Here at Obenauf Law Group we are closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its ramifications for our clients, their families, and our staff. As such, we have chosen to work from home while observing social isolation. We are using online and phone meetings. You can use your home computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone for… Read More »
Posts By Author: admin
New VA Aid and Attendance Rules Begin October 18, 2018 – Do Your Gifting Now
The Veteran’s Administration announced it will change its eligibility rules for the Aid and Attendance pension program starting October 18, 2018. One of the main changes is that the VA will impose a “lookback period” of 36 months on transferred assets. This means that if a qualifying veteran or surviving spouse gives away an asset,… Read More »
Let 2017 Be the Year of the Superagers!
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital studied the brains of 65-year-olds with the memory and attention of 25-year-olds. Their conclusion? Work hard at something. “Vigorous exercise and bouts of strenuous mental effort” may do the trick, says last week’s New York Times article (How to Become a Superager) by one of the study’s authors, Lisa Feldman Barrett. This is… Read More »
Waiting
I understand why you haven’t spoken to your parents about getting a power of attorney. It’s awkward. And you don’t want to seem greedy or controlling. Plus, parents are difficult. You have to take time off work to meet with the lawyer. And you have to pay for it! Perhaps you might find it helpful… Read More »
NPR Investigation Reveals Dishonorable Discharges for Soldiers with PTSD
When Staff Sgt. Eric James entered his therapist’s office with his audio recorder, he wasn’t trying to launch an investigation into the Army’s treatment of soldiers with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. He was just looking to protect himself from being kicked out of the Army and a dishonorable discharge with no benefits. Yet his… Read More »
How Dorothy Parker’s Ashes Sat in A Lawyer’s Filing Cabinet for 15 Years
Dorothy Parker, an American poet and political activist, died in 1967, leaving her estate to Martin Luther King, Jr., a man she admired but had never met. When King was assassinated less than a year later, Parker’s Will bequeathed her estate to the NAACP. View image | gettyimages.com Parker’s Will named Lillian Hellman as her… Read More »
Our Digital Afterlife
This month we taught a class on “digital assets” at Kaunoa Senior Center. The Kaunoa seniors were interested in the question, “What happens to my digital ‘stuff’ when I die or become disabled?” View image | gettyimages.com We began thinking about our online “footprints.” Exactly how many online store accounts (Amazon, Ebay), membership programs (Netflix,… Read More »
Haven’t Had Enough Of Us Yet?
Come see us out and about in the community. May 5, 2015 – Kaunoa Senior Services Center in Paia; Meg will speak to seniors about “digital assets” and how it can tie in to their estate planning. June 2015 – By Invitation/Referral only/Limited seating available – Estate Planning and Elder Law Seminar; Meg will speak… Read More »
VA Releases 2015 Aid and Attendance Numbers
Previously we wrote about the Veteran’s Administration’s Aid and Attendance program. The VA has announced the 2015 award numbers. View image | gettyimages.com Qualifying single veterans can receive up to $1,788 per month in long term care assistance. Married veterans can receive up to $2,120 per month. Surviving spouses of deceased veterans can receive up… Read More »
Announcing Medicaid by the Numbers, 2015 Edition
View image | gettyimages.com Curious about the 2015 Medicaid allowances? Here they are from the elder law section of the Hawaii State Bar Association: The Community Spouse Resource Allowance is the amount that the spouse who is still living in the community (i.e. not in a nursing home) is allowed to own with their spouse… Read More »