Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging, during a person's life, for the management and disposal of that person's estate during the person's life and at and after death, while minimizing gift, estate, generation skipping transfer, and income tax.

A power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to appoint a person or organization to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so. However, all POAs are not created equal. Each type gives your agent (the person who will be making decisions on your behalf) a different level of control.

A medical or health care power of attorney is a type of advance directive in which you name a person to make decisions for you when you are unable to do so.

When a Medicaid application is made, the office of Aging and Disability Services of the Department of Human Services (the agency that usually administers Medicaid in each state) must provide the applicant a written notice approving or denying eligibility for services. The written notice must cite the rule(s) that led to the agency’s decision and describe the applicant’s hearing rights. Know how to preserve your assets.