The Klieger Law Group, P.C.

Let’s be honest: Our pets become part of our family and, very often, become our favorite member of the family. Therefore, it’s only natural to want to provide for your pet(s) in the event you pass away. Luckily, there are some very simple and effective ways through your Will or a Trust to: - Name the person or people you wish to care for your pet when you’re gone; - Leave money or a stipend to help cover the cost of care and medical treatment for your pet; and - Provide an in...centive to find a loving home for your pet if the person you choose is unable to take on the responsibility. If you’d like more information, we would be happy to walk you through the process of making sure everyone you care about -- including your pet(s) -- are protected. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

PSA: A major change is coming to Community Medicaid (Home Care) eligibility in New York. There is currently no look back period to qualify for Community Medicaid. However, beginning October 1, 2020, New York will institute a 30-month look back period for all new Community Medicaid applications submitted on or after October 1st roughly 5 months from now. If you think you or your loved one may need help at home with performing activities of daily living (i.e. bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding, continence), and are concerned with how to pay for the care, we urge you to consider your options and take action in a timely manner. This change in eligibility could prove to be a costly and, perhaps, devastating change for those unaware of the new rules and who fail to take the necessary steps to plan and apply for benefits.

New York’s Attorney General just announced the opening of a hotline for nursing home residents, their families and members of the public wanting to share complaints or ask questions about nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number for the hotline is (833) 249-8499. And, of course, if you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us.

Through the internet, friends and family there is so much information available to us today that it is often difficult to separate fact from fiction. So we thought we would help dispel some common myths about paying for your long-term care needs and Medicaid. Take a look and let us know if any surprised you or if there is a Medicaid myth you think we missed.

PSA - New York has eased the stringent requirements for documents to be notarized during the Covid-19 pandemic. A Notary Public in NY can now notarize your signature via video conference as long as certain requirements are met. If you need a Notary during these extraordinary times feel free to reach out to us and we will point you in the right direction. https://www.forbes.com//remote-notarization-allowed-unde/

Estate Planning is not just for the wealthy. It is for anyone interested in protecting their family and property. Take a look at the ten things we think everyone should know about Estate Planning, why it is so important and how it applies to the average person. http://www.kliegerlaw.com/what-is-estate-planning

When clients come to us having just lost a loved one, the first question we are often asked is: What do I need to do now? Here are the ten things we tell our clients. http://www.kliegerlaw.com/what-to-do-when-love-one-dies

As we all try to navigate our way through these unprecedented times, keeping a positive perspective is more important than ever. Instead of thinking about all of the things we can no longer do, why not embrace this as an opportunity to slow down, pick up a new or old hobby, read a good book, appreciate family and friends and check off some boxes on life’s to-do list. If you’ve been putting off creating a Will or doing your estate planning, there’s no time like the present. The Klieger Law Group is equipped to handle everything remotely from start to finish, so feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll do the rest. In the meantime, stay healthy and be safe.

To do our part in protecting the health and well-being of our clients and community, as of this Thursday, March 19th, the Klieger Law Group will not schedule in-person meetings until further notice. We are, however, fully operational and able to hold both new and existing client appointments via telephone and/or video conference. Furthermore, all open and on-going client cases will be finished in the normal course of business. For any questions or to schedule a call, please feel free to contact us at 516-441-7673 or visit us at kliegerlaw.com. In the meantime, stay healthy and safe.

It is true: Medicare will not cover the cost of long-term medical care. However, there are ways you can plan ahead to qualify for other benefits that will help cover long-term care costs. Feel free to contact us if you would like to learn more -- we specialize in Elder Law. https://www.forbes.com//does-medicare-pay-for-long-term-/

The beginning of the year -- and a new decade, no less -- is a great time to review your estate planning documents. Check your beneficiary designations. Are your wishes still being met by your current estate plan? Also, since creating your estate plan, have you experienced any major life changes such as the birth of a child, birth of a grandchild, purchase or sale of a home, etc? If anything has changed or if you are unsure of the answer to one or more of these questions, be sure to touch base with your trust and estate lawyer to ensure that both you and your family are protected. From my family to yours, I wish you health, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year.