And thus begins a discussion as to how we make sure the client avoids something worse than death, namely, being permanently disabled with no one empowered to make your health care decisions or handle your finances, having a court appoint a guardian for you, and then watching in horror as everything you worked for all your life gets cashed in and paid to a nursing home. 

      The first step in avoiding this nightmare is the use of advance directives, legal documents that express your wishes as to who handles your finances and health care decisions when you can’t, and how they should do so.  Advance directives include a general durable power of attorney for finances which allows an individual of your choice to take care of paying your bills and signing other important documents for you, a Healthcare Power of Attorney authorizing other individuals to make health care decisions for you when your doctor has determined you no longer can, a Declaration to Physicians (also known as a living will) which tells health care providers to “pull the plug” if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state, and a HIPPA Authorization form preauthorizing release of your medical records to your health care agents and any other individuals of your choice so they can communicate with your health care providers immediately.  Every adult individual needs and should have these documents – without them a court must appoint a guardian to oversee your property, and all will be lost to the nursing home.

      The second step is to either purchase long term care insurance IF you can afford it and IF you qualify for it or else become qualified for Medicaid as quickly as possible.  We call the latter process Medicaid Planning, and it involves a thorough analysis of the client’s assets and income followed by implementation of precise legal strategies designed to take advantage of the ever changing laws at the federal, state and local levels regarding Medicaid coverage.  Don’t expect to get this work done through county social workers or Aging andDisabilityResourceCenterbenefit specialists.  While these fine folks will provide you with lots of information and assistance once you have qualified for Medicaid, it is not their job to tell you HOW to qualify other than to explain how to fill out a Medicaid application.  That’s where you need the services of a qualified elder law attorney who can use all the tools currently available to save as much of your estate as possible for you and your loved ones.

       The time to do the first step and to purchase long term care insurance is NOW while you are healthy enough to do it.  The time to do Medicaid Planning is as soon as you sense that long term care may be in your future or that of your spouse or parents.  The sooner a qualified elder law attorney starts working for you, the more tools which can be used to help you, so don’t delay!

          This Month’s Reminders!  If you have not reviewed your estate plan with Atty. F. Greenhalgh for three or more years, schedule an appointment today to come in during the month of May to review your estate plan.  The appointment is free, and Atty. Greenhalgh will thoroughly review your estate plan, the funding of your living trust, answer any questions that you have, and update you on our new services.  Also don’t forget that Monday, May 28, 2012 is Memorial Day.  Our offices will be closed that day.  Please join us in celebrating the sacrifices made byAmerica’s Veterans.

          Watch your mail for announcements of future client workshops!  Our client workshops for 2012 have been very well attended and received.  We are meeting later this month to plan new workshops for the summer and fall.  Be sure to watch your mail, our website, and our Facebook page for future announcements as soon as we have scheduled the new workshops.

          Greenhalgh Legal Services Announces Second Annual Red Cross Blood Drive!  On June 25, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,Greenhalgh Legal Services will be sponsoring our Second AnnualRed Cross Blood Drive right here at our offices at 202 Broadway in Baraboo!  Last year’s blood drive netted 19 pints of blood used to save lives.  This year the blood drive will be conducted in conjunction with presentations here at our office on topics of interest to our clients on estate planning.  Watch for future announcements, and plan to participate!

          Greenhalgh Legal Services Client Maintenance Plan is Here!  Since our last email newsletter, several clients have signed up for our new Client Maintenance Plan designed to give you and your family the utmost in protection with regard to avoiding guardianship, probate and death taxes while ensuring that your estate passes to your heirs in the most advantageous manner possible.  Attached to this email is our flier detailing the features of this new service.  Please contact our office with any questions or to sign up, and we will send you a contract right away.

         Student Legal Kits Remain Available!  For your children and grandchildren, consider spending $150.00 per individual to have them covered in the event of sudden disability through preparation of our Student Legal Kit.  This consists of a general durable financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, living will, and HIPAA authorization form.  Perfect for children and grandchildren who have left home for college, the Student Legal Kit ensures that you will be able to handle your child’s financial matters and make healthcare decisions in the event of an unanticipated injury or illness.  Sign up for this excellent service today by contactingKris at (608) 355-0907.

          Visit Our Website and Facebook Pages!  If you haven’t done so already, please visit our revised firm website, www.greenhalghlaw.com.  Also check out our Facebook page,Greenhalgh Legal Services, where we update you twice weekly with upcoming events in our area as well as breaking legal developments. 

Don’t Keep Us A Secret!   If you believe that you are better off having addressed the important issue of estate planning in your life, please help your friends and family find us by providing us with their names and addresses.  Don’t worry, we won’t bother them.  We would simply like to send them an invitation for a free initial consultation at our office.  You may refer friends and family members to our firm by calling Kris at (608) 355-0907, or by e-mailing her at kris@greenhalghlaw.com.

This Month’s Reminders!  Don’t forget the upcoming tax deadlines in April:  On April 17, 2012, your federal and state individual income tax returns are due, your first quarter 2012 federal and state estimated tax payments are due, and if you gave gifts to any individuals in excess of $13,000.00 during calendar year 2011, your Form 709 United States Gift Tax Return is due.  If you need help on any of these matters, please contact us right away at (608) 355-0907!

Come to Our Third Client Workshop of 2012!  AsGreenhalgh Legal Services email newsletter subscribers, you are the first to learn of our third client workshop for 2012.  Atty. William F. Greenhalgh will be presenting the latest rules and planning strategies on Medicaid qualification at the Acacia Room at the Kalahari Resort Convention Center, 1305 Kalahari Drive in Lake Delton on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Virtually all our clients have concerns about being placed in long term care without the ability to pay for it before they die.  Atty. Greenhalgh will review the current rules and the basic analysis he does in qualifying our clients for Medicaid.  This is a program you will not want to miss!  Please feel free to bring your children.  Our Medicaid planning workshops fill up very fast, so please callKris at (608) 355-0907 to reserve your spot today!  

Greenhalgh Legal Services Announces Second Annual Red Cross Blood Drive!  On June 25, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,Greenhalgh Legal Services will be sponsoring our Second AnnualRed Cross Blood Drive right here at our offices at 202 Broadway in Baraboo!  Last year’s blood drive netted 19 pints of blood used to save lives.  This year the blood drive will be conducted in conjunction with presentations here at our office on topics of interest to our clients on estate planning.  Watch for future announcements, and plan to participate!

Greenhalgh Legal Services Client Maintenance Plan is Here!  Since our last email newsletter, several clients have signed up for our new Client Maintenance Plan designed to give you and your family the utmost in protection with regard to avoiding guardianship, probate and death taxes while ensuring that your estate passes to your heirs in the most advantageous manner possible.  Attached to this email is our flier detailing the features of this new service.  Please contact our office with any questions or to sign up, and we will send you a contract right away.

 Student Legal Kits Remain Available!  For your children and grandchildren, consider spending $150.00 per individual to have them covered in the event of sudden disability through preparation of our Student Legal Kit.  This consists of a general durable financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, living will, and HIPAA authorization form.  Perfect for children and grandchildren who have left home for college, the Student Legal Kit ensures that you will be able to handle your child’s financial matters and make healthcare decisions in the event of an unanticipated injury or illness.  Sign up for this excellent service today by contactingKris at (608) 355-0907.

Visit Our Website and Facebook Pages!  If you haven’t done so already, please visit our revised firm website, www.greenhalghlaw.com.  Also check out our Facebook page,Greenhalgh Legal Services, where we update you twice weekly with upcoming events in our area as well as breaking legal developments. 

Don’t Keep Us A Secret!   If you believe that you are better off having addressed the important issue of estate planning in your life, please help your friends and family find us by providing us with their names and addresses.  Don’t worry, we won’t bother them.  We would simply like to send them an invitation for a free initial consultation at our office.  You may refer friends and family members to our firm by calling Kris at (608) 355-0907, or by e-mailing her at kris@greenhalghlaw.com.