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Veterans Need to Pay Close Attention to Their Estate Plan
By Frank Cseke of The Offices of Frank A. Cseke
United States Veterans: you have honorably served our country, made sacrifices, defended the homeland, and demonstrated the highest form of patriotism. As such, you are a special class of citizens entitled to the rewards of your service and duty, especially if during war-time. Moreover, you and your spouse may enjoy the benefits awaiting you through the Veterans Administration. Since its establishment in 1930, the Department of Veterans
Affairs has evolved to supporting and aiding the nation’s
veterans in numerous ways. One of these services for example, the Veterans Health Administration, is the largest single provider of medical care in the United States. Its 22regions with 154 hospitals and their associated 875 outpatient clinics offer the following services: Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy
and prosthetic services
Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-
based residential care
Sexual trauma counseling
Specialized health care for women
veterans
Health and rehabilitation programs for
homeless
veterans
Readjustment counseling
Alcohol and drug dependency
treatment
Medical evaluation for disorders associated
with military service in the Gulf War, or
Treatment
for exposure to Agent Orange, radiation,
and other environmental hazards
HISA grants
Other special benefits A pension, through the Aid and Attendance Program, is also available up to just under $2000 per month. And while many Veterans already know or have applied to the VA for these benefits, often what happens is that the surviving spouse of a veteran is not aware of their possible eligibility. As with applying for any other government entitlement program, there are a myriad of forms and requirements. Sometimes, these can confuse or delay the process. This is why a Veterans Benefits Consultant or an attorney can be helpful in the process, whereas many who assist veterans in their benefits applications do not charge a fee, or if they do it is a nominal sum (there may be other compensation for ancillary services such as financial or insurance products, trusts, legal counsel, etc.) In fact, federal law prohibits charging excessive fees for this service. In conclusion, if you are a veteran or a spouse of one you may want to consider having a qualified individual review your current benefits as well as have a professional consult with you regarding the pros and cons. Or, if you have a parent who is either a veteran or a spouse of one(maybe both) contacting a local VA consultant or attorney will not hurt in light of the availability of no cost consultations. With the rising costs of long-term care reaching figures in excess of $80 per day and the limits on Social Security income, much can be lost for the eligible veteran and/or his/her spouse. Remember, though you may be seeking the VA entitlements there are caps on income and assets that may require the need for some specialized planning, which is why an attorney is highly advised where the veteran or spouse has significant assets. So, before applying for benefits and submitting an application to the VA, if you are uncertain in any way about the process or requirements refrain from going forward until you have received adequate assistance and/or counsel from someone who has experience in the area of VA benefits. A CPA should also be contacted where possible tax implications are likely to arrise. For answers to your questions you may contact: Frank A. Cseke Attorney at Law 2120 Timber Creek Drive, C-2
Fort Collins, CO 80528 Office: 970.219.9978
Fax: 970.631.8897 email: estateplanner@mcom.com [ Circular 230 Disclosure: Pursuant to recently enacted U.S. Treasury Department Regulations, we are now required to advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained herein or above, including links, is not intended or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein. The information on this site or elsewhere is for information only. It is not intended to offer legal advice of any kind. This website does not establish the attorney-client relationship. Should you have any questions regarding legal matters you should contact an attorney. ]
Frank A. Cseke is a Fort Collins, Colorado-based attorney whose practice is focused on the areas of Estate Planning (Wills and Trusts), Business Law, VA and Governments Benefits Assistance. He serves as President of the Northern Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals. Before setting out on his own, Frank practiced civil litigation and criminal defense for two Northern Colorado law offices, where in his general practice work he grew his passion for Estate Planning and Elder Law. Moreover, he has taken on an emphasis in Veterans and Special Needs trusts. Frank received his J.D. from the University of Colorado, School of Law (Boulder), in 2004, where he also worked as a student associate for LexisNexis, Inc. Prior to attending law school, Frank gained experience as an entrepreneur and LLC manager, and later as General Counsel, with 4 Guys Investments, LLC of Fort Collins. Frank obtained his undergraduate degree (a B.A. in Political Science with High Honors) from Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, NE) in 1999, where he was a member of Alpha Chi, Phi Alpha Theta, and Sigma Tao Delta. Frank, who grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, now lives there with his wife, Daffney, and his son, Matthew, and step-son, Austin. "We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life." -William Osler
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Office Website:
| Blog:
| VA Aid and Attendance Video
| http://usveteransfinancial.page.tl/
| Fort Collins Courts Examiner
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
The Solo Lawyer
Sole attorney-practioner blog and blawg
thesololawyer.blogspot.com
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One of the top stories in the local press here has been how Filipino veterans who fought for the US in WWII finally were granted their pensions. If I'm not mistaken several hundred million were folded into the economic stimulus package. It took them years to do it but when they did it happened really fast.
 |  | nick Jan 6, 2010 00:50 | |
The Circular 230 disclosure thing is pretty funny. Typical government-speak. By the way, maybe this article might benefit from fixing some of the line breaks? Good job, though, useful info!
Great intel, Frank.
Our veterans and their spouses are deserving of all the help, that we people of America can give them.
Thank you for sharing this wealth of information with us.
Keep up the good work.
Frederick
The copyright for this content entitled "Veterans Need to Pay Close Attention to Their Estate Plan" has been specified by the contributor as:
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