PRIME TIME LAW
A Practical Guide for those who
are experiencing the Prime of Life
and for those who Care for them
An Educational Presentation by:
David L. McGuffey
Serving
Our Practice: People First
(706) 428-0888
www.mcguffey.net
All rights reserved, Copyright
2001-2004
Last Revised: February 17, 2004
|
Notice and Disclaimer: This Handbook is to be used for educational
purposes only. This handbook is
updated irregularly and some material may be out of date. It is not designed
to replace individual legal counsel.
Use of this Handbook does not create an attorney-client privilege
between you and the Law Office of David L. McGuffey, LLC or its lawyers. If you have a specific legal question,
you should see a lawyer who can discuss your case with you. Attorneys with and the Law Office of
David L. McGuffey, LLC are not presently certified as Elder Law Specialists
(although Mr. McGuffey is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist) by the
Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. No representation is made that the
quality of legal services provided by and the Law Office of David L.
McGuffey, LLC is greater than the quality of legal services provided by other
lawyers. |
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
People: Rights and Responsibilities 6
First Things First: Planning 6
Parents 6
Children 6
Organize your affairs 6
Planner/Questionnaire 7
Financing Retirement 7
Changing Levels of Income 7
Social Security/Retirement Benefits 8
Types of Social Security Benefits 8
Most people ask two questions about Social Security 8
Retirement Benefits 8
Am I fully insured? 9
More on Social Security Credits 9
When can I receive benefits: Retirement Age? 9
Since early retirement will permanently reduce my benefits, should I
retire early? 10
How much do I receive? 10
Social Security/Disability Benefits 11
Initial Advice 11
Am I eligible for disability benefits? 11
How can I tell whether I have enough SS earnings to be eligible? 11
Do I have a disability? 12
What if I am already receiving other benefits? 12
Where can I apply for Social Security? 12
Miscellaneous Information 13
How do I contact the Social Security Administration 13
What if I disagree with the Social Security Administration? 13
The Appeals Process in a Nutshell 13
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 13
Medicare and Medicaid 14
Medicare 14
Medicaid 16
Eligibility 16
Long Term Care Insurance 18
A Word about Doctors 21
Long Term Care (LTC) 22
What is Long Term Care ( 22
Do you (or does someone you love) need LTC? 22
Home Health Care and Congregate Housing 23
Assisted Living 23
Nursing Home Care 24
Admission Agreement 25
Resident Rights &nb