Willett Legal, PLLC

06/03/2026

CMS has proposed a new Medicaid rule that could cap certain state Medicaid payments and align them more closely with Medicare rates.

Why does this matter?

Because Medicaid is the primary payer for many nursing home residents. When Medicaid payment rules change, it can eventually affect providers, facilities, access to care, and families trying to place a loved one in long-term care.

This is only a proposed rule, so there is no need to panic. But it is a reminder that Medicaid planning is not just about “qualifying.” It is also about timing, documentation, asset protection, and preserving care options before a crisis happens.

If you have an aging parent, spouse, or loved one who may need long-term care, now is the time to understand your options.

Good planning can protect your family, reduce stress, and help avoid rushed decisions during an emergency.

06/02/2026

The IRS recently issued new guidance on a SECURE 2.0 provision that may allow some people to use distributions from certain retirement plans to help pay for qualified long-term care insurance premiums.

A few important points:

This is optional, so not every retirement plan will offer it.

The distribution may avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty if it qualifies.

Income taxes may still apply.

Proper documentation from the long-term care insurance issuer will be required.

For 2026, the annual distribution limit is generally the lesser of the premium cost, 10% of the vested retirement account balance, or $2,600.

This is not a complete long-term care plan, but it is another reminder that planning early matters. Long-term care costs can have a major impact on a family’s savings, spouse, and children.

If you are in your 50s, 60s, or helping an aging parent, now is the time to talk through your options for incapacity planning, long-term care planning, asset protection, and estate planning.

05/28/2026

Scams targeting older adults are becoming more sophisticated, more aggressive, and far more costly.

In 2024 alone, older adults reported losing more than $2.4 billion to scams. These scams often involve someone pretending to be from the government, a bank, a well-known company, tech support, or even a loved one in trouble.

Please talk with your parents, grandparents, neighbors, and loved ones about this.

A few reminders:

• No government agency will demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
• Do not click links in suspicious texts or emails.
• If someone says a grandchild is in trouble, hang up and call another family member directly.
• Never send money to someone you have only met online.
• If a pop-up says your computer has a virus and gives you a number to call, do not call it.

And most importantly: being scammed is not a sign that someone is foolish or incapable. These scams are designed to create fear, urgency, and confusion.

If something feels off, slow down. Hang up. Call someone you trust.

Awareness protects families. Open conversations protect families. Planning ahead protects families.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is not about sales, cookouts, or an extra day off. It’s a day for lumps in your throat. A day for quiet gratitude. A day for remembering the brave individuals who gave everything for this country.

I think of the words of our Air Force PJs and CROs: “That Others May Live.”

And it gives me a lump in my throat to think of the warriors who truly lived those words... and who gave it all.

Today, we remember the fallen. We honor the missing. And we carry their sacrifice forward.

05/18/2026

Graduation season is here, and if you have an 18-year-old headed off to college, work, military service, or just stepping into adulthood… there is something many families don’t realize they need to plan for.

Once your child turns 18, they are legally an adult. That means a parent typically cannot just pick up the phone and schedule doctor’s appointments, talk to providers, access medical information, handle banking issues, or step in during an emergency the way they always have.

That is why Powers of Attorney are not just for the elderly. They are for every adult.

A Health Care Power of Attorney allows your child to name someone they trust to make medical decisions if they are ever unable to speak for themselves. A Financial Power of Attorney allows them to name someone to help with financial or legal matters if needed—whether due to incapacity, being out of the country, overwhelmed with school, or life simply happening.

When I was 26, I was in a serious car accident. Because my mom had already made sure I had these documents in place, she was able to step in when I needed her most.

These are the documents you hope sit in a drawer and never have to be used. But if the day comes, you’ll be grateful they’re there.

To every family celebrating a graduate—congratulations. And before they head into this next chapter… make sure they’re legally prepared for adulthood too.

05/09/2026

Some days in this practice feel like one crisis after another. Hospital calls. Family conflict. Facility issues. Insurance/Medicare/Medicaid problems. Hard conversations. Complex puzzles to piece together. True life.

But every now and then, I get reminded exactly why I do this work.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the very best people in some of the most beautiful places in North Carolina.

First was the NC Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ Spring Retreat in Lake Lure, where I learned about the current impact of AI on the practice of elder law from Louise Paglen (elder law attorney based in Davidson) - one of the best in the business. And I’m so happy I got to introduce Mave to Louise as she is a shining example of a strong, intelligent woman. On the last day, Mave and I made the climb to Chimney Rock, and the views were worth every step.

Then this week, I had the opportunity to attend a conference by Disability Rights North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Shout out to Marjorie Brown (elder law attorney out of Concord and another brilliant mind!)

I couldn’t help myself; I took a little work over to the Pit on campus and worked/people-watched for a while, walked around my old stomping grounds, and found myself thinking about the classes I took in those buildings and the friendships that have stayed with me.

This practice area is not easy. Elder law and disability advocacy often bring you face to face with some of the hardest parts of life. But the people I get to do this work with - my colleagues, mentors, advocates, and friends - are some of the smartest, most compassionate, and most supportive people I know. Not just attorneys. People. Good People.

I love this state. I love elder law. And I love the folks who keep teaching me how to fight for the Good People of North Carolina.

I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep learning. And I’ll keep working hard to better serve my clients and their families.

— Katie

04/24/2026

I just read the recently released North Carolina Adult Protective Services Report, and the numbers are sobering.

In 2023, North Carolina received over 1.5 million reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Of those, 303,338 cases were substantiated—that’s 34.6%.

Here’s what stood out most:

• The most common issues were self-neglect, financial exploitation, and neglect
• 70.5% of victims were abused in their own homes
• Abuse has been steadily increasing over the past five years
• Most affected age groups: 75–84, then 60–69, then 70–74
• 56.4% of victims were women
• Perpetrators were most often ages: 50–59, then 40–49, then 60–69
• In 35.7% of cases, the abuser had no relationship to the victim
• In 23.4% of cases, the abuser was an adult child

Let that sink in for a moment.

This isn’t just happening in facilities. It’s happening quietly, behind closed doors, in homes across our communities.

So what can we do?

We can’t prevent everything—but we can do more than we think:

✔️ Plan early – Don’t wait for a crisis
✔️ Have proper legal documents in place – Powers of Attorney and Revocable Living Trusts matter more than most people realize
✔️ Stay connected – Regular check-ins with aging loved ones (and neighbors!) go a long way
✔️ Watch for warning signs – unpaid bills, isolation, confusion, poor hygiene, sudden changes in finances or behavior
✔️ Speak up – If something feels off, it probably is

As an elder law attorney, I see firsthand how much heartache can be avoided with just a little planning and awareness.

If you have aging parents—or if you’re thinking about your own future—this is your reminder to start the conversation.

I’ll link the report below. It’s worth a read.

LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2023-APS-Report

04/23/2026

Fiduciary Duties: More Than the Law

Blog Post:

“Where you go I will go.” — Ruth 1:16

04/06/2026

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with a Vietnam veteran in his 80s.

He came into my office with a walker—his body worn with time—but his mind was sharp, and his kindness unmistakable. We spent time together discussing his planning, his wishes, and the life he has lived.

As our meeting came to an end, I walked him to the door. As I held it open for him to make his way out with his walker, he paused.

He turned, looked me directly in the eye, straightened himself as best he could… and gave me a salute.

It stopped me in my tracks.

I was deeply moved—honestly, on the verge of tears. To be shown that kind of respect by someone who has lived through and served during one of the most difficult periods in our nation’s history is something I will never forget.

Moments like that are a powerful reminder of why I do this work.

It is an honor to serve those who have served our country. And I will continue to advocate—fiercely and wholeheartedly—for every veteran I have the privilege to help.

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Willett Legal extends our sincere appreciation to our staff, clients, and the broader community we are privileged to serve. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice that grounds us, strengthens relationships, and reminds us of what truly matters. Wishing you a warm and joyful holiday.