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Call Us At
(724) 841-1393
Home
About Us
Careers
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Elder Law Crisis Planning
Business Succession Planning
Probate
Special Needs Planning
Trusts
Areas Served
Cranberry Township
New Castle
Pittsburgh
Workshops
Workshops
Resources
Articles
Client Education
Downloadable Guides
Testimonials
Videos
Contact Us
Great Families
Make Great Plans
Articles
How Do You Want to be Remembered?
beneficiary designations
Estate Planning
financial legacy
legacy
Wills
Most of us go through life, shaping our own story. We have different experiences and chapters in life. If we...
Read More
The Broken Healthcare System
acute care
asset protection
covid-19
going broke
healthcare
healthcare workers
Long Term Care
Long term care expenses
Medicaid
medicare
Nursing Home
staffing shortage
trusts
The Plight of Nursing Homes A few weeks ago an article about a financial crisis in the Nursing home Industry...
Read More
Don’t Let Medicaid Steal Your Independence
Elder Law
independence
Medicaid
Medicaid elibility
medicaid rules
nursing homes
Effective Estate Planning requires education and contemplation and expert implementation by skilled attorneys. Most of our clients come to use...
Read More
What You Need To Know About Estate Administration
assets
Beneficiary
beneficiary designation
courts
creditors
Death of Loved One
debts
distribution of assets
Estate Administration
estate attorney
Executor
fiduciary
Inheritance
inheritance tax
Trustee
trusts
Will
One of the practice areas of Sechler Law Firm is Estate Administration. Amy Rees is the law firm’s managing attorney,...
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Wills or Trusts? Which do you need?
Long term care expenses
Probate
protect assets
trusts
Wills
A common question Estate Planning clients ask is ‘Do I need a Will or a Trust?’ Wills and Trusts are...
Read More
Should you Avoid Probate?
avoid probate
beneficiary designation
Wills
A question often asked by Estate Planning clients is whether they should avoid probate. Probate is the process of administering...
Read More
Memorial Day and the Old .45
alzheimer's disease
let us remember
Long Term Care
memorial day
Nursing Home
sechler law firm
war veterans
While Memorial Day is a great opportunity to get together for family fun, the true meaning of Memorial Day is...
Read More
Can I lose my house to the Nursing...
asset protection
Certified Elder Law Attorney
cranberry township attorney
Elder Law
estate recovery program
Medicaid elibility
medicaid rules
Nursing Home
sechler law firm
trusts
The nursing home often gets blamed when people lose assets due to long term care expenses. It is unfortunate that...
Read More
What is Medicaid Spend Down?
Certified Elder Law Attorney
cranberry township attorney
Elder Law
Long Term Care
medicaid eligibility
nursing homes
sechler law firm
Medicaid spend down is the process by which a nursing home client is forced to spend down their assets, until...
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Revocable Trust or Irrevocable Trust?
avoid probate
cranberry township attorney
Estate Plan
Irrevocable Living Trust
Revocable Living Trust
sechler law firm
sechler law firm office in cranberry
trusts
Wills
workshops
Many people think trusts are only for rich people, but that is certainly not the case. A trust is a...
Read More
The Three Things Everyone Wants
asset protection
cranberry township attorney
Estate Plan
goal setting
Long term care expenses
sechler law firm
If you’ve been reading my articles, you know that estate planning can be complicated. The documents we use are lengthy. ...
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Secure Act Regulations and the Impact on Middle-Class...
Baby boomer
Federal Estate Tax
Inheritance
IRA
IRS
Long term care expenses
nursing homes
Stretch IRA
tax
tax deferred growth
The Secure Act
There are many things that you're probably not aware of, which you probably should be aware of. There are families...
Read More
Progress Comes From Planning
adjusting to change
covid-19
Estate Planning
estate planning workshop
growing our team
in-person workshops
masks
moved office
pandemic
planning
prerecorded videos
setting goals
Like many businesses, the Sechler Law Firm was blindsided by the pandemic and shutdowns over the past 2 years. For...
Read More
Dispelling Elder Law Myths
Certified Elder Law Attorney
crisis planning
Dementia
Elder Law
elder law myths
Medicaid elibility
medicare
Nursing home cost
nursing homes
preplanning
I am aware of a few common misconceptions or myths that people have regarding elder law. I can hopefully clarify...
Read More
Why Didn’t the Nursing Home Tell Us?
Certified Elder Law Attorney
Elder Law
Legal problem
Medicaid
Medicaid Qualified Annuity
nursing homes
save money
Whether you are a senior or the adult children of a senior family member, this article is for you. A...
Read More
What are Asset Protection Trusts?
asset protection
asset protection trust
capital gains tax
Estate Planning
free consultation
in-person workshops
maintain control
trusts
A Simple Will is not Enough My law firm meets dozens of families every month, and after 10 years of...
Read More
What the heck is a NFT? How to...
bitcoin
coronavirus
covid-19
cryptocurrency
digital assets
lockdown
new year's resolution
nft
sechler law firm
time capsule
In Richmond, Virginia recently, a statue of Robert E Lee, was removed. In the base of the statue, two time...
Read More
Where Are You Going To Live & How...
Certified Elder Law Attorney
Elder Law
LIFE program
living independently for the elderly
Long Term Care
Medicaid elibility
podcast
skilled nursing home
Here we are, a few days before Christmas - a season of festivities and family get-togethers, with family traveling to...
Read More
Your New Year’s Resolution
Estate Planning
Financial Security
legal solutions
new year's resolution
plan ahead
update your will
Still looking for a New Year’s Resolution? Want one that is extremely beneficial and easy to attain? Why not make...
Read More
Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
lawyer
Long Term Care
Medicaid
medical bills
Nursing Home
retirement home
Recently, a lady came to our office to discuss her family’s situation. Her husband, a dementia patient, had been in...
Read More
Will Lawyers: Everything You Need to Know About...
Estate Planning
last will
legal jargon
legal terms
legal wills
living will
poa
Will
Wills
A serious health diagnosis can force some tasks – especially ones you’ve been putting off – to move to the...
Read More
Estate Lawyer: What Happens to Your Assets if...
Long Term Care
Medicaid
medicaid rules
medical costs
spouse
Do you know what could happen to your assets if your spouse needs long-term care? There are a lot of...
Read More
Elder Lawyers: What Assets Can Medicaid Collect After...
asset protection
assets
Medicaid
post-death
protect assets
protect house
Medicaid is one of the best programs provided by the government for senior citizens, who need help paying for long-term...
Read More
Estate Planning Lawyers: “Don’t forget about the SECURE...
401K
Estate Planning
IRA
Secure Act
secure law
As we near the end of 2020, with hopes of a better 2021, estate planning lawyers are encouraging their clients...
Read More
Can I Get Tax Deductions from Assisted Living...
assisted living
assisted living cost
tax
tax deduction
Taxes
Seniors and their families are left at a disadvantage as the costs of assisted living facilities continue to rise. While...
Read More
Protect Your Savings After Nursing Home Admission
Nursing Home
Nursing home cost
protect assets
protect house
There’s a common misconception that once you enter a nursing home you have to lose your home and savings. People...
Read More
Estate Planning Lawyers: Everything You Need to Know...
cost of estate plan
Estate Planning
estate planning costs
research
Let’s be honest: a major obstacle to proper estate planning for many people is the cost. Sometimes it’s hard to...
Read More
How Important is “Financial Security” When Choosing a...
choosing a guardian
Guardian
Guardianship
legal guardian
One of the most difficult decisions that parents of minor children have to make when creating their estate plans is...
Read More
Elder Law Attorneys: How to Avoid a 50%...
tax
tax law
tax penalty
The end of the year is approaching, which means many seniors are considering how their holidays are going to look...
Read More
What to Know When Revoking a Will That...
revoking a will
Will
There are many reasons why clients may choose to revoke a will. Things change; you may experience a change in...
Read More
Important Strategies for Dementia Patients
Dementia
Elder Law
elder lawyer
Our elder lawyers are here to help you through any number of difficult situations that may arise when caring for...
Read More
What Does an Executor Do?
Executor
Probate
probate attorney
An Executor of an estate is simply the person who is designated to carry out the wishes set forth in...
Read More
Estate Planning Lawyer: Tips When Choosing a Guardian...
children
Family
Guardian
Guardianship
Helping parents to choose a guardian who can raise their children in the event of an untimely death is one...
Read More
Elder Lawyer: How to Spot the Early Signs...
covid-19
Dementia
seniors
We’re all facing new challenges in lockdown, and one of them is how to help our senior loved ones. We...
Read More
“What’s the worst that can happen?” | Will...
Guardian
Guardianship
“What’s the worst thing that can happen if I get sick or pass away without an estate plan in place?” ...
Read More
Estate Planning Tips for Single Parents | Will...
Advanced Directive
Beneficiary
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
single parent
As a single parent, it is critically important to have a comprehensive estate plan that protects your child(ren). Obviously, being...
Read More
Estate Planning During a Crisis
coronavirus
covid-19
covid19
crisis
Estate Planning
pandemic
If you're worried about the possibility that you or a loved one could become ill or worse due to the...
Read More
Probate Attorneys: How to Claim Death Benefits After...
Dealing with outstanding financial affairs after the loss of a loved one can be extremely difficult. Our probate attorneys often...
Read More
What You Need to Know About Mental Health...
A comprehensive healthcare directive, which is an essential part of your estate plan, includes: A Living Will; Healthcare Agent Designation;...
Read More
Three Options for When You Inherit Your Parent’s...
Typically, adult children have three options when they inherit a house from their parents: they can move in, sell, or...
Read More
Millennials: Don’t Overlook the Need for Early Estate...
Are you in your twenties or thirties? You’ve probably heard about the importance of Wills and Trusts by now, but...
Read More
Safe Places to Store Your Original Estate Planning...
Have you recently completed your estate plan with a local will and trust lawyer? Congratulations! The hardest part is done....
Read More
Considerations When Choosing a Legal Guardian Who Could...
Guardian
Guardianship
kids
legal guardian
Do you have minor children? If so, have you considered choosing a legal guardian who you would want to raise...
Read More
Estate Planning and COVID-19: Planning Ahead for a...
advance directive
covid-19
healthcare directive
Power of Attorney
If you're concerned that you or a loved one could become seriously ill or even worse due to the novel...
Read More
Enforcing Social Distancing for Elderly Relatives
covid-19
senior citizens
seniors
social distance
social distancing
With nearly every region in the country living under some type of "stay at home" or "shelter in place" order...
Read More
Estate Attorney: When Should I Sign a Do...
Advanced Directive
DNR
Elder Law
health care
healthcare directive
As an estate attorney, I am often asked, “When should I sign my Do Not Resuscitate order?”. This is just...
Read More
Using Mediation to Resolve Caregiver Conflicts
conflict
litigation
mediation
There sometimes comes a point when your elderly loved one needs assistance with day to day living. These caregiving duties...
Read More
Passing On Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyrights and Beyond
copyright
intellectual property
patents
Will
Did you know you could leave ideas to your chosen heirs? Intellectual property, that is not of material reality yet...
Read More
How to Get Started with Special Needs Planning
ABLE
Special Needs
special needs attorney
Special needs trust
Being a good parent can feel overwhelming, especially if one of your children has special needs that require help with...
Read More
Five Estate Planning Essentials to Consider During the...
covid-19
Estate Plan
healthcare directive
pandemic
Power of Attorney
The cases of COVID-19 in America keep growing exponentially, and it has many of us panicked and even planning for...
Read More
If Not Now, When?
Over the last two months, many of us have gone through different levels of fear, anxiety and frustration. We’ve have...
Read More
Probate Lawyer: Tips for Talking to Loved Ones...
Estate Planning
Probate
sensitive topic
talking to loved ones
Two of the most uncomfortable topics for almost any family to discuss are money and death. As a result, conversations...
Read More
Trust Attorneys Answer: “Should You Leave a Life...
annuities
Beneficiary
legal beneficiary
Life Insurance
Trust Attorney
Naming a legal beneficiary is necessary for life insurance, annuities, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and some bank accounts....
Read More
Will and Trust Lawyer: 5 Essentials of Estate...
Estate Plan
Estate Planning
Trust
Trust Lawyer
Will
Estate planning isn't just for older people, couples with children, or individuals with a lot of financial wealth. Single people,...
Read More
Will Lawyer: How a Pour-Over Will Works with...
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Living Trust
pour-over will
Trust
Will
While most people have heard of a basic Last Will and Testament, they may not know what a Pour-Over Will...
Read More
Elder Law Attorneys: What to Know Before Transferring...
giving home
home
Medicaid
Selling home
transferring home
Most older adults believe that it’s easier for everyone involved – loved ones, beneficiaries, and executors – if they transfer...
Read More
Probate Attorney Answers, “Are You Liable for Your...
debt
deceased
Probate
probate attorney
Surviving Spouse
As a rule of thumb, no one else is obligated to pay the debt of a person who has died....
Read More
Estate Attorney: What to Do When a Trustee...
remove trustee
Trust
trust protector
Trustee
trustworthy
A trustee is legally required to administer a trust solely in the interests of the beneficiaries. So, what can you...
Read More
Will Lawyer Answers, “What Happens If a Beneficiary...
Beneficiary
Death of Loved One
last will
no will
pennsylvania
Will
When creating an estate plan with the help of a will lawyer, you’ll be asked to choose the beneficiaries whom...
Read More
Probate Attorney: What to Know When Serving as...
Executor
last will
Probate
Will
Dealing with the loss of a spouse is one of the most difficult situations a person can face. The grief...
Read More
What the New SECURE Act Means for Your...
Estate Planning
IRA
Retirement
Secure Act
secure law
tax law
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement), which was included in a last-minute...
Read More
Elder Law Attorney on When to Consider Home...
Butler County
CELA
health care
home care
home health
home health care
If you're in a position where it's time to make some decisions about caring for an aging parent or...
Read More
Four Strategies for Avoiding Probate
assets
Butler County
Court
Probate
Trust
At some point in your life, you may have heard about someone's estate being tied up in probate. It may...
Read More
The First Steps Towards Enjoying Your Golden Years...
CELA
Elder Law
golden years
retire
retirment
When most of us think about retirement, we have visions of days spent relaxing, doing some traveling, getting around to...
Read More
Estate Planning Attorney Warns, “Beware of DIY and...
CELA
DIY estate plan
Estate Planning
online
online estate plan
With today's technology, access to information is literally in the palm of our hands. From your cell phone, you can...
Read More
Estate Planning Lawyer: What Happens If an Unmarried...
living will
unmarried
unmarried partner
Planning for the death of an unmarried partner is critical, but so is planning for the possibility that one partner...
Read More
Estate Attorney: Here’s What REALLY Happens If You...
Disability
estate attorney
Estate Plan
Estate Planning
What really happens if you don’t create a will, trust, or other estate planning documents and essentially keep your head in the...
Read More
Parents of Kids with Disabilities Discover the Importance...
Disability
Special Needs
Trust
Estate planning is incredibly important for all parents, as it allows them the opportunity to make very difficult choices. It...
Read More
Will and Trust Lawyer: Avoid These 3 Common...
Irrevocable Living Trust
Revocable Living Trust
Trust
trust mistake
If you’ve set up a Revocable Living Trust, congratulations! As a Certified Elder Law Attorney* will and trust lawyer, I...
Read More
Easy Estate Planning Strategies That Can Make Life...
Estate Plan
power or attorney
survivor
tragedy
The national news has been filled with tragedy lately, including acts of senseless violence committed against random strangers. Families and...
Read More
Estate Planning Lawyer: How to Leave Money or...
CELA
Certified Elder Law Attorney
Inheritance
Minor
Property
Estate planning for a married couple is often pretty straightforward: you leave all of your property and money to your...
Read More
DNA Tests, Ancestry Accounts, and Planning for Unexpected...
ancestry
estranged
family tree
relative
Will
Modern technology has put research tools once only available to professionals in the hands of everyday people. With nothing more...
Read More
Helping Seniors Use Rideshare Services When They Are...
elderly
Estate Planning
lyft
ride
rideshare
senior
uber
As seniors start experiencing the changes associated with aging, one of their most common fears is losing their independence. Pittsburgh...
Read More
Estate Administration Lawyer: Understanding the Basics of Probate
Butler County
Estate Administration
Estate Planning
Probate
Will
The thought of going through the probate process here in Butler County can strike fear in the hearts of most...
Read More
Wills and Estates Lawyer Discusses 3 Easy Ways...
children
emergency
Guardian
kids
social services
If something were to happen to you and your spouse, what would happen if the authorities or medical personnel did...
Read More
Trust Lawyer: How to Protect an Inheritance for...
Bipolar
Bipolar Disorder
Inheritance
Living Trust
Special Needs
Special needs trust
Trust
Our trust lawyers are often asked by parents if it is possible to protect an inheritance for an adult child...
Read More
Will and Trust Lawyer Offers Estate Planning Tips...
Blended Family
divorce
Estate Planning
Family
Marriage
Trust
Will
Modern American families come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations. This creates unique circumstances when creating wills and...
Read More
Before You Hire an Elder Law Attorney…Ask These...
Attorney
Elder Law
personalized
questions
Trust
You could never fit the dreams, goals, and desires of your family into a one-size-fits-all box. Nor can you fully...
Read More
Will and Trust Lawyer on How to “Marie...
assets
Estate Planning
finances
Kondo
Marie Kondo
Will
If you’re not familiar with Marie Kondo, take some time this week to watch one of her videos on YouTube...
Read More
How Long Does It Take to Settle an...
avoid probate
beneficiaries
estate
probate attorney
Will
One of the most common questions asked when it comes to settling an estate in Pittsburgh is, “How long is...
Read More
Estate Planning Attorney: How to Use a 529...
529
529Plan
education
estate plannng
investment
Taxes
If you’ve heard of a 529 Plan, you probably think of it as a means of education funding for your...
Read More
Probate Lawyer Answers,“I’ve Lost a Loved One ....
benefits
burial
deceased
funeral
Life Insurance
Will
Losing a loved one is emotionally wrenching. And, unfortunately, being responsible for managing your loved one’s estate and final affairs...
Read More
Will and Trust Attorney: How to Talk to...
children
Estate Planning
Family
Inheritance
As people get into their senior years, it is natural to start thinking about the end of life. Those...
Read More
Local Elder Law Attorney: Tips When Caring for...
Out of State
Parents
Power of Attorney
Will
One of the hardest things an adult child must handle is the responsibility of overseeing their elderly parent’s care. Elder...
Read More
Local Estate Planning Attorney: Can I Use a...
Estate Planning
Irrevocable Living Trust
protect assets
Revocable Living Trust
Trust
Trusts are excellent legal tools that can be used to accomplish most estate planning and asset protection planning goals....
Read More
How to Safely Leave an Inheritance to an...
drug use
Elder Law
Inheritance
substance abuse
Just about everyone knows or loves someone with a substance abuse problem. The detrimental effects impact many facets of American...
Read More
Local Will and Trust Attorney: How to Prepare...
Disability
living will
medical costs
Trust
As a will and trust attorney, I often see the results of what happens when someone does not plan...
Read More
Opportunity with IRA and Charitable Donations
donation
Elder Law
Estate Planning
IRA
nonprofit
tax law
The new tax laws, which were implemented last year, will change the way many Americans file their taxes. A tax...
Read More
Avoid This Social Security Mistake
Benefit
Estate Planning
Social Security
spousal benefit
Bob and Jane recently came to the office to do some estate planning. In reviewing their intake form, I noted...
Read More
Should I Put Beneficiaries On My Accounts?
bank
beneficiaries
Estate Planning
IRA
It is common practice at many banks and financial institutions to advise account holders to name beneficiaries on their accounts....
Read More
Another Celebrity Passes Away Without a Will
Aretha Franklin
celebrity
Estate Planning
Inheritance
last will
Will
Recently, fans of Aretha Franklin had to cope with the news of her pending and eventual death. The loss of...
Read More
Nursing Home Costs Increase Again, and Again, and...
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Long Term Care
Nursing Home
skilled nursing
Each January, Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services updates several financial figures regarding long-term care costs. One of these figures is...
Read More
If You Get Sick, Your Last Will May...
assets
Elder Law
Estate Planning
illness
Will
The Last Will and Testament is an important document that should be included in every estate plan. However, it has...
Read More
Nursing Home Costs Increase Again, and Again, and...
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Nursing Home
Nursing home cost
Each January, Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services updates several financial figures regarding long-term care costs. One of these figures is...
Read More
Not So Sure About Your Son-In-Law?
children
divorce
Estate Planning
in-laws
Inheritance
If that headline resonates with you, you’re probably not the only one. I find that many of my clients have...
Read More
Actions Speak Louder than Words: When Will Oral...
Contracts
Estate Planning
Inheritance
Oral Agreement
Will
As a Certified Elder Law Attorney, I advise that it’s always best for a person to write down one’s intentions...
Read More
Probate Lawyer: How to Remove an Executor from...
Estate Planning
Executor
Probate
remove executor
An executor is chosen by a testator to carry out the intentions of the will after the testator has died. It’s...
Read More
Living Will Attorney Helps Clients Plan for an...
Disability
disabled
illness
injury
living will
Will
Living will attorneys know full well the ramifications of not planning ahead for an unexpected disability. Even those clients who understand...
Read More
Reasons to Consider a Professional Administrator for Your...
administrator
Estate Planning
Special Needs
Special needs trust
Trust
Trustee
I’ve written many times about the importance of selecting the right person to serve as trustee for a Special Needs Trust....
Read More
Four Legal Documents That Will Allow You to...
When I work with retirees or clients who will retire soon, I like to ask them what they think could...
Read More
When a Mom Needs Care
Estate Law
Estate Planning
Medicaid
Nursing Home
“I didn’t know how stressful this would be.” This is a comment from a client of my firm who recently...
Read More
Understanding The Process to Obtain an Adult Guardianship
Court
Estate Plan
Family
Guardianship
Judge
Even with the best intentions, most senior citizens don’t plan for a future in which they may be incapacitated. Perhaps...
Read More
Guardianship Lawyer: Pros and Cons of Guardianships for...
children
Guardian
Guardianship
kids
Special Needs
step-children
Trust
When a child with special needs turns 18, parents must begin to think about sensitive issues such as long-term care...
Read More
Your Estate Plan May Need to Change If...
Estate Planning
Out of State
Powers of Attorney
Trust Attorney
Wills
Attorneys have the important job of helping their clients create a legacy that is compliant with a number of different...
Read More
Will and Trust Lawyer: Sell the House, or...
Estate Planning
Federal Estate Tax
House
Inheritance
Taxes
Like many Americans, your home is probably your largest asset. However, if you have children who have grown and moved...
Read More
Learn Why the New Federal Estate Tax Exemption...
Estate Planning
Federal Estate Tax
Heirs
Tax Exemption
Taxes
Trust
Will
Unless you were living under a rock, you most likely heard about the tax reform bill that was passed by...
Read More
Probate Attorney Reveals 8 Important Steps to Take...
Death of Loved One
Estate Planning
finances
Probate
Surviving Spouse
Will
As an Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney, I’m commonly asked, “What are the most important steps I need to...
Read More
Can Someone with Signs of Dementia Sign Legal...
Dementia
Estate Planning
Legal Documents
Power of Attorney
Millions of individuals are affected by dementia in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it is usually after a medical crisis like dementia...
Read More
How to Ensure Your Estate Plan Doesn’t Spark...
Dependent
Executor
Family Feud
Legal Documents
Legal Issues
Trustee
Unfortunately, family feuds that center around someone’s will or trust are a tale as old as time. Even if this...
Read More
Keep Your Promises
Estate Planning
Financial Security
Nursing Home
Plan
promises
We all make promises. Some are small--“I’ll be home for dinner”; some are bigger-- “Till death do us part.” Some...
Read More
How to Leave Assets to Your Step-Children
assets
Disability
Estate Planning
step-children
Blended families are becoming more and more common in modern society, yet, estate laws remain largely unchanged and still geared...
Read More
The Dangers of Denial – Why You Need...
Estate Planning
Long Term Care
Medicaid
Nursing Home
Parents
VA Benefits
Longer lives are among the greatest achievements of our modern era. Advances in healthcare and other progress related to human...
Read More
Will Nursing Home Medicaid Take My Husband’s Income?
House
Income
Medicaid
Nursing Home
When a family has one spouse in the nursing home, the healthy spouse almost always asks, “Are they going to...
Read More
Your New Year’s Resolution: Financial Confidence
Estate Planning
finances
Security
You’ve worked hard. You’ve saved when others spent and have accumulated some financial assets. You feel relatively secure that a...
Read More
The Questions All Families Must Answer
Elder Law
Legal Issues
Power of Attorney
Trust
When families first consider doing an estate plan, they think primarily about the need for a Last Will and Testament...
Read More
I Saw This Mistake Three Times In One...
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Frequently in my Elder Law practice, an adult child of an ill parent will approach me for help. It is...
Read More
The Medicaid 5-Year Look Back Period Explained
Elder Law
Gifting
Long Term Care
Nursing Home
There is nothing in Medicaid Law that causes more confusion than the 5-Year Look Back Period. Many people mistakenly believe...
Read More
5 Reasons Why Simple Will Plans are Insufficient
Beneficiary
Estate Planning
Wills
It’s Not Only About The Money. The problem with simple wills is that they generally deal with who gets...
Read More
5 Reasons Young Parents Need An Estate Plan
Disability
Estate Planning
Guardian
Wills
It Just Might Happen To You Most young parents assume they are going to live a long time. Unfortunately, sometimes...
Read More
You Can Be Sued For Your Parents’ Nursing...
Attorney
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Medicaid
Nursing Home
Yes, you read that correctly. In Pennsylvania, a nursing home can sue the adult children for any unpaid nursing home...
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Baby Boomers: 5 Tips For A Great Estate...
Estate Planning
Gifting
IRA Planning
Nursing Home
Life is more complicated than it used to be. You don’t live the same way your grandparents lived. A few...
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I Wish I Could Have a Do-Over
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
A few weeks ago, I had a meeting with a new client, whom I’ll call Judy (not her real name)....
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Bags of Paper | Organizing Your Assets
Elder Law
Long Term Care
Organization
Probate
It is very common in my practice to see new clients walk through the door with grocery bags stuffed with...
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My Wife’s Future Husband | Divorce and Estate...
Estate Planning
Life Insurance
Remarriage
Wills
When I am working with young families, my favorite question to ask the husband is “What is your favorite thing...
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Legal Planning for College Students
College Student
Legal Issues
Power of Attorney
Recently, there have been a number of high profile cases in the news about young adults being injured or killed...
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Should I Gift My House to My Kids?
This is a very common question from my Baby Boomer and Senior clients. When I ask them why they would...
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IRA Trusts Can Help Your Kids
Baby boomers and seniors tend to have a large concentration of their wealth in tax-qualified accounts like IRA, 401k, and...
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Don’t Trust Your Son-In-Law?
Most parents don’t openly express that they aren’t thrilled about their adult children’s marital decisions. That said, with divorce rates...
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Too Late To Plan?
Many families think that once a relative is in the nursing home, it is too late to plan to preserve...
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Trustees For Kids
Last year, my wife and I welcomed our third child into our home. She is our first daughter, and I...
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