Page 21 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2022 - 29-06

ASSET TRANSFER
of ladybird deeds. A ladybird deed (allegedly named after “Ladybird” Johnson) is a deed where you still maintain the right to live in your home, sell it, mortgage it, etc., but when you die, it automatically transfers to the beneficiary you have named. Ladybird deeds have been around for a long time but it really wasn’t until the last 10 years or so that they have been used so much more. One reason is that it is a way to prevent the State of Michigan from taking your home after you die if you have been on Medicaid. Using a ladybird deed with avoid probate also.
Ask the
Senior Times - June 2022
Page 21
MICHAEL B. WALLING, PLC
Wills • Trusts • Powers of Attorney
Lady Bird Deeds • Nursing Home Planning
Don't Lose Everything You Have To the Nursing Home
I can help you save up to 100% of your assets.
Michael B. Walling, J.D., LL.M.
Let me help you properly draft and fund a trust before you or your spouse enter a nursing home; it could save you over $50,000!
MICHAEL B. WALLING
Elder Law Attorney
Author of "Ask the Attorney"
Call for a free
initial consultation*.
*Except Asset Protection Planning
(269) 968-1101
Offices in Battle Creek & Kalamazoo
www.wallinglawoffice.com
Helping seniors for over two decades.
ATTORNEY
Michael Walling, Special to Senior Times
QUESTION: What can we do to make sure our children don’t have a mess to deal with when my husband and I pass away?
ANSWER: That is a great question. I think when people have been through a “nightmare” of an estate adminis- tration, it has been because the estate went through probate. Clients who have had a tough time dealing with their parent’s estate want to make sure their children don’t have to do the same. You are in luck because it is easier these days to make things go smoother for your children when you pass away.
One of the first things that
has really changed in the last few years are transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts (sometimes called “pay- able-on-death” or POD accounts).
A couple of words of caution: First, double check who you have named as beneficiaries. If your named beneficia- ry has died and there is no contingent beneficiary, that asset will go to pro- bate. Second, keep in mind that when you name a beneficiary on an asset, that’s where that asset is going when you die. It does not matter what you wrote in your Will.
These are bank accounts where you basically name a beneficiary on the account. When the last owner of the account dies, the money is paid to the beneficiary you have named. So now you can have beneficiaries on your bank accounts, life insurance, IRA, 401(k), etc. Having a beneficiary will keep the asset out of probate.
Michael B. Walling is an Elder Law attorney with an advance Master of Laws degree. He manages the Elder Law Center and the law firm of Michael B. Walling, PLC. Mr. Walling is also a part-time Professor at Western Michigan University. Please email any questions you would like addressed to info@wallingplc.com. This column is intended for general information purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice to any particular person.
Another thing that has happened in the last few years is the popularity
Albion Health &
Wellness News
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Albion Health Care Alliance will join with other community health organizations to provide a HEALTH AND SAFTY EXPO Drive-Thru on Saturday, June 25, 12-2pm. Albion Health Care Alliance is partnering with Neighborhoods Inc. to assist low-in- come people with rent and deposits.
site Wednesdays from 8am-4pm. For more activities go to forskseniorcenter. org or call (517) 629-3842.
Calhoun County Health Department will expand their mobile health services this summer. WIC clinics are now offered in person. The Nurse Family Partnership program that provides nurs- es to the homes of first-time parents is continuing to grow.
Calhoun County Senior Services announced that the 11th annual SENIOR HEALTH FAIR will be held this year on September 8 from 9am-1pm at the Kellogg Arena.
Forks Senior Center is continuing with their weekly Lunch & Learn pro- gram. They have started a Move Well exercise class. Silver Slippers Fun & Fitness class continues on Thursdays at 9:30am. A veteran’s representative is on
Miles for Memories Community Stroll Celebration will be held Saturday, September 17 at Festival Market Square. Albion residents are invited to create a team and walk united to help create solutions for those impacted by dementia in Calhoun County. For more details reach out to milesformeories.org or (269) 979-1412.
Senior Day at the Fair will be held Wednesday, August 17. Activities will begin at 9am. To register call Senior Times at (269) 979-1410.
269-962-5527 • www.farleyestesdowdle.com • 105 Capital Ave., NE
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