a promissory note agreeing to repay the note each month at a regular payment amount with included a reasonable interest rate. The note [...]

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Hundreds of health care workers braved windswept rain outside the Statehouse recently to protest nearly $200 million in proposed cuts to hospitals and nursing homes. Many wore surgical masks that read, “These cuts make me sick.” Most of the hospital cuts proposed in Gov. Jon Corzine’s budget would come from money [...]

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Changes in our health are inevitable as we get older. But while doctors tell us to focus on the basics — eat right, exercise and keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check— is there more that we need to know about staying well as we age? This special section discusses new information that science and [...]

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New Jersey issued updated numbers for calculating Medicaid eligibility in 2008. They are:
Minimum Community Spouse Resource Allowance - $20,880.00
Maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance - $104,400.00
Resource Allowance for an Individual - $2,000.00
Resource Allowance for a Couple (both husband and wife in a nursing home) - $3,000.00
Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance through July 2008- $1,711.25
Maximum Monthly Maintenance [...]

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In McAuliffe vs. Benish, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, plaintiffs, the adult daughters of the decedent testator, brought a lawsuit against the romantic partner of their deceased father, seeking an order directing her to pay the estate and inheritance taxes on the home that she inherited from the decedent as joint tenant with [...]

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