Christenson and Allex, LLC is built on extensive experience in Estate Planning, Nonprofit Law, and Small Business Planning. Your opinions and ideas are important to us. Our mission includes providing accessible services in a professional comfortable environment. We are flexible and take the time to communicate about your plans.
For more information on any of the following events, please visit our Events Page.
"Yours, Mine and Ours: Estate Planning for Your Lifetime and Your Legacy"
Thursday, August 12th at 11:00am
The Gef 1 Building located at 201 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI
This seminiar is specifically for employees of the Department of Workforce Development.
"Advanced Directives: The Best Way to Make Your Own Choices"
Wednesday, October 6th at 6:30pm
The Fitchburg Senior Center located at 5510 East Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI
This seminiar is open to the Public.
2010 Senior Expo
Wednesday, October 13th from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Stoughton Wellness and Athletic Club located at 2300 US Highway 51, Stoughton, WI
This expo is open to the Public.
"Yours, Mine and Ours: Estate Planning for Your Lifetime and Your Legacy"
Thursday, October 14th at 4:00pm
Emil Street Training Center located at 1600 Emil Street, Madison, WI
This seminiar is specifically for employees of the City of Madison.
Visit our Events Page to view the list of upcoming Madison Civics Club Speakers for their 2010-2011 Luncheon Series "Living in Community: The Connections We Share "
Visit our Events Page to view pictures from previous events, such as the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and the Jodi Lou Lung Cancer Run/Walk.
FREE Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com
Foreclosure Prevention Hotline:
888-995-HOPE
05.06.2009
"THE POTENTIAL POWER OF AN 'INDIVIDUALIZED' DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY"
Attorney Iris M. Christenson
Published in the April 2009 Senior Lawyers Newsletter
The Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) deserves more attention and perhaps should be elevated to the same level of importance we reserve for a person's Will or Trust. This "minor" document can have a major impact since it might be the sole means of protecting your assets from long term care costs. If the document is tailored to your unique situation and conforms to the changes in the Medicaid regulations your estate planning goals can be achieved, even if you lack capacity to handle your financial affairs.
Read more...
Question:
There has been so much upheaval in the financial services industry. I think that the company that I purchased my annuity from many years ago was bought by another company. Should this concern me?
Answer:
Yes. Unfortunately, sometimes certain important documents, such as beneficiary designation forms, can get lost or misplaced during a transition. This may lead to unintended distribution and/or income tax consequences after a person has died. If there has been a change in ownership of the original company where you purchased your annuity, you should contact the new company and request a copy of your beneficiary designation form. This will let you know if the company still has the form and, if so, who your named beneficiaries are. If you find out that the company no longer has the form or you wish to name different people than are currently listed on your form, you will be able to complete a new one.
Question:
Is it necessary to have a Service Contract with my son if he is going to do some work on my home and I think that someday I may need to apply for Medicaid?
Answer:
Yes. A recent ruling by an administrative law judge (MEH Decision MDV 16/107) makes it clear that you'll need to prove that the money you paid to your son was not a gift and therefore a "divestment". To prove the payment was not a gift, you should have a Service Contract that was signed BEFORE you paid your son. In the past, some attorneys would rely on an MEH rule that allowed payments to relatives without a contract if the payments were considered reasonable for the type of work being performed (e.g. caregiver services, remodeling work, etc.). This recent ruling leaves no doubt that payments to relatives will be considered gifts, even if the payment is reasonable and the amount is low. The solution is to seek the assistance of an elder law attorney to draft a Service Contract between you and your son.
Read more...
