Author Archives: Site Administrator
Domestic Partnerships: How To Avoid Costly Inheritance Taxes On The Family Home
In this modern era, families come in all shapes in sizes. It has become fairly common for same sex couples to buy a home and raise children. Then there are opposite sex couples who share their lives, including buying a house together, but forego the formalities of marriage. In 2009 the Maryland legislature enacted… Read More »
6 Reasons Not To Put Your Child’s Name On The Deed To Your House
Instead of drafting a Will, many people just put their child’s name on the deed to their house. Their goal is to make things easier for their child by eliminating the need to go through probate. If the house is the only asset, this can be an effective way to avoid probate. (If there… Read More »
What Are Non-Exertional Limitations?
More often than not, it is my client’s non-exertional limitations that win their case. In prior posts I have described SSA’s analysis of disability cases using exertional limitations. (See What Are “Exertional Levels” and Why are They Important in a Social Security Disability Case?). Exertional limitations are limitations on the ability to sit, stand,… Read More »
What Are “Exertional Levels” And Why Are They Important In A Social Security Disability Case?
The amount of exertion (or effort) required in a particular job is a key component in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) analysis of every disability claim. The SSA classifies each job by how much exertion is required. For example, work that requires very little effort or exertion is considered to be “sedentary.” While, at… Read More »
Get Your Advance Directive: Don’t Be A Headline
In giving estate planning seminars, I am always trying to impress upon my audience the importance of planning while young and healthy. One of many reasons to plan sooner rather than later is to avoid being the subject of a news story like the one ran by the Associated Press on October 31, 2011:… Read More »
Should I Get An Advance Directive, A Living Will Or A Health Care Power Of Attorney?
The answer is the first one or the second one and the third one. The problem with answering the question is first and foremost one of terminology. For starters, each state calls these legal documents by different names. For instance, Maryland has an Advance Directive, Virginia has an Advance Medical Directive and the District… Read More »
Eliminate The Early Retirement Penalty With Social Security Disability Benefits
While it’s possible as early as age 62, choosing to receive Social Security retirement benefits before your normal retirement age is penalized. The “early retirement penalty” can amount to a 30 percent reduction in your monthly benefit. And what’s worse is that the penalty is permanent. Thus, although your monthly benefit will change with… Read More »
File A Maryland Workers’ Compensation Claim – Reporting Your Injury Is Not Enough!
You were injured on the job. You reported your injury to your supervisor and your boss filled out a form that you signed. The insurance company gave you a claim number and paid your medical bills. You had no contact with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission. You thought all was well. You were wrong…. Read More »
Safekeeping Your Last Will & Testament: 5 Recommendations
So you stopped procrastinating, hired a lawyer, and executed a Will. Now what should you do with it? To fully understand the following five recommendations it is essential that you understand the importance of the original Will. After your death, the original Will needs to be delivered to the Register of Wills (or its… Read More »
Social Security Benefits For Stay-At-Home Parents
Stay-at-home parents face a serious problem obtaining social security benefits. To qualify for benefits, they had to have paid into the social security system. For disability benefits, the disabled person must have worked 20 of the last 40 quarters (5 of the last 10 years) before their disability began. (See Have I Worked Enough… Read More »