When a family member falls ill, questions about their finances often arise. A common scenario involves a bank account, an unmarried partner (like a girlfriend of 12 years), and a concerned family. If you are asking, "Does my brother's girlfriend get the money in his account if he passes away?"  the answer lies in understanding two critical legal concepts: Payable on Death (POD)  and Probate . What is "Payable on Death" (POD)? A Payable on Death (POD)  recipient is essentially

One of the most common fears for homeowners is losing their house to pay for long-term care. A frequent question we receive is: "I filed a Transfer on Death on my home, bank account, and car titles. Can Medicaid still go after my home if I enter a nursing home?" The short answer is: It depends entirely on the state you live in. If you are trying to protect your assets from Medicaid recovery, understanding the specific tools available in your state—like Florida's "Lady Bird De

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)  is widely considered one of the most essential documents in an estate plan. However, a significant issue frequently arises when individuals rely on short, generic forms found on the internet or drafted by those without specific experience in Elder Law . While the desire for a simple, one-page document is understandable, "less isn't always better." In fact, when it comes to legal authority, lack of specificity can lead to disastrous conseque