Coyle & Eyman Elder Law

lose your homeowner’s property tax exemption if you add a person to the title who does not reside in your home. If you have more than one child, leaving your residence to one child and trusting them to “do the right thing” and share the inheritance with their siblings could go awry if that child chooses to keep the property for themselves. What’s more, gifting the property to a child denies that child a step-up in tax basis for capital gains calculation down the line, and could also complicate a future Medicaid application. You’d never know this all was coming your way if you hadn’t consulted with an elder law attorney!

On the topic of Medicaid and other public benefits, many people don’t know that an experienced elder law attorney can assist with long-term care planning and the Medicaid application process. The cost of paying for long-term care can be astronomical, and it can be daunting for families trying to figure out how to pay. The situation is even more complicated for the spouse of the Medicaid applicant, who is afraid to become impoverished as a result of the Medicaid “spend down.” The concept of estate recovery—the state’s recouping of Medicaid benefits paid out after the death of the Medicaid recipient—is also widely misunderstood. To make matters more confusing, each state has their own Medicaid rules. Attempting to research Medicaid issues online could lead an applicant astray if the information accessed is not applicable to Idaho. An elder law attorney can help Medicaid applicants and their families navigate this confusing and overwhelming process.

It is also common to feel put off or confused by “legalese” contained in Wills, Powers of Attorney, and other legal documents. It is tempting to prepare your own legal documents, or print something off the internet. However, those confounding legal phrases often have an important meaning, and leaving them off could have negative consequences. Also, legal documents obtained online could be tailored to another state, or contain unnecessary or contradictory terms.

An uncomfortable—but necessary—term to carefully consider in your estate planning documents, is that of predeceased heirs. This means that you must indicate who will inherit your estate if your children die before you do. Such an idea is no doubt upsetting and uncomfortable to discuss. However, if your estate plan does not specifically state what should happen in that event, your estate might be distributed to persons that you do not wish to include in your legacy. Tough discussions can be morbid, but they serve to avoid unintended consequences!

All in all, the expense associated with meeting with an estate planning attorney, in the long run, will far outweigh the expense of solving unforeseen legal problems down the line. Simple and effective tools exist to resolve issues and effectuate your goals. The experienced elder law attorneys at Coyle & Eyman Elder law can help you get started. Call our office at (208) 765-3595 or visit cwelp.com to learn more!

Rebecca Eyman is an Elder Law attorney and partner at Coyle & Eyman Elder Law in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Rebecca was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, and graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2012. As an Elder Law attorney, her practice includes estate planning, guardianships/conservatorships, probate/trust administration, and Medicaid/longterm care planning.

Let our team help plan for your future.

Our highly specialized legal professionals are dedicated to helping you navigate some of life’s most challenging decisions, including:

• Wills & Trusts

• Estate Planning

• Powers of Attorney • Probates and Trust Estate

Administration

• Guardianships and Conservatorship

• Other related Tax,

Real Estate, and Financial issues facing seniors Katherine M. Coyle is the region’s only certified elder law attorney—certified by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Rebecca Eyman and the rest of the team have the expertise and experience to guide you and your family each step of the way.

Estate Planning · Elder Law (208) 765-3595 · cwelp.com

Looking for a Caregiver Job? Does Company Culture Matter?

by FirstLight Home Care of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene

There’s a shortage of healthcare workers in this country across many areas, including in the home care field. That means if you’re looking for a caregiver job, your skills are definitely in demand. However, not all home care companies are created equal. When you’re looking for a job as a caregiver, it’s important to not only assess the duties and responsibilities you’ll be handling, but also the culture of the company. That culture will directly affect how you do your job and how you feel at the end of the day.

What is Culture & Why is It Important?

Culture is akin to a home care company’s unique personality. It includes factors like mission, vision and values. It also includes the beliefs and behaviors that determine how a team, including both leaders and employees, interact with each other.

When you work for a home care company with a strong culture that aligns with your own beliefs and attitudes, you’ll feel more comfortable on the job and loyal to your employer. During your tenure, you’ll also be happier and more satisfied, which will improve your quality of life overall.

What Cultural Attributes to Look for in a Caregiver Job

Given the impact it will have on your level of satisfaction, culture is important to assess when you’re looking for a caregiver job. But what specific areas should you search for when it comes to evaluating an employer and a potential job opportunity? Here are a few:

Reputation: When you’re seeking out caregiver jobs, do your homework and research each company before you apply. You want to work for a reputable, credible home care company. If you have friends who work in caregiver jobs, you can ask them for referrals and which companies are known as good employers in the industry. Reputation matters and you will be happier at a company that has a solid one.

Work Environment: It can be difficult to find out about the work environment from a job description. However, if you’re called for an interview, make sure you ask questions about the environment and what it’s like to be part of the team. Ask the person interviewing you what they like most about working for the company. Also inquire about areas like continuing education and training. These are good indicators that an employer values and invests in their caregivers.

Scheduling: You want to work for an employer who is flexible with their hours and schedule. This is particularly important when you have your own family and personal obligations. When searching for caregiver jobs, look for employers who are accommodating when it comes to scheduling flexibility.