Section Newsletters

Articles on Elder Law

Not just a bill By Mary Cascino Elder Law, June 2010 HB 6477, which revises the Illinois Power of Attorney Act to minimize abuses, has passed the Illinois General Assembly and is ready for the Governor to sign.
The “real” living will* By Roza Gossage Elder Law, June 2010 A few light-hearted final words.
Book review: Author offers hope for better end-of-life care By Enid Kempe Elder Law, April 2010 Last Rights gives us a sense that with attainable changes in law and policy, medical training, and hospital habits, a better end-of-life experience can be made available to those who are gradually dying.
Case note: In re the Estate of Fallos By Edward J. Mitchell Elder Law, April 2010 The court in this case discussed the trend toward limited guardianships and found that they should be encouraged when a person is not totally without capacity to direct others concerning his care.
“When I’m 64”—Why elderly gay couples need marriage rights By Valerie Sherman Elder Law, April 2010 The hospital issues, estate planning, and inheritance issues that younger gay couples worry about come to reality as long-term gay couples age, affecting the elderly most acutely.
2010 Elder Law Quick Guide: Important numbers to remember By Martin W. Siemer Elder Law, February 2010 An easy reference guide for Elder Law practitioners.
An alternative: Public housing or housing vouchers By Donald A. LoBue Elder Law, February 2010 Some attorneys in the elder law practice spend a considerable amount of time advising clients on how to qualify for Medicaid and Medicare. As a general rule, Medicaid does not come into play until a person with a medical condition needs assisted care.
Legislative update: What to expect beginning January 1, 2010 By Susan Dawson-Tibbits Elder Law, December 2009 The Illinois General Assembly recently passed two bills that will have an impact on our elderly clients. Both of these bills become law as of January 1, 2010.
Use of trusts in VA pension planning By Steven C. Perlis Elder Law, December 2009 This article is on the use of trusts in qualifying veterans and their survivors or dependents for VA pension benefits. The pension benefit can be helpful in paying for unreimbursed medical costs, and often makes the difference between remaining at home and premature admission into a nursing facility.
Illinois legislative report by the Elder Abuse Advisory Committee, August 19, 2009 By Lee Beneze Elder Law, October 2009 Recent legislation of interest to elder law practitioners.
Representing hoarders By Michelle Sternberg Elder Law, October 2009 In order to provide good representation to hoarders, it is important to understand the condition.
The skinny on long-term care insurance By James Moster Elder Law, October 2009 Some considerations regarding long-term care insurance.
Alternative method for enrolling grandchildren in local school district proposed By Ford C. June Elder Law, July 2009 Oftentimes, grandparents are called upon to take care of their grandchildren for extended periods of time. If the parent lives in a different school district than the grandparent, the grandparent’s school district will often request the grandparent to become the grandchild’s guardian.  
Case study: An example in combining VA, Medicaid, and Community Care benefits to avoid long-term care placement By Steven C. Perlis Elder Law, April 2009 An example of a situation where several public benefits might be simultaneously available and enable an eligible client to remain at home rather than being forced into an institutional living situation.
2009 Elder Law quick guide: Important numbers to remember By Martin W. Siemer Elder Law, January 2009 Keep these numbers handy for quick reference.
The Charitable Gift Annuity: A valuable financial tool for the elder non-affluent client who has an inter vivos charitable intent By Dennis J. Jacknewitz Elder Law, January 2009 This article will attempt to illustrate to its readers how a charitable gift annuity can be a valuable tool for the elderly client who is not affluent, who has limited taxable income, who has a current charitable intent and who is not confronted with Medicaid issues.
Reconciliation of apparent conflict between state and federal law by Supreme Court holds that community spouses are liable for certain long-term care costs By John W. Foltz Elder Law, January 2009 A summary of the case of Poindexter v. Department of Human Services, 229 Ill. 2d 194 (May 27, 2008).
Financial abuse of the elderly: An overview By Elizabeth Fink Elder Law, September 2008 The purpose of this article is to educate on elder abuse issues, specifically the financial exploitation of the elderly.
Have you received your economic stimulus payment? Retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers still have time to file By Kristi Vetri Elder Law, September 2008 As of June 2008, the IRS had issued 76.1 million payments worth $63.8 billion based on 2007 tax returns processed so far. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year’s end.
In-Sites Government Lawyers, September 2008 Although we covered this topic a few years ago, Web sites have improved, so we revisit the topic of hospitals and nursing home ratings.
A woman’s nightmare: Long-term care—Two elder law attorneys’ perspectives By Rick L. Law & Diana M. Law Women and the Law, June 2008 He looked into his wife’s eyes and flatly stated, “I’ll put a gun to my head before I ever go to a nursing home.”
The growing epidemic of elder abuse: Recommendations for proactive judicial solutions By Judge Patrick T. Murphy Elder Law, May 2008 Financial abuse of the elderly is becoming a national epidemic. Because of the advances in medical science and our knowledge of healthier approaches to life, we are living longer.
DESK REFERENCE: 2008 Numbers and statistics By Martin W. Siemer Elder Law, February 2008 Part A deductible per benefit period: $1,024
Illinois Supreme Court to review the Fourth District Appellate Court’s decision in the Poindexter case By Constance B. Renzi Elder Law, December 2007 The Appellate Court of the Fourth District has recently held that the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 (MCCA) neither expressly, nor implicitly preempts state spousal support statutes.
The Practitioner’s Guide to the Illinois Department on Aging By Kristi Vetri Elder Law, December 2007 As elder law attorneys, we are expected to know about numerous issues affecting our clients’ lives and put together a plan for their care and protection.
How to make a summary care plan By Michael H. Erde Elder Law, October 2007 When the family of a disabled person comes to see you, they are usually very excited, stressed, and under a lot of emotional and financial pressure.
When Grandma and Grandpa can’t pay their bills By Eugenia C. Hunter Elder Law, October 2007 Increasingly, senior citizens are overwhelmed by debt caused by decreased income, credit card interest, medical bills and loans to adult children.
Case note: Estate of Howell, ___Ill.App. 3d___ 2007 WL 1246972 (Ill.App. 5 Dist. 2007) By Edward J. Mitchell Elder Law, June 2007 The Howell case involved the estate of Fred W. Howell. Mr. Howell passed away.
Case Note: Grate v. Grzetich, 2007 WL 1345247 (Ill.App.3 Dist. 2007) By Edward J. Mitchell Elder Law, June 2007 The Grate case involved a suit filed by Sue Grate, the guardian of the estate of Catherine Grzetich against Edward Grzetich who acted as a trustee of a testamentary trust created by John Grzetich who died in 1980.
Notes on the 33rd annual meeting of local area agencies on aging By Ann B. Conroy Elder Law, June 2007 Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (cutely nicknamed N4A), proved to be an energetic Keynote speaker at the thirty-third annual meeting of the eight-county Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging in Aurora, on April 13, 2007.

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