News from Bivens & Associates OCTOBER 2026

OCTOBER 2026

Greetings!

Fall is officially here, and as we welcome cooler temperatures and the final quarter of 2026, it’s a wonderful time to reflect, refocus, and prepare for the holidays and year ahead.

In this month's newsletter, we're sharing helpful legal insights, planning tips, and updates to help you and your family stay informed and prepared.

Whether you're taking care of your family by updating your estate plan, navigating elder law concerns to help older loved ones, or planning for a loved one with special needs, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or explore the valuable resources we’ve included in this newsletter and on our website, including our free e-library. And don't forget - follow us on social media for frequent doses of entertainment and education.

Our E-Newsletter is designed to bring you valuable tips and updates. Please share with anyone who may find it helpful.

Sincerely,

Stephanie A. Bivens, Esq., Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation

We are accepting new clients and deeply appreciate your referrals!

ESTATE PLANNING - PROBATE - TRUST ADMINISTRATION

Trump Accounts Explained: How to Claim Your Child’s Account, Contribute Money, and Make Withdrawals

Did you know that over 7 million American children now have Trump Accounts established in their names, but parents and guardians may need to take action to claim and activate them. These new tax-advantaged investment accounts offer families an opportunity to save for a child’s financial future, including a potential $1,000 federal contribution for qualifying children.

👉Click Here for Details

Q: Do I need a Will or Trust?

A: This is one of the most common questions people ask when beginning the estate planning process.

The answer depends on your assets, family circumstances, and goals. While a Last Will and Testament can direct how your property is distributed after death, a properly funded Revocable Living Trust can offer additional benefits, including avoiding probate, managing assets during incapacity, and protecting inheritances for your loved ones.

👉 LEARN MORE HERE

PRIVATE INFORMATION GUIDE:

PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL ORGANIZER

This holiday season, give your family more than memories—give them peace of mind.

Our easy-to-use, attorney-crafted organizer keeps your most important information in one place, ready when it’s needed.

👉 ORDER HERE

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING

Q: Can a child with disabilities have a Trump Account without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits?

A: Yes, but families need to understand an important age-related rule and a special planning opportunity that could help preserve eligibility for government benefits.

👉 LEARN MORE HERE

ELDER LAW

Q: Can I leave an inheritance to my spouse without causing them to lose ALTCS benefits?

A: Yes. A properly drafted Medicaid Spousal Planning Trust established through your Will may allow you to provide an inheritance for your spouse without causing the trust principal to count toward ALTCS resource limits.

A RECENT CHANGE IN ALTCS POLICY ALLOWS THE USE OF MEDICAID SPOUSAL TRUSTS IN ARIZONA AGAIN.

👉 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

NEW Arizona ALTCS Transfer Penalties in 2026–2027: Updated Private Pay Rates and How Medicaid Gift Penalties Are Calculated

How much money can you give away before applying for Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) benefits? The answer may surprise you. Giving money or transferring property to family members can trigger an ALTCS transfer penalty, potentially delaying Medicaid coverage for nursing home care, assisted living, or other long-term care services.

Effective October 1, 2026, Arizona has increased the Private Pay Rates used to calculate ALTCS transfer penalties. Understanding these new rates, Arizona’s five-year look-back rule, and how transfer penalties are calculated can help families avoid costly mistakes.

👉 GET THE NEW NUMBERS HERE

ELDER LAW

PLANNED SENIOR MOMENTS - SCOTTSDALE

Imagine if you could have advice from 18 experts in the senior industry to get tips and resources on how to age in place, stay healthy and independent, and navigate the health care system better.

"Planned Senior Moments - Scottsdale".

👉 GRAB YOUR E-COPY HERE

✅Buy the e-book

✅ Read

✅ Leave a Review

✅ Share with a friend

Be sure to check out Ms. Bivens' chapter on how an elder law attorney can help.

AI & THE LAW

Q: Is Your Conversation With ChatGPT Protected by Attorney-Client Privilege? What Arizona Clients Need to Know

A: While these tools can provide useful general information, there is an important legal risk many people do not realize: Your conversations with AI are generally not protected by attorney-client privilege.

👉 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

SPECIAL EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

🌟 CONGRATULATIONS 🌟

Our attorneys Stephanie A. Bivens and Megan E. Selvey have once again been selected as Southwest Super Lawyers 2026 in Estate Planning and Elder Law.

Only the Top 5% of all attorneys are awarded Southwest Super Lawyers. Attorneys are selected based upon 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.

✨Did you know our firm has ranked #1 in Estate/Trust Law and in the Top 5 for Elder Law by Ranking Arizona for the last 6 years in a row?✨

Ranking Arizona is Arizona's largest public opinion poll that asks the question, who would you like to do business with?

WANT A SPEAKER FOR YOUR GROUP?

Our attorneys love to provide educational presentations for organizations serving families, seniors or individuals with special needs, such as non-profits, caregiver support groups, assisted living communities, homeowner and retiree associations, and large employer groups.

REQUEST AN ATTORNEY SPEAKER

LEARN MORE...

CHECK OUT OUR

FREE E-LIBRARY

Attorney crafted to provide you with tools and resources to help guide you and your family. Arizona specific.

Topics include Estate Planning, After Death Checklists, FAQs on ALTCS, Special Needs Trusts and much more!!

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FREE E-LIBRARY

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🌟 **Why Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel?** 🌟

Planning for the future can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you're navigating estate planning, caring for an aging loved one, or ensuring a bright future for someone with special needs, @bivenslaw is here to guide you every step of the way.

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Bivens & Associates, PLLC | 480-922-1010 | bivenslaw.com