How to Protect Social Security Benefits

Vol 5 Issue Three

March 2011

In This Issue

Protect Your Social Security Benefits

Medicare "Failure to Progress" a Myth

Put Yourself In Charge!

Take A Look At Sample Workbooks!

102 - Powers of Attorney

105 - Medicaid

107 - Putting It Together: Strategies

Greetings!

We have a couple of great topics to look at this month.

Bob Mason

I asked for your ideas on stories, and I got some good ones. One reader was very concerned about whether Social Security could be garnished by creditors. She was particularly concerned about credit card bills her husband had run up without her knowledge. So I dove right in . . . read what I came up with below.

I received a number of other good topics . . . don't despair . . . I'll get to them in the next month or so. In the meantime, if you have an idea for a topic you would like for us to run, please drop me an email.

In my practice I constantly have clients tell me that a husband or wife, parent or grandparent, has been discharged from the nursing home because they were not cooperating, had "plateaued" or were not progressing. I groan every time I hear about this incorrect standard. Read below to learn the source of my groaning!

I certainly hope you enjoy Elder Law Update. I'm proud of it . . . unlike many other newsletters with "purchased" content, every word you read here is drafted by Yours Truly or a colleague (who we always credit).

Thanks for reading . . . It's like applause!

Bob sig

Bob Mason
Certified Elder Law Attorney
NC Board Certified Specialist - Elder Law

Certified by the National Elder Law Foundation, recognized by the American Bar Association as the certifying entity for specialization in Elder Law.

Also certified in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT GARNISHMENT: EASY TO AVOID

Can Social Security be garnished? Can a debt collector take your Social Security SS Card Under Lock benefits?

The collector from the credit card company just keeps calling. "Look . . . pay these bills of your husband's or we'll sue. We'll get a court order taking part of your Social Security and your bank accounts."

Can they do that? Not to your Social Security benefits . . . and as for the rest of your bank accounts, it depends. In any event, be careful.

The usual way for a creditor to collect on a debt, short of simply bullying you or shaming you into paying up, is to sue. Once the creditor obtains a judgment for the debt, the usual strategy for collecting is to either garnish a part of income or levy on the bank accounts of the debtor.

To read the rest of this article, click HERE!

BUSTING THE MEDICARE "PLATEAU" MYTH

I could retire if I had a dollar (better make it five dollars) for every client who had been told she would not qualify for further Medicare nursing home coverage because she was no longer improving or had "plateaued".

Nonsense. Time to bust a myth!

Often nursing homes may mistakenly require a resident to be improving or showing progress in order to continue skilled services and maintain her Medicare coverage. If a resident "plateaus", or the nursing facility says the resident no longer has rehabilitation potential, the facility may deny her further coverage. Denying Medicare coverage for this reason is improper.

To read the rest of this article, click HERE!

What Can Mason Law Do For You?

You've worked hard all your life for what you have. You're concerned about being left destitute by long term care costs. You'd like to leave something of your hard work to your children. You're tired of worrying about it all.

Maybe we've just described a parent. If so, you're concerned about your mother's or father's health care needs, you are busy and don't know where to start, your prime concern is making sure your parent's assets are used in the best way possible for their care.

We can help you. Using state of the art mastery of complex trust, tax, testamentary, Medicaid, and VA law we can save you thousands, give you a sense of security and ease your troubled mind.

The Usual Disclaimer: This newsletter is for general information only. Please do not rely on anything you read in this email as definitive legal advice applicable to you. All situations are different, including yours. Nothing you read in this newsletter is a suitable substitute for professional advice you may receive from your attorney, your accountant, or your tax advisor. All contents copyrighted 2011 by Mason Law, PC. Contents may be republished with written permission of Mason Law, PC (which permission will usually be given!).