Ladybird Deeds Made Simple

By Susan Chalgian on September 29, 2017

The best way to understand a ladybird deed is to think of it as a beneficiary designation on real estate. That is, the property continues to be owned in all respects by the person...

What Is A Medicaid Block Grant?

By Christopher Smith on March 6, 2017

Somewhere in the U.S. Capitol is a locked down health care bill that will likely be introduced by the House of Representatives this week. Early indications are that the draft bill...

Estate Recovery in the Court of Appeals

By Chalgian & Tripp on December 2, 2014

For those who follow the “estate recovery” saga, you may be interested to know that there are two cases currently pending in the Court of Appeals. In Re Estate of Violet...

Estate Recovery Cases Continue

By Chalgian & Tripp on August 5, 2014

Judge Barkey of Genesee County Probate Court recently issued an opinion in an estate recovery case. The case was handled by our office, Chalgian and Tripp Law Offices,...
I realized the other day there are a handful of things I never tire of watching.  One of those is probate court proceedings.  Admittedly I watch probate court proceedings in...
Here’s another balance that’s hard to strike – and hard to help clients understand and decide. Typical example: Husband and wife have been married 50 years.  They are both...

Local Courts Hold Ground in Medicaid Cases

By Doug Chalgian on June 8, 2013

The bad news is that the Attorney General is actively shopping around for Medicaid cases to attack.  The good news is that local probate judges are – so far – holding the...

Estate Recovery Change

By Doug Chalgian on April 18, 2013

The State of Michigan recently terminated the contract for Health Management Services (“HMS”).  HMS was the Texas company that was hired by the State to manage their estate...

An Inconvenient Obstacle to Community Based LTC

By Doug Chalgian on February 12, 2013

Summary Because asset protection strategies commonly used in the context of nursing home Medicaid are problematic in the context of MI Choice Waiver and PACE programs, a...

Plan to be 100

By Doug Chalgian on January 10, 2013

These days, living to be 100 years-old is not unusual.  But most people (at least most of my clients) don’t necessarily want to think about what that means from a planning...

Lady Bird Deeds and the Low Hanging Fruit

By Doug Chalgian on January 9, 2013

Nearly two years ago, Michigan began implementing a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program.  “Estate recovery” means that people who receive Medicaid assistance in the nursing...

The King Lear Complex

By Doug Chalgian on January 8, 2013

King Lear is a fictional king of ancient times.  William Shakespeare wrote one of his darkest plays about this character. The King was a good man.  He was getting up in years. ...

Plan to Be 100

By Doug Chalgian on January 1, 2013

Plan to Be 100

These days, living to be 100 years old is not unusual. But most people (at least most of my clients) don’t necessarily want to think about what that means from a planning perspective. As their advisor, I share these thoughts…

Ladybird Deeds: Readers Digest Version For Upcoming Program

By Chalgian & Tripp on December 20, 2012

I am presenting on ladybird deeds at the upcoming State Bar Solo and Small Firm Institute, September 19-21.  Still time to sign up.  Following is an abbreviated version of what...

SNTs, Obamacare and More

By Chalgian & Tripp on December 19, 2012

A recent unpublished COA opinion raises some interesting issues regarding the probate court’s role in creating special needs trusts, as well as some food for thought on how the...