Affordable Care Act Is On the Line – Again
Now that the presidential Election Day is past and President Elect Biden is preparing for the future, including especially efforts to deal with the national resurgence for an exhausted country of COVID-19, Obamacare, otherwise know as the Affordable Care Act is back for consideration before the U.S. Supreme Court. Arguments in the case brought by […]
Continue readingElection Day Arrives – Its Meaning
Election Day has finally arrived not just for the presidential election but U.S. Senate and a multitude of offices at the federal, state and local levels. For the newer COVID-19 era voter, Election Day has come to look more like Election week or Election month or whatever time period marked the beginning of early and/or […]
Continue readingWhat Is Herd Immunity?
The expression “herd immunity” has received a great deal of attention lately since it was mentioned by President Trump in answer to some questions on Covid-19. The idea supposedly is that prior to approval of a vaccine for the virus, herd immunity could be considered as an alternative to handle the crisis. Herd immunity is […]
Continue readingOptions To Consider When Inheriting A House
Sometimes parents want to benefit one of their children by leaving the house to him/her. This can be what sometimes has been referred to as a “mixed blessing.” For one thing the conditions that were in effect at the time of drafting the Will might no longer be applicable. The child might not want the […]
Continue readingVoting By Mail – A Postscript
Last week, recognizing the importance of voting in this election for seniors and, in fact, for voters of every age, I drafted my column with step by step instructions for mail in balloting. It must have hit a nerve since I received responses and this seemed like a good time to address some of them […]
Continue readingVoting By Mail – Step by Step Instructions
At this point Chester County and many other counties throughout Pennsylvania have already mailed their mail-in ballots for those voters who have requested them. You might have requested a mail-in ballot through the internet or maybe during the last voting cycle in the Pennsylvania Primary Election when you checked off the box stating you wanted […]
Continue readingMedicare Open Enrollment Is Coming Soon
It is that time again – the time to remind anyone who wants to review or change their Medicare coverage that Medicare Open Enrollment is almost here. If you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan or if you are on a Medicare Supplement but have prescription drug coverage under Medicare D, Medicare Open Enrollment is […]
Continue readingAn Anxiety Reliever For Estate Documents – You Can Change Your Mind
Some years ago I had a client who announced it is impossible to plan because “things keep changing.” Without missing a step I answered “because things keep changing we have to plan.” The answer was instinctual. That does not always mean everything has to be taken down on paper but many times it should be. […]
Continue readingA Critical Stake Seniors Might Have In The 2020 Elections
Coming close to election day some matters of serious concern escape attention. One of these is what effect the outcome of the elections will have on seniors who constitute a major voting block and, as frequently stated, seniors tend to vote. Remember that voting affects not only the Presidential election but also a multitude of […]
Continue readingIs Vote By Mail Safe?
With the upcoming Presidential and General Election, questions have been floated whether Vote By Mail which has been expanded recently in Pennsylvania, is safe. Readers will be glad to know this method is safe and reliable and might even be more safe than voting in person. More on this later. Vote By Mail has actually […]
Continue readingGifting Rules – Do I Owe Taxes If I Gift More Than $15,000
As we begin the last quarter of the year some taxpayers begin to question whether it would be smart to gift some of their estates to their children or others or to charities on the theory that it would leave less to be taxed on their death. They understand they have heard something about limiting […]
Continue readingAre Social Security and Medicare On The Chopping Block
Most of the time I try in columns to take what is referred to as a “balanced view” meaning there are reasonable arguments on both sides and the opposition needs to be considered. When it comes to Social Security and Medicare, however, two programs dear to my heart that I deal with every day as […]
Continue readingWhat Can You Do If A Trust No Longer Works?
Estate planning using Wills in Pennsylvania is relatively simple, all things considered, and is the most common framework for most families and individuals. However, sometimes those same individuals or families might feel a need for a trust. The idea’s origin could come from reading an article or attending a program on trusts or from […]
Continue readingWhat To Do With An Executive Order On Relief
Last week, when it appeared negotiations between Democrats and Republicans were breaking down, the President issued an Executive Order and three memoranda with supposed relief for beleaguered individuals and families in the middle of what is likely the most serious financial and health care crisis of our time. Several questions come to mind. Is the […]
Continue readingStrategies for Income Uncertainty During Covid-19
Financial planning during normal times can be difficult enough. In crisis and times of uncertainty such as those we are now experiencing, it can become even more challenging. This applies both to individuals and families who have resources to weather the storm and those who struggle with greater odds and in ways they never did […]
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