Author Archives: Site Administrator
Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis As Basis For Social Security Disability
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both included in a larger set of conditions known collectively as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Over the years I have assisted many clients obtain social security disability benefits on the basis of their IBD alone. In this post, I discuss these conditions as well as how the conditions… Read More »
Beneficiaries Instead Of Probate: Use Caution
The term “probate” refers to the court process whereby a decedent’s assets are gathered together and, after the payment of the decedent’s debts, distributed to the decedent’s heirs. One way to avoid probate is through the use of beneficiary designations. The only assets that pass through probate are assets the decedent owned in his… Read More »
The Recent Court Of Appeals Decision Regarding The Firefighter’s Rule: Now What?
It has not been an easy few weeks for the auto tort practitioner or motorists in Maryland. A few cases have come down from the appellate courts that have left a stinging sensation in their wake. The first is one that may not apply to too many people reading this blog, but is important… Read More »
3 Issues To Consider When Drafting Your Power Of Attorney
So you are now convinced that you need a Power of Attorney (POA) in place to help your family and loved ones take care of you in your time of need. Or maybe you and your aging parent have decided that a POA needs to be executed in anticipation of deteriorating health. Below are… Read More »
Can You File For Unemployment And Social Security Disability Benefits?
The application process for Social Security disability benefits can take years. During that time period the claimant is – by definition – not working. (See 3 Reasons Your Claim Was Denied). How does the claimant pay for food and shelter during that long wait? Some claimants are fortunate enough to have spouses or family… Read More »
Back Problems: The Most Common Source Of Disability Claims
If your back has ever “went out,” you understand just how devastating back problems can be. In my practice, impairments involving the spine are the single most common disabling condition. What follows below is my legal (as opposed to medical) understanding of back problems and my strategies to obtain disability benefits as a result… Read More »
Maryland’s New Power Of Attorney Act
On October 1, 2010, a new power of attorney act went into effect in the State of Maryland. Efforts had been made for a number of years to get legislation passed that would govern the use of power of attorneys. The new Act should assist the general public by making power of attorneys easier… Read More »
Expediting Claims At The Social Security Administration
The social security disability claims process is a lengthy one. About 40% of those who apply for disability benefits are granted benefits on their initial application. It usually takes 3 to 6 months for the initial decision. For those that are not granted benefits upon their initial application, the delay can be from 12… Read More »
5 Important Facts About The New Estate Tax
In December 2010 Congress enacted the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This law created an entirely new estate tax regime. To understand the extent of the change, it is important to remember where we were prior to the new law. In 2009, the maximum federal estate tax was… Read More »
Case Study Part III: The Wife
The wife’s case was a bit more difficult than the husband’s. Although she felt pain immediately in her neck and shoulder, she did not go to the emergency. When the pain increased the following day, she figured Advil and hot showers would be sufficient. After about two or three weeks, she decided that she… Read More »