Can Your Bank Refuse Your Power of Attorney?
If you find it more difficult in recent years to have your Power of Attorney recognized by banks and financial institutions than previously, it might help to know some of the history behind both changes in the law and in attitude. Under Act 95, a Power of Attorney law passed in 2014, substantial changes were […]
Continue readingDeal Kindly With Unequal Inheritances
When a parent is inclined to leave a child out of her Will, it can lead to unintended consequences. Disinheriting one or more children is usually not recommended if for no other reason than continuing family discord after your death. However, relationships are complicated and, if your intent is serious, before taking that step there […]
Continue readingSafety Questions When Deciding To Stay At Home
When asking healthy adults whether they would rather stay at home or move to a nursing home, the answer is obvious. When residents of facilities are asked if they would like to come home, the answer is often the same. Studies demonstrate that most people would rather stay home and “age in place.” The exceptions […]
Continue readingCan Medicaid Take My Home?
Will Medicaid take my home if I need nursing home care? Well, I did deal with that a bit before but Medicaid does not take your home, certainly not during your lifetime and the nursing home does not take your home. But if you have a home that is sitting empty and you have bills […]
Continue readingHow To Remain In Control When You Appoint a Power of Attorney
I am convinced that one reason clients can hesitate when deciding whether to appoint an agent under Power of Attorney is the fear of losing control. That fear can be aggravated on realizing that most Powers of Attorney today take effect after signing both by the person giving the power and the one receiving it. […]
Continue readingPaying for Nursing Home Care
Is it too late to do anything if my loved one is already in a nursing home? That is a common misconception. It is not too late to engage in planning if your spouse is in the nursing home. And it was a recent case in Pennsylvania that is what’s called the Third Circuit Court […]
Continue readingChance to Make a Difference Comes to West Chester
There are few times in life when we get the chance to make a difference that will continue on into the indefinite future. Even fewer opportunities present themselves when average people can do it. Eradicating a disease from the face of the earth entirely would be one of these chances. It was done with smallpox. […]
Continue readingMedicaid Qualifications for Nursing Home Care
My spouse is in a nursing home and I need help paying for care. What will I have to live on if my spouse gets Medicaid? That’s one of the most common questions that we’re asked and especially I would say why I’ve so concerned that if their husband goes into a nursing home and […]
Continue readingCalculating Wealth For Retirement
The October, 2019 AARP Bulletin posted on its cover a somewhat controversial statement “Everything You Think About Saving for Retirement May Be Wrong” and follows it up with “Find Out Why On Page 8.” The article itself raises some interesting points and, as with most summaries, there are “Rules” with which I agree and others […]
Continue readingDoes It Make Financial Sense To Marry a Second Time
Recognizing that average life expectancy has increased over time, the possibility that you might be considering marriage more than once in a lifetime also becomes more of a reality. Many older clients faced with choices regarding late blooming relationships whether from death or divorce are confronted with a decision, should they remarry or should they […]
Continue readingIt Is Medicare Open Enrollment Time Again – 2020 Version
You know it is Fall when you find Pumpkin Spice dog food and Pumpkin Spice Cheerios in the supermarket and then when you return home you open your mail to a new batch of solicitations for Medicare Advantage insurance plans. Yes, it is Medicare Open Enrollment time again and again it is time to review […]
Continue readingMediation’s Role In Elder Law Issues
When adult children disagree on the best course of action regarding ailing parents, disputes dating back to childhood can resurface. Different family members can assume different roles and misunderstandings can develop. Sometimes one adult child becomes the caretaker and believes the others will never understand how difficult caretaking can be. Others who might live at […]
Continue readingUS and Canada Rotary Districts Plan For the Future
Last week I took some days from the office to travel to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada for a purpose very dear to my heart. Anyone who knows me well knows I have a close involvement with Rotary. This year I had the privilege of being inducted as the president of our own Greater West Chester […]
Continue readingWhat To Consider When You Gift
In later years if you feel you are comfortably situated you might take a look at gifting either as a way of moving assets out of your estate or to pass some of your wealth on to your children before you die. Charitable gifting during lifetime can also be a satisfying way to benefit organizations […]
Continue readingRetirement and Widowhood
A recent article from a Forbes online source raised the issue of retirement and widowhood. (William Baldwin, “Retirement and Widowhood“) While we frequently plan for our estates considering what we leave to our spouses and children it is probably a fact that we rarely consider the long life ahead for many spouses as widows or […]
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