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MorrisonLawPLC.com | (504) 831-2348 | October 2025
METAIRIE OFFICE 3813 N. Causeway Blvd. Suite 200, Metairie, LA 70002
COVINGTON OFFICE 40 Louis Prima Dr., Covington, LA 70433
We live in a time when people actively seek out movies, books, and stories about things that scare them, from aliens to zombies. But when it comes to fears about estate planning, many folks still sweep those under the rug. As we confront our fears about all kinds of scary things this Halloween, it’s a great time to bring your estate planning fears out in the open. Here are a few that have haunted our clients in the past, with some solutions. It’s just too complicated. Many people think estate planning has to be a long, complex process. Fearing they will have to hack through a thicket of legal jargon, they put it off for years, or even decades. Once we lay out to our clients the pros and cons of various options, however, many tell us they are surprised by how quickly and efficiently they can complete the process, with far less stress than anticipated. We excel at simplifying complex legal concepts so you can leave behind Confront Your Estate Planning Fears This Halloween! NO TRICKS, JUST TRUTH
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a harmonious legacy that benefits the people you care about most.
What if things change? Some people fear that putting their wishes down in a legal document locks them into that way of doing things forever. What if I have a falling- out with a family member? What if my kids get divorced? What if the law changes? They want to adjust their plan if needed. These fears, too, evaporate as folks learn that nearly all of the estate planning tools we might use allow for revisions. In fact, to reflect the need for flexibility in estate planning, Chip offers his clients a free review meeting every 3–5 years. It’s bound to cause trouble. Many people are haunted by memories of bitter family battles over people’s estates, making them reluctant to dive into estate planning. Others would rather avoid the sensitive decisions that may be needed. Will our children feel as if they’re being treated fairly? Will they be mature enough to handle their inheritance? Perhaps your daughter’s husband just can’t keep a job. He’s lazy, and if they ever get divorced, what if he walks away with half of your daughter’s inheritance? We recommend setting guardrails in advance by establishing a living trust with the assets you want your child to receive. This enables you to limit the use of the funds to your child alone, choose your own trustee, and set limits on the ways the money can be used. Not only will the assets stay in your family, but that no-good son-in-law will never have a chance to spend them! If you’re ready to face your estate planning fears, contact us today to set an appointment! With nearly over two decades of experience in proactive, practical legal planning, we excel at helping our clients overcome their fears and leave a legacy that benefits the people they care about most. –Chip Morrison
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Know someone who’s been putting off their estate plan? Sometimes, all they need is a little nudge from someone they trust — you! Scan here to refer a friend and help them take the first step.
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(504) 831-2348
Families Face a Steep Price Tag for Aging Care As older adults stay healthy later in life, their longer lifespans also increase the likelihood that they will eventually need some kind of long-term care help. Louisiana is $5,100 a month, or $61,200 a year. Nationwide, the median cost of these facilities is $5,900 a month, or $70,800 a year. THE SOARING COST OF AGING
Louisiana, with two patients to a room, costs $7,483 a month, or $89,796 a year. The bad news, however, is that those costs exceed the state’s median household income of $60,023 by nearly 50%. If you want your loved one to have a private room, the cost increases to $7,604 a month. Nationwide, the median cost is much higher, at $9,555 a month, or $114,660 a year, for a semi-private room, and $10,965 a month, or $131,580 a year, for a private room. The outlook isn’t getting better. Nursing home costs are projected to rise by 16% by 2030. Assisted Living Assisted living facilities provide some help with housekeeping, social activities, maintenance, and meals, but they offer no medical care or specialized assistance for people with dementia or disabilities. The median cost of an assisted living facility in
Home Care Louisiana residents pay about $35 an hour, or roughly $220 a day, for a home health aide. These employees are trained to provide assistance with activities of daily living, housekeeping, and some medical needs, plus some companionship. That adds up to about $50,336 a year, or 80% of the state’s median household income. How do families cover these costs? They turn to almost every private financing option in the books — savings, cashing out IRAs, borrowing from life insurance policies, selling their homes, taking home-equity lines of credit, or getting reverse mortgages. For information about drawing on help from Medicaid, see Page 3 of this issue.
In recognition of October as Long-Term Care Planning Month, this is a good time to explore the latest data on long-term care costs in Louisiana. Even if you have Medicare and private health insurance, you are on your own if you or your loved one needs long- term care. Medicare typically covers only hospice care and up to 100 days in a skilled- care facility following a hospital stay — not custodial care. Nursing Home Care The good news is that our state offers the fourth-lowest median care costs in the country, according to an annual survey by Genworth, a financial services provider. A semi-private room in a nursing home in
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets INGREDIENTS
• Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store-bought (1 packet) or homemade • Cooking spray
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
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DON’T LET LONG-TERM CARE COSTS CRUSH YOUR NEST EGG Shield Your Savings
Roughly 1 in 3 adults 65 and over will need long-term care help at some point, such as a nursing home. Many of them are unprepared for the mind-blowing costs involved. Neither Medicare nor most private health insurance plans will pay for custodial care. The costs can quickly soar to nosebleed levels, crushing the nest egg a retiree has worked a lifetime to accumulate. However, even a well-to-do individual can qualify legally for government assistance if they lay the groundwork at least five years in advance. This strategy involves setting up a Medicaid asset protection trust. Medicaid is a government health insurance program that pays for custodial long-term care, but only for people with very few assets. Qualifying for Medicaid requires meeting strict income and asset limits. Middle-income people must often “spend down” their assets to less than Medicaid’s $2,000 limit before qualifying. Some assets, including one motor vehicle and the applicant’s home, aren’t counted, up to $713,000 in Louisiana. Healthy spouses are also entitled to certain allowances.
protection trust enables applicants to shelter assets for at least five years before applying for Medicaid. Under an irrevocable income-only Medicaid trust, an individual can receive income from the trust, but the principal remains out of reach. A five-year lookback period means that any assets transferred within five years of applying for Medicaid triggers a penalty, delaying eligibility.
Planning ahead for long-term care can be difficult. It’s wise to engage the help of an
experienced elder law attorney to navigate this complicated turf. Contact us for personalized attention and planning. We will help you develop a properly constructed plan to ensure you have the care you need while preserving the savings you worked so hard to build.
As part of the qualification process, Medicaid examines an applicant’s assets over the five years preceding their application. A Medicaid asset
To learn more about Medicaid and long-term care planning, scan the QR code below. You can even use our free Medicaid calculator to determine your eligibility.
“Chip and his staff provided my family exceptional counsel, in a thoughtful and professional manner. Extremely efficient and assures that one has a complete understanding of matter at hand.” 5-STAR REVIEWS
~Sid L. Jr.
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“Chip Morrison was wonderful in helping me arrange my mother’s will. Extremely professional and compassionate. Very pleasant experience… I would highly recommend his firm!” ~ Angela S.
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3 (504) 831-2348
3813 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 200 Metairie, LA 70002
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
pg. 1
Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Become a Horror Story
pg. 2 Retirees Face Sky-High Long-Term Care Costs
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets pg. 3 Don’t Let Care Costs
Devour Your Retirement!
pg. 4 Be the Grandparent They’ll Never Forget
MEANINGFUL WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS Create Memories That Last
There’s something very special about the grandchild- grandparent relationship. While parents often must play the role of disciplinarian so their kids stay out of trouble and become the best version of themselves, grandparents get to spoil and pamper the grandchildren. Most grandparents want
activities, pay attention to how your grandchildren react. If they enjoy them, do it again next year! Prioritize outings over gifts. Take a second to think about the best gift you received during your childhood. Now, imagine the best trip, vacation, or family outing you had as a kid. Which memory is stronger? You likely can’t even remember a specific gift you received, but those memories of trips to the zoo, beach, or mall have remained strong. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on gifts, consider taking your grandchildren out for an evening together.
this relationship to be as strong as possible, but it’s easier said than done, especially if you only see your grandkids a few times each year. Here are three strategies you can implement to strengthen your relationship with your grandchildren while allowing you to make memories to last for the rest of their lives. Take advantage of holidays. The holiday season is a time for families to get together, participate in time-honored traditions, and share their love for one another. Make sure you set aside time for your grandkids. Show them your favorite holiday movies, encourage them to help cook a few
Do what they want to do. To put it simply, your grandchildren will only get so much enjoyment participating in your favorite activities or regular routine. Figure out what they like and participate in those activities right alongside them. They’ll never forget the day they saw grandma ride around in a go-kart, grandpa win the big prize at the arcade, or their grandparents adding the finishing touches to an art masterpiece!
dishes, and involve them in your traditions and activities. Once you establish these
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