Many individuals seeking representation in obtaining their Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or dealing with a denial of benefits take comfort in learning that their legal fees can be paid directly by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA allows a representative to recover either a contingency fee of 25 percent of past due benefits.. read more →
Elder and Disability Law News for October 2022 from Vanarelli & Li, LLC
For additional information concerning NJ elder law and special needs planning visit: NJ Elder Law and Estate Planning Services read more →
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that its beneficiaries will see a significant increase – totaling nearly 9 percent – in their monthly Social Security checks come January 2023. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the largest boost to Social Security benefits in more than 40 years. The increase for 2022 was 5.9 percent. Supplemental Security.. read more →
Recently, I read an interesting article in the Washington Post about Dateability, a dating app designed for disabled and chronically ill people. Dateability was launched this year, on October 21st. It carries the slogan “Making love accessible.” Some people with disabilities feel they are discriminated against by other users on dating platforms, and not seen.. read more →
10 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs 1. Doing nothing. The most popular estate plan in the Unites States is doing nothing. While not a good idea for anyone, it is particularly troubling when there is a loved one with special needs. If someone does nothing and then.. read more →
Six years ago, New Jersey Family launched Best NJ Lawyers for Families campaign. The website asks parents about the lawyers who’ve made a difference in their family’s lives at the most stressful of times. According to the website, the nominations by parents result in a list of professionals who’ve “gone above and beyond” to advocate for their.. read more →
If a person declared to be incapacitated wishes to execute a Last Will and Testament, there a judgment must first be entered by a court declaring that the proposed testator has regained capacity to do so. See N.J.S.A. 3B:12-27; In re Estate of Frisch, 250 N.J. Super. 438 (Law Div. Probate Part 1991); In re.. read more →
Chen Li, Esq. (http://VanarelliLaw.com/) will present on the “New Jersey Probate Process and Executor Duties: Master Checklist with Deadlines” given by the National Business Institute on August 17, 2022 via online seminar. Ms. Li will discuss the probate process in New Jersey including an overview of the duties required of an estate executor. She will.. read more →
The asset limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has been stuck at $2,000 since 1984. That’s equivalent to more than $5,600 today. So, in effect, it has been cut by almost two thirds. There is now a bill in congress, the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act that would raise the asset limit to $10,000 for.. read more →
For additional information concerning special needs trusts and disability planning, visit: NJ Special Needs Trusts and Disability Planning For additional information concerning guardianships and fiduciary services, visit: NJ Guardianship and Fiduciary Services read more →
For additional information concerning New Jersey elder law, visit: NJ Elder Law and Estate Planning Services For additional information concerning special needs trusts and disability planning, visit: NJ Special Needs Trusts and Disability Planning read more →
We are pleased to announce that Donald D. Vanarelli was named to the New Jersey Super Lawyer’s list in Elder Law in 2022. Out of 85,000 attorneys licensed to practice law in New Jersey, and the numerous attorneys who practice Elder Law in our state, Mr. Vanarelli is one of only 32 attorneys to be.. read more →
It is with great pride and gratitude for her years of effort and loyalty to the firm that we welcome Chen Li, Esq. as a named partner of the firm, which has changed its name to Vanarelli & Li, LLC. Chen Li brings 20 years of legal experience in the areas of Medicaid and public.. read more →
Every day the lives of older adults are profoundly and negatively impacted in both the criminal and civil justice systems based on mistaken assumptions and inadequate assessments of their capacity to make decisions for themselves. In order to raise greater awareness of these issues and improve how elder justice professionals approach these issues, the Department.. read more →
News Alert from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website: Medicare does not currently pay for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. However, as part of the ongoing efforts to expand Americans’ access to free testing, Medicare recipients will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost starting in early spring. Under the new initiative,.. read more →
Elder and Disability Law News for January 2022 from Vanarelli & Li, LLC
For additional information concerning NJ elder law and special needs planning visit: NJ Elder Law and Estate Planning Services read more →
On January 14, 2022, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, United States Department of Health and Human Services, issued the following Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services As a result of the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on this date.. read more →
The maximum amount that can be contributed each year to an ABLE account for a person with disabilities rose $1,000 to $16,000 on January 1, 2022. The figure, which is tied to the inflation-adjusted value of the IRS’s gift tax exclusion, had been stuck at $15,000 since 2018. Meanwhile, all but four states now offer ABLE programs. Congress.. read more →
2022 Elder Law Fact Sheet
Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, estate administration and special needs trust planning, including Medicaid figures, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. Be sure to check back often, as we will add any information that has not yet been released and update the.. read more →
Being able to make health care decisions for ourselves is very important, but what happens if you become incapacitated and are unable to voice an opinion concerning your medical care? If you don’t have a health care proxy or guardian in place, state law chooses who can make those decisions. A few states, such as.. read more →
Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. to Present on “End-of-Life” Issues at the 2021 Elder Law College–Second Semester
2021 Elder Law College–Second Semester Format/Skill Level: Webinar Location: Online Date: December 1, 2021 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. (http://VanarelliLaw.com/) will present at the 2021 Elder Law College–Second Semester given by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on December 1, 2021 via ZOOM videoconference webinar. Mr. Vanarelli.. read more →
On November 18, 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court entered an Order addressing whether proceedings in state courts should be conducted in person or virtually as the COVID-19 pandemic ends. In doing so, the Supreme Court stated that it tried to balance “the reduced time and cost associated with virtual proceedings” with the benefits of.. read more →
Recently, CMS Issued New Guidance for Unrestricted Visitation in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Nursing homes have been severely impacted by COVID-19, with outbreaks causing high rates of infection and death. In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memorandum providing guidance to facilities on restricting visitation.. read more →
Long-term care comes at a tremendous financial price, especially around-the-clock nursing home care. The cost of a private room in a nursing home in New Jersey is at least $12,000 per month, and may be more. Most people end up paying for long-term care and/or nursing home care out of their savings until they spend.. read more →
Elder and Disability Law News for October 2021 from Vanarelli & Li, LLC
For additional information concerning New Jersey elder law, visit: NJ Elder Law and Estate Planning Services For additional information concerning mediation and conflict resolution, visit: Resolving Conflicts Through Collaborative Law read more →
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