Well, the “fiscal cliff” has been averted, for now. One law that fell over the cliff, however, is the CLASS Act intended to deal with the issue of long-term care for seniors. As a result, politicians did what they always do – form another “commission.”
The CLASS Act and the new commission formed to study the delivery (and financing) of long-term care was the subject of a recent Forbes article titled “Fiscal Cliff Deal Repeals CLASS Act, Creates Long-Term Care Commission.” As summarized in the title of this Forbes article, The American Taxpayer Relief Act or ATRA – does two things in the field of long-term care: first, it officially ends the CLASS Act, and second, it forms a new bipartisan commission to “tackle” the matter.
Is it a good trade-off? For starters, the CLASS Act had already been abandoned by the administration and Congress alike. On the other hand, this new commission might not find an alternative new solution. As the Forbes article notes, the commission is a “political commission” rather than a panel of subject matter experts. The commission has been given a window of six months to conduct its business.
The crisis of long-term care in America is still a developing one. How we come to deal remains to be seen. That noted, as an individual the time to take responsibility for your long-term care future is today. Be sure to consult competent legal counsel and your long-term care insurance agent to examine your options.
Have you or your elderly loved ones got your affairs in order by updating your Will and Trust so that your home and cash assets are protected from Medicaid and nursing home liens? There has been many changes in laws that may have impacted your estate plan. Call us for a review!
To register for a free estate planning workshop at the learning center go here: http://www.myfamilylifeplan.com/workshops-Registration-Form.php
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation please call Attorney Patrick Kelleher at 781-871-PLAN (7526) or by email at Pat@myfamilylifeplan.com
Our firm helps families taking care of them for life. We not only “create” their Will and Trust, but we “maintain it and keep it updated” for them throughout their life! The meter is not running for our ‘Client Care Plan’ members!
Patrick J. Kelleher is a South Shore, MA resident and estate planning attorney serving and protecting families and businesses in the South Shore, MA area. For more information on estate planning visit our firm’s website at www.MyFamilyLifePlan.com where you can check out our Blog, free Newsletter library, free Estate Planning Channel on Youtube and sign up for a Free e-Newsletter!
Also serving the following communities South of Boston; Quincy, Milton, Braintree, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Scituate, Norwell, Hingham, Cohasset, Hull, Hanover, Pembroke, Duxbury, Marshfield, Plymouth, Rockland, Hanson, Halifax, Plympton, Carver, Abington, Whitman, Kingston
This article is not intended to provide legal or tax advice or create or imply an attorney-client relationship. No information contained herein is a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney.
Comments