(Gaithersburg, MD) Delray, FL May 27, 2020: Mindy Felinton, founder of Felinton Elder Law & Estate Planning Centers, has posted a new article on her law firm’s website entitled “The Many Rewards Of Helping Others,” in which Ms. Felinton highlights the story of one client-turned-friend.

Mindy Felinton

Felinton writes, “The work I do as an elder care attorney is endlessly rewarding.” She continues adding, “I meet people all the time who come to my offices overwhelmed and confused – no, let me tell it like it is – they usually come to me feeling devastated. Many are dealing with severe illness of a spouse, the possible loss of their homes and no way of knowing how to manage the long-term health care needs of their loved ones.”

“Such was the case when Betty Strubel came to my office,” says Felinton. She goes on saying, “As very often happens, she was referred to me by the doctor treating her husband who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.”

As Felinton shares, “Betty was afraid she might have to lose her home and other assets in order to pay for her husband’s long-term care She had no idea how to access Medicaid nor did she know how to protect her existing assets.” Felinton adds, “Betty is like so many who come to me and, being able to help them untangle the fear and help them see that they will be able to keep their homes and pay for the care of their loved ones is so satisfying.”

Felinton continues, “My 30 years of experience helping people in similar situations means that I have the knowledge to help clients avoid the financial ruin associated with the high cost of long-term care.” She goes on to elaborate, “And, while in the past, Medicaid eligibility as regards long-term care was not difficult, there has been a steady drift towards more complex and restrictive rules. It is no longer as easy as reviewing one’s bank statements. There are a myriad of regulations involving look-back periods, resource limits, transfer penalties and waiting periods requiring extensive planning. I understand the process and the issues surrounding Medicaid eligibility and help my clients by implementing the planning and application process.”

According to Felinton, “Betty was so appreciative that I was able to unburden her and take these tasks off her plate. The sense of relief she felt was gratifying especially as she began to see light at the end of a previously very confusing tunnel.”

The entire article can be read at https://www.felintonlaw.com/the-many-rewards-of-helping-others/

About Mindy Felinton

From a young age, Mindy wanted to be the voice that would make an impact in people’s lives.   She became an attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years, so that she could fulfill her desire to help others.  As a special prosecutor, Mindy defended the underdog (literally) in cases of animal abuse.  As a state attorney in Florida she fought for justice. During the last 25 years, Mindy met many wonderful people who did not know their rights, did not understand the law, and did not know what options were available. She made a decision to focus her practice on Elder Law, Medicaid, Veterans’ benefits, and Estate Planning.  Thus she is able to guide her clients through those difficult and sometimes overwhelming processes.

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(Gaithersburg, MD) Delray, FL May 02, 2020: Mindy Felinton, founder of Felinton Elder Law & Estate Planning Centers, has posted a new article on her law firm’s website entitled “How Many Of The 41,155 People Who Died In The U.S. Of COVID19 Were Prepared.” Ms. Felinton’s best guess is that not many of those who died had their affairs in order. 

Mindy Felinton

Felinton writes, “While many of the 41,155 people who have died to date in the U.S. from COVID19 since early March were elderly, many of them were not.” She goes on to add, “How many of those dearly departed souls were prepared to take leave of this life, I cannot say. But, I’m willing to guess that many of them did not have wills, estate plans or any legal plans in place.” “As a result,” Felinton says, “once this pandemic dies down and the surviving loved ones are able to start sorting things out, they are more than likely going to be faced with a legal mess to untangle.”

“While life as we know it is disrupted, we don’t know exactly when we will be able to move about without being aware of social distancing again,” Felinton writes. She continues, “Until that time, caution is key. Even though you may be getting “cabin fever” or going “stir crazy” it’s better than the alternative. And while everyone is proposing all kinds of activities from learning how to play musical instruments or to speak a new language, I’d be more inclined to suggest taking steps to get legal plans filed.”

According to Felinton, “Having legal plans in place if you have minor children is integral. If you should get the virus and not recover do you know who will tend to your minor children’s needs? If you are a single parent, who will take care of your minor children? These are important decisions that must be made and it’s best to make them while you are healthy and of sound mind.”

Felinton writes, “This is also a time to focus on your elderly parents and loved ones. It’s a good time to suggest a review of their legal plans and to find out if they have designated a Financial Power of Attorney or a Health Care Power of Attorney. Many people who believe they don’t have much stuff or money, think they don’t need any legal planss. But most people have more things of value than they know.”

The entire article can be read at https://www.felintonlaw.com/how-many-of-the-41155-people-whove-died-in-the-u-s-of-covid19-were-prepared/

About Mindy Felinton

From a young age, Mindy wanted to be the voice that would make an impact in people’s lives.   She became an attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years, so that she could fulfill her desire to help others.  As a special prosecutor, Mindy defended the underdog (literally) in cases of animal abuse.  As a state attorney in Florida she fought for justice. During the last 25 years, Mindy met many wonderful people who did not know their rights, did not understand the law, and did not know what options were available. She made a decision to focus her practice on Elder Law, Medicaid, Veterans’ benefits, and Estate Planning.  Thus she is able to guide her clients through those difficult and sometimes overwhelming processes.

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It Will End But No One Knows When

While life as we know it is disrupted, we don’t know exactly when we will be able to move about without being aware of social distancing again. Until that time, caution is key. Even though you may be getting “cabin fever” or going “stir crazy” it’s better than the alternative. And while everyone is proposing all kinds of activities from learning how to play musical instruments or to speak a new language, I’d be more inclined to suggest taking steps to get legal plans filed.

Minor Children

Having legal plans in place if you have minor children is integral. If you should get the virus and not recover do you know who will tend to your minor children’s needs? If you are a single parent, who will take care of your minor children? These are important decisions that must be made and it’s best to make them while you are healthy and of sound mind.

Elderly Parents

This is also a time to focus on your elderly parents and loved ones. It’s a good time to suggest a review of their legal plans and to find out if they have designated a Financial Power of Attorney or a Health Care Power of Attorney. Many people who believe they don’t have much stuff or money, think they don’t need any legal plans. But most people have more things of value than they know. This is a time when unscrupulous family members could come out of the woodwork and start to take advantage of elderly relatives. It’s important to have legal plans in place to protect yourself or your elderly loved ones.

Health Care Workers And Grocery Store Workers

Are you a healthcare professional? You may be just starting out in your career and haven’t had a chance to think about your own mortality. But, the pandemic has changed that for so many healthcare workers. There has been an upsurge in online wills, however, you must understand that online wills may not provide the legal directives you need. It’s best to make a quick call to a reputable estate and asset protection attorney and/or an elder care attorney.

And what about those brave supermarket employees. The managers, the cashiers, the shelf stockers, everyone who works in a grocery store is putting their lives at risk during this pandemic. If you know someone who works in a supermarket and is over 18, you might want to check with them and encourage them to get some legal plans in place. As mentioned above, this is especially important for anyone who has minor children.

Don’t Take Chances

None of us knows if we will become a statistic during this global pandemic. While there is so little in our control right now, it may provide a sense of relief and security knowing that your loved ones’ needs are legally defined in the event anything should happen. We are helping clients get their legal plans drawn up via digital meetings. Give us a call and let us help you establish at least a small sense of peace.

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(Gaithersburg, MD) Delray, FL April 30, 2020: Mindy Felinton, founder of Felinton Elder Law & Estate Planning Centers, has posted a new article on her law firm’s website entitled “The COVID19 Death Toll Rises Among The Young.” Ms. Felinton shares information out of Mt. Sinai Hospital about strokes associated with COVID 19 killing younger adults.

Mindy Felinton

Felinton writes, “The devastating loss of life around the world due to COVID19 is unfathomable.” She continues, “In the U.S., to date there have been close to 1 million confirmed cases of COVID19. While the majority of those people have recovered, more than 54,000 people have died so far.”

“I can’t imagine the sadness and grief the loved ones are experiencing now,” Felinton says. She adds, “They cannot have a funeral or any kind of service to honor the lives of the dearly departed. The age of those who have lost their lives to this devastating virus range from a 6-week old infant to those in their 90s.”

“While it was initially thought that only older adults were susceptible,” Felinton writes adding, “that has been totally dismissed as younger, healthier people are being felled by this virus. In a WashingtonPost.com article about the number of strokes associated with COVID19, as seen at Mt. Sinai hospital  it was stated, “In a letter to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine next week, the Mount Sinai team details five case studies of young patients who had strokes at home from March 23 to April 7…The victims’ ages are 33, 37, 39 44 and 49, and they were all home when they began to experience sudden symptoms, including slurred speech, confusion, drooping on one side of the face and a dead feeling in one arm. One died, two are still hospitalized, one was released to rehabilitation, and one was released home to the care of his brother. Only one of the five, a 33-year-old woman, is able to speak.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/24/strokes-coronavirus-young-patients/?outputType=amp&fbclid=IwAR2qW2S6JEC0uwzQMfh5QhyU9pt5oAglZ0yVIQj38snf8tJ6RIwYlM5A8lw

According to Felinton, “Many of the younger adults suffering stroke symptoms are not going to the hospitals which are already overburdened. However, now that it’s clear that stroke symptoms are related to COVID19, it’s important to get to a hospital right away. According to the Mt. Sinai team as reported in the Washington Post article, “The most important thing for people to understand is that large strokes are very treatable.”

The entire article can be read at https://www.felintonlaw.com/the-covid19-death-toll-rises-among-the-young/

About Mindy Felinton

From a young age, Mindy wanted to be the voice that would make an impact in people’s lives.   She became an attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years, so that she could fulfill her desire to help others.  As a special prosecutor, Mindy defended the underdog (literally) in cases of animal abuse.  As a state attorney in Florida she fought for justice. During the last 25 years, Mindy met many wonderful people who did not know their rights, did not understand the law, and did not know what options were available. She made a decision to focus her practice on Elder Law, Medicaid, Veterans’ benefits, and Estate Planning.  Thus she is able to guide her clients through those difficult and sometimes overwhelming processes.

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The devastating loss of life around the world due to COVID19 is unfathomable. In the U.S., to date there have been close to 1 million confirmed cases of COVID19. While the majority of those people have recovered, more than 54,000 people have died so far.

I can’t imagine the sadness and grief the loved ones are experiencing now. They cannot have a funeral or any kind of service to honor the lives of the dearly departed. The age of those who have lost their lives to this devastating virus range from a 6-week old infant to those in their 90s.

Strokes Are Claiming The Lives Of Younger Adults

While it was initially thought that only older adults were susceptible, that has been totally dismissed as younger, healthier people are being felled by this virus. In a WashingtonPost.com article about the number of strokes associated with COVID19, as seen at Mt. Sinai hospital  it was stated, “In a letter to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine next week, the Mount Sinai team details five case studies of young patients who had strokes at home from March 23 to April 7…The victims’ ages are 33, 37, 39 44 and 49, and they were all home when they began to experience sudden symptoms, including slurred speech, confusion, drooping on one side of the face and a dead feeling in one arm. One died, two are still hospitalized, one was released to rehabilitation, and one was released home to the care of his brother. Only one of the five, a 33-year-old woman, is able to speak.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/24/strokes-coronavirus-young-patients/?outputType=amp&fbclid=IwAR2qW2S6JEC0uwzQMfh5QhyU9pt5oAglZ0yVIQj38snf8tJ6RIwYlM5A8lw

Strokes Must Be Treated Quickly

Many of the younger adults suffering stroke symptoms are not going to the hospitals which are already overburdened. However, now that it’s clear that stroke symptoms are related to COVID19, it’s important to get to a hospital right away. According to the Mt. Sinai team  as reported in the Washington Post article, “The most important thing for people to understand is that large strokes are very treatable. Doctors are often able to reopen blocked blood vessels through techniques such as pulling out clots or inserting stents. But it has to be done quickly, ideally within six hours, but no longer than 24 hours.” The message the doctors are trying to get out is that if you have symptoms of stroke, you need to call the ambulance urgently.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/24/strokes-coronavirus-young-patients/?outputType=amp&fbclid=IwAR2qW2S6JEC0uwzQMfh5QhyU9pt5oAglZ0yVIQj38snf8tJ6RIwYlM5A8lw

Anyone Over 18 Needs A Will And Advanced Directive

There are going to be more deaths. And if quarantine restrictions are lifted too early, there may be way more deaths than there are to date. Anyone over the age of 18 who is still alive and well and has not created a will, a health directive or an estate plan, now is the time to take action. It’s bad enough if your loved ones have to deal with losing you. It’s even worse if they have to go through painful legal procedures to manage the assets you may leave behind.

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(Gaithersburg, MD) Delray, FL April 29, 2020: Mindy Felinton, founder of Felinton Elder Law & Estate Planning Centers, has posted a new blog on her law firm’s website entitled “Make Sure Your Will Is Legally Binding And Meets Your Specific State Requirements.” Ms. Felinton understands the frenzy leading to the desire to get a will and wants to help people make sure their wills are going to be legally binding in their state.

Felinton writes, “Unlike anything that we’ve seen in our lifetimes, the COVID19 pandemic is causing people of every age to suddenly realize their mortality. As a result,” she adds, “there has been a steep increase in the immediate demand for wills as well as estate plans.”

As Felinton points out, “Initially it was thought that only people over 50 and in particular those with pre-existing health issues were susceptible to intense symptoms and death. However, as the virus has been spreading there have been new discoveries.” She emphasizes, “One of the most revealing is that it seems to be causing strokes in younger, seemingly healthy adults.”

Felinton acknowledges, “Following the established protocols and taking great caution when you have to go out for food and other supplies along with self-quarantining is integral,” and she adds, “yet there are no guarantees. Getting your desires down in a legally-binding will and/or estate plan is without question, more important than ever.”

The entire blog can be read at https://www.felintonlaw.com/make-sure-your-will-is-legally-binding-and-meets-your-specific-state-requirements/

About Mindy Felinton

From a young age, Mindy wanted to be the voice that would make an impact in people’s lives.   She became an attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years, so that she could fulfill her desire to help others.  As a special prosecutor, Mindy defended the underdog (literally) in cases of animal abuse.  As a state attorney in Florida she fought for justice. During the last 25 years, Mindy met many wonderful people who did not know their rights, did not understand the law, and did not know what options were available. She made a decision to focus her practice on Elder Law, Medicaid, Veterans’ benefits, and Estate Planning.  Thus she is able to guide her clients through those difficult and sometimes overwhelming processes.

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Initially it was thought that only people over 50 and in particular those with pre-existing health issues were susceptible to intense symptoms and death. However, as the virus has been spreading there have been new discoveries. One of the most revealing is that it seems to be causing strokes in younger, seemingly healthy adults.

The important point is that no one of any age is immune to this virus. I’ve read about young children who have died from this virus as well as hale and hearty men under the age of 40. According to CNN, “The new coronavirus appears to be causing sudden strokes in adults in their 30s and 40s who are not otherwise terribly ill.” https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/22/health/strokes-coronavirus-young-adults/index.html

Following the established protocols and taking great caution when you have to go out for food and other supplies along with self-quarantining is integral, yet there are no guarantees. Getting your desires down in a legally-binding will and/or estate plan is without question, more important than ever.

My firm is available to create wills, estate plans and trusts that are legally-binding and state specific. There may be online forms, however, if your online will is not what your state requires, then you won’t have documents that will hold up in court. Every state has separate requirements. Give us a call. Of course we all hope for the very best. And in the best of circumstances, having a will in place is always a good idea.

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(Gaithersburg, MD) Delray, FL April 27, 2020: Mindy Felinton, founder of Felinton Elder Law & Estate Planning Centers, has posted a new article on her law firm’s website entitled “Your Retirement Plan Is Not Your Kid’s Education Plan.” Ms. Felinton writes, “I don’t often do this, but in this one area I am going to make an unequivocal statement: Don’t even think about using your retirement plan to fund your kids’ college education.”

Mindy Felinton

She is ready and seems to know readers will respond with a wondering “why”?  She elaborates, “Well, there are numerous reasons. The most important being that you want your kids to become financially responsible and independent. And, equally important, you want to be able to retire comfortably.”

Felinton goes on to write, “Here are a few more good reasons to add to your list. There are actually ways that paying for your kids college with a tax-advantaged employer retirement plan can really hurt you.” “For instance,” she explains, “if you withdraw anything from your retirement plan before you reach 59 ½ years of age, you’ll be hit with a 10% tax penalty. You’ll also get hit with a tax bill for the tax year in which you make the withdrawal since that money is counted as income.”

“Your kids’ education is important,” says Felinton, adding, “and so is your retirement. It’s important to educate yourself to the many other financial ways of helping your kid get an education.”

Felinton writes, “According to a recent survey by Sallie Mae, one of the nation’s largest student loan lenders, about one-third of Americans with kids under 18 say they plan to use retirement savings or “could use if needed” to help pay for their children’s education.” She also explains, “What many parents don’t understand is that by using their retirement savings to help their kids through college may only put more stress on their children when they see their parents struggling financially in retirement.”

The entire article can be read at https://www.felintonlaw.com/your-retirement-plan-is-not-your-kids-education-plan/

About Mindy Felinton

From a young age, Mindy wanted to be the voice that would make an impact in people’s lives.   She became an attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years, so that she could fulfill her desire to help others.  As a special prosecutor, Mindy defended the underdog (literally) in cases of animal abuse.  As a state attorney in Florida she fought for justice. During the last 25 years, Mindy met many wonderful people who did not know their rights, did not understand the law, and did not know what options were available. She made a decision to focus her practice on Elder Law, Medicaid, Veterans’ benefits, and Estate Planning.  Thus she is able to guide her clients through those difficult and sometimes overwhelming processes.

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Reasons Why

Here are a few more good reasons to add to your list. There are actually ways that paying for your kids college with a tax-advantaged employer retirement plan can really hurt you. For instance, if you withdraw anything from your retirement plan before you reach 59 ½ years of age, you’ll be hit with a 10% tax penalty. You’ll also get hit with a tax bill for the tax year in which you make the withdrawal since that money is counted as income.

Ordinary Taxable Income

I mentioned other ways of paying for your child’s education. One of the most often used is student aid. If you use your retirement funds to pay for education, it can actually hurt your child’s ability to qualify for student aid. Here’s why. Once again, pulling cash out is going to be considered “ordinary income” and may put your total wages for the year beyond what qualifies for assistance.

Educate Yourself

Your kids’ education is important and so is your retirement. So, it’s important to educate yourself to the many other financial ways of helping your kid get an education.

You want your retirement account to grow tax-free. And funding your retirement account is actually an advantage when applying for financial aid because retirement accounts aren’t counted when considering if a family economically qualifies.

Accomplish Both Goals Without Compromise

Of course it’s important to help your kids get a college education. And, the beautiful thing is that you can accomplish that goal without compromising or jeopardizing your retirement goals. Working with an estate and asset protection attorney to include a child’s education goals as well as your retirement among your financial goals could be very advantageous.

Give Yourself And Your Child Every Advantage 

According to a recent survey by Sallie Mae, one of the nation’s largest student loan lenders, about one-third of Americans with kids under 18 say they plan to use retirement savings or “could use if needed” to help pay for their children’s education. What many parents don’t understand is that by using their retirement savings to help their kids through college may only put more stress on their children when they see their parents struggling financially in retirement.

Giving your child the advantage of a good education is every parent’s dream. The smart way to accomplish that goal is to do it without putting your own retirement at risk. It’s like the instruction you get on an airplane. If you’re traveling with a child or someone who is not able to help themselves and the oxygen masks come down. Put your mask on first. Because if you aren’t in a position to help yourself first, you won’t be able to help your child.

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Rockville, MD. April 24, 2020: Mindy Felinton, founder of Felinton Elder Law & Estate Planning Centers, has posted a new blog on her law firm’s website entitled “A Greater Need For Getting Legal Documents Created And Filed.” Ms. Felinton recognizes there are more unknown factors than there are known.

As Felinton writes, “With COVID-19 spreading like wildfire around the globe and throughout the U.S. and striking down people of every age, there has never been a greater reminder of how important it is to get your affairs in order as soon as possible.” She emphasizes, “You simply never know what will happen.”

“Getting important legal documents in order during this historic pandemic,” says Felinton, “can provide peace of mind when any sense of peace is in short supply.” She continues adding, “The greatest sense of peace will come when this is all behind us and you will have accomplished the goal that you had been putting off. “

As Felinton points out, “No one knows how long shelter-in-place orders will be in effect. No one knows if they have the COVID-19 virus until they start having symptoms.” She goes on to say, “There are so many more things we don’t know about this virus than we do know. We do know that getting it doesn’t mean a death sentence in every circumstance. In fact far more people have survived it than have died. But that is little comfort when you consider the numbers.”

The entire blog can be read at https://www.felintonlaw.com/a-greater-need-for-getting-legal-documents-created-and-filed/

About Mindy Felinton

From a young age, Mindy wanted to be the voice that would make an impact in people’s lives. She became an attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years, so that she could fulfill her desire to help others. As a special prosecutor, Mindy defended the underdog (literally) in cases of animal abuse. As a state attorney in Florida she fought for justice. During the last 25 years, Mindy met many wonderful people who did not know their rights, did not understand the law, and did not know what options were available.

Mindy assists families with Medicaid planning to help with the cost of nursing home care and with obtaining veteran’s benefits to make the cost of care more manageable.   She also prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives.  Mindy is passionate about educating both other professionals and the public concerning VA Aid & Attendance benefits, Medicaid benefits,  and the use of trusts for the protection of assets.  She shares her experience and professional knowledge through free workshops, and as a frequent lecturer at State Bar Conferences.

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