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|  | | Dutton & Casey, P.C.
For our attorney profiles, click on the photograph above. |
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Our Offices:
At Dutton & Casey, P.C., we understand the importance of convenience. In addition to our main downtown location in Chicago, we also offer appointments at our satellite offices in Skokie and now in Arlington Heights.
Chicago office:
1 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60602 Skokie office: 5225 Old Orchard Road, Suite 25B Skokie, IL 60077
1655 N. Arlington Heights Road,
Suite 306 West
Arlington Heights, IL 60004 |
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 Elder Law Update:
November 2010 |
Can you believe it's already that time of year? Thanksgiving is upon us and December is just around the corner! Where does the time go?
For many of us, the holidays are about spending time with family and showing others that we care. Take a moment this holiday season to think about how you can take the best care of your loved ones, and of yourself.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to take a moment to say that all of us here at Dutton & Casey are thankful for you, our clients, colleagues and readers.
Elder law is constantly evolving. The attorneys at Dutton & Casey, P.C.understand the importance of staying informed within this expanding field of law. Our newsletter was designed with you in mind and includes articles and links below that help highlight some of the most recent developments in elder law and Life Care Planning. Staying informed can make a difference in how we plan for inevitable changes and how we react to sudden ones.
Dutton & Casey, P.C.
Compassionate Advocates for Elders, Persons with Disabilities, and Their Families
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Janna Dutton Authors Article on Possible Risks for Veterans Purchasing Annuities |
Partner Janna Dutton has authored an article on the surprising facts that veterans should know before they think about purchasing an annuity. Here is an excerpt from the article:
It is becoming commonplace for assisted living facilities to refer veterans and their families to financial advisors for help with applying for Veteran's Aid and Attendance Benefits. In most instances, the financial advisors are insurance brokers who sell insurance products, most notably annuities, which just so happen to pay out high sales commissions for these "advisors." The financial advisor does not charge for help with the application, however, the advisor recommends that the veteran purchase an immediate annuity (paying out monthly income) to qualify him or her for VA benefits. While this may be an appropriate technique for qualifying for Veteran's Benefits in some instances, it may not be necessary and may actually pose a huge stumbling block to qualifying for Medicaid if the veteran requires nursing home care in the future.
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Erin's Corner: Thanksgiving is Coming and So is Open Enrollment for Medicare D Prescription Plans |
It's that time of year again- the turkey is roasting, pies are cooling and enrollment is open for Medicare D Prescription Plans. Okay, so maybe this tradition isn't as fun as the others, but it certainly is functional. Read on for more information about
Medicare D Prescription Drug Plan's Annual
Open Enrollment is from November 15 - December 31, 2010
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Erin Vogt, Dutton & Casey's resident social worker and Care Advocate |
Now is the time when Medicare beneficiaries with Prescription D plans should review their current plan to determine if it will provide the best coverage in 2011. Beneficiaries can only switch plans during the annual enrollment period from November 15 - December 31, 2010 and the new plan becomes effective January 1, 2011. For guidance in comparing and selecting the best prescription plan for your individual needs, you can use Medicare's website www.medicare.gov and select their Prescription Drug Plan comparison tool or you can call Medicare's toll free hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE or 1-800-633-4227.
Circuit Breaker applications must be filed no later than December 31, 2010
If you are eligible, this program offers 3 possible benefits; the first part is a cash grant that is based on your property tax/rent and your income, the second is a discount on your license plate renewal fee, and the third is a pharmaceutical benefit. To qualify you must be 65+ or 16 or older and totally disabled. An Illinois resident with a household size of 1 must have had income in 2009 of no more than $27,610 and a couple $36,635. For assistance, visit www.cbrx.il.gov , call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966.
Another resource to help you understand Medicare and Medicare related services is the Senior Health Insurance Program, known as SHIP. SHIP is a free statewide health insurance counseling service, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Insurance, for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers . Phone 1-800-548-9034 or www.insurance.illinois.gov/ship
As always, I am available to assist you.
Contact Erin directly:
Phone: (312)371-0954
Email: evogt@duttonelderlaw.com |
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Dutton & Casey Opens Office in Arlington Heights | |
If you didn't read about it in last month's issues, we have some very exciting news. For the convenience of our clients and to make our legal assistance more accessible to those in the northwest suburbs, Dutton & Casey has opened a new office in Arlington heights.
Our new Arlington Heights address: 1655 N. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 306 West Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Appointments in our Arlington Heights office are available now. Those spots are already filling up quickly, so if you are interested in scheduling one, call our office today at (312)899-0950.
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Illinois Supportive Living Program |
Illinois developed the Supportive Living Program  as an alternative to nursing home care for low-income older persons and persons with disabilities under Medicaid.
By combining apartment-style housing with personal care and other services, residents can live independently and take part in decision-making. Personal choice, dignity, privacy and individuality are emphasized.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has obtained a "waiver" to allow payment for services that are not routinely covered by Medicaid. These include personal care, homemaking, laundry, medication supervision, social activities, recreation and 24-hour staff to meet residents' scheduled and unscheduled needs. The resident is responsible for paying the cost of room and board at the facility.
Visit http://www.slfillinois.com/ for more information on this program. |
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IRS Form 56 Allows Adult to Name Another Agent |
In the next decade, over one fourth of the population is expected to have dementia and/or  Alzheimer's. After age 65, one out of two of us will be inflicted. Most of us will have to help our parents or our spouse by filing their tax return and maybe handling an IRS audit. Herein lies the problem: the IRS is not allowed to disclose information to anyone other than the taxpayer.
The solution: the IRS had its attorneys issue a legal memo stating that the simple Form 56 solves the problem. If your parents file a Form 56 naming you as their agent, then you can handle their IRS tax matters. Form 56 is short and simple, but it must be signed by the parent before they lose their mental capacity.
To read more about the IRS legal memo, click here.
To see or print out Form 56, click here.
For questions about asset planning for yourself or a loved one, contact our office at (312)899-0950 or check us out online at www.duttonelderlaw.com. |
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Reviewing Your Medicare Plan Is More Important Than Ever This Year |
Medicare open enrollment is coming! During the annual open enrollment period, which runs from November 15 to December 31, you may switch Medicare drug or health care plans. While you should review your coverage every year, this year it is particularly important because of changes brought on by the new health care law. Click here to read the full article.
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Average Cost of a Nursing Home Room Tops $83,000 a Year |
Nursing home and assisted living rates rose significantly from 2009 to 2010, according to the  2010 MetLife Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs. The average price of a private room in a nursing home increased 4.6 percent to $83,585 a year or $229 a day, while assisted living facility costs climbed 5.2 percent on average to $39,516 a year or $3,293 a month.
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Book Review: Trial and Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights | |
Can we learn anything about estate planning from  Jimi Hendrix, Princess Di, and Sonny Bono? Yes! This entertaining book uses famous cases to illustrate the principles of sound estate planning.
Click here to read the full article. |
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Avoid Disagreements Between Your Power of Attorney Holder and Health Care Proxy |
A durable power of attorney and a health care proxy are two crucial estate planning documents. Both allow other people to make decisions for you in the event you are incapacitated. Because the individuals chosen will have to coordinate your care, if you can't appoint the same person to do both jobs it is important to pick two people who will get along.
Click here to read the full article. |
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Some Seniors Getting Sticker Shock When Moving From Hospital to Nursing Home |
A growing number of Medicare beneficiaries are spending days in the hospital before being transferred to a nursing home, only to find that Medicare won't pay for the first 20 days of their nursing home stay, as it typically would. The reason, the beneficiaries later learn, is that they had never actually been "admitted" to the hospital, but were only under "observation." Click here to read the full article. |
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Our December Issue:
Look for more articles, links and firm news in next month's edition of the Dutton & Casey, P.C. Elder Law Update eNewsletter.
-From all of us at Dutton & Casey, P.C. |
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Dutton & Casey, P.C., Attorneys at Law
One North LaSalle Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60602
312-899-0950, 312-899-0959 (fax)
Satellite Offices: 5225 Old Orchard Road, Suite 25B, Skokie IL, 60077 (by appointment only)
1655 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 306 West, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 |
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