Entries by Tracy Pulley

20 Questions with Bill Alexander

Today we learn more about Bill Alexander. 1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? a. Hawaii 2. What is your favorite family vacation? a. Outer Banks 3. What is your favorite book to read? a. I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes 4. What did you want to be when you were small? […]

30 Questions with Ashley Fox, Senior Associate

Today’s 30 questions is with Ashley Fox, Senior Associate Attorney. 1. Who is your hero? a. Mom 2. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? a. Cary, NC 3. What is your favorite family vacation? a. Busch Gardens, VA. 4. What motivates you to work hard? a. Making other people’s lives easier. 5. […]

30 Questions with Melissa Truelove, Senior Paralegal

This week, we’re getting to know Melissa Truelove. 1. Who is your hero? a. Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest daughter. While Teddy was president, she would barge in on cabinet meetings, wore pants, and had a pet snake named Emily Spinach. She broke all the rules at a time when it was scandalous to […]

VA’s 3 Year Look-back: What’s that about?

The VA has an unfortunate history of erecting barriers in all their claims processes so they can deny claims filed by veterans. The 3 Year Look-back is a new barrier for Pension claims (long term care reimbursement benefits) so that veterans who transfer property in order to satisfy their “asset test” can be denied if […]

Medicaid’s 5 Year Lookback: What’s that about?

When you apply for Medicaid, the caseworker at the Department of Social Services uses the Medicaid Manual to determine your eligibility for the program. The Medicaid Manual is their “Bible.” The North Carolina Medicaid Manual defines the “Lookback Date” as “The earliest date a transfer can occur and be evaluated for a transfer of assets […]

Top 4 Estate Administration Mistakes

Last week we learned the Dos and Don’ts after losing a loved one. This week we’ll explore the Top 4 Estate Administration Mistakes. The first mistake is Going to the Clerk of Court before Seeking Legal Advice. As discussed last week, going to the Clerk of Court first can lead to filing an unnecessary full […]

Dos and Don’ts after a Loved One Passes Away

When a loved one passes away, most of us are not sure what to do next. It’s a highly emotional time and we don’t want to do the incorrect thing. Below are some Dos and Don’ts upon losing a loved one. Do: Take care of the funeral arrangements; see if arrangements have already been made, […]

How to Choose a Trustee for your Trust

As we have discussed previously, having a good trust that has been properly funded can make or break your estate plan. However, a trust is only as good as its Trustee. While not everyone is lucky enough to have a lawyer or a financial planner in the family, there are some qualities that you should […]