Gift tax and estate tax laws can really throw a wrench in the works when trying to help family and friends experiencing financial hardship in this difficult economy. Giving too much help of the wrong kind can subject those gifts to taxes or deplete your lifetime gift exclusion so that your estate becomes subject to taxes.

Ohio veterans, benefits from the Aid & Attendance pension for war veterans can help pay for in-home care, assisted living or a nursing home. As a lawyer focusing on estate planning, I find that few veterans are aware of these VA benefits and don’t understand how to qualify for them.