Know When to Use or Not Use A Reverse Mortgage
As seniors and their families struggle to deal with the cost of long term care, reverse mortgages become a continuing topic. While seen by some as a convenient source of ready cash, this strategy can come with pitfalls that must be recognized in advance. One of the most consistent myths is that a reverse mortgage […]
Continue readingAdvice When It Comes Time To Transition the Family Business
Few decisions are as individual and personal for the owner of a family business than the decision to move on. Sometimes moving on simply means moving on to another business, hence the expression “serial entrepreneur.” Sometimes it means transitioning to a time when you can finally relax and do the many tasks, which might include […]
Continue readingExecutor – Can You Locate the Will?
In all the busy running around from day to day it is easy to lose track of important documents. It can also be helpful to know which ones are needed in original form and when a copy (or electronic version) will work as well. Here is some general information. Of all the documents that need […]
Continue readingProtecting Your House and Medicaid
While reading an article recently on asset protection for physicians I was struck by some of the same issues, but on a different level, for Medicaid and the Medicaid estate recovery program. In particular I noted concern regarding the house. Whether it is a $120,000 property or one substantially higher in value property owners are […]
Continue readingReporting Back From PAELA and the 2019 Elder Law Institute
Suppose you had the opportunity to sit around a huge table along with about 70 or 80 of the brightest people in your field and ask and answer questions regarding issues that have you all scratching your heads as to the best way to go. At the same conference you can also listen to people […]
Continue readingShould You Be A Trustee?
A recent article in Elder Law Answers, www.elderlawanswers.com, an online publication primarily for lawyers but also available to the public, discussed “A Brief Overview of a Trustee’s Duties.” It occurred to me then that most members of the public, while aware of the term “Trustee,” did not really know what a Trustee does. If asked […]
Continue readingSenior Issues – A View From the Past
Over the holiday weekend I had a chance to handle some cleanout at home, including the opportunity to review some past forgotten columns in the West Chester Daily Local News. With more than twenty years of columns under my belt, so to speak, there was some history built here. By the way, I did not […]
Continue readingHouse Bill Hints At Future of IRAs
Having listened to clients over the years express dismay regarding Required Minimum Distributions from retirement accounts, I recognize their concern. Generally speaking, the older the holder of an IRA or 401(k) becomes the more he or she needs to withdraw from the account on an annual basis and, therefore, the more taxes need to be […]
Continue readingCan I Gift More Than $15,000?
One of the questions I have frequently been asked as an elder law and estates attorney is “how much am I allowed to gift?” It is often phrased this way although sometimes the expression is “am I allowed to gift more than $15,000?” or for people who have not recently reviewed federal tax law “am […]
Continue readingThere Is a Priority of Debts When You Die
Over time I have become accustomed to first actions taken by Executors when a family member dies. Ironically, one of the first is often to pay off credit card debt. Nursing home expenses and even funeral bills might initially be ignored or delayed during a time when survivors are seriously concerned about final VISA or […]
Continue readingHow To Stay In Control When Appointing a Power of Attorney
Disability can strike suddenly and is one of the reasons appointing an agent on your behalf to act when you cannot is so important. One of the most common reasons seniors likely hesitate to sign a Power of Attorney appointing another person to act on their behalf is fear of loss of control and exploitation. […]
Continue readingLoan or Gift? Lending Advice For Parents And Grandparents
If you have saved over the years and even if you have only a few thousand in the bank above your living expenses, you might at some point be approached by an adult child or college aged grandchild for a loan or, what sometimes might be even more dangerous, cosigning on a loan or credit […]
Continue readingOn Vacation – Can You Take Medicare With You?
As seniors venture overseas whether for recreation or new living arrangements, a key question to ask is what benefits travel with them. While Social Security benefits follow Americans to other countries, basic Medicare likely will not and seniors may need to be prepared for alternate arrangements. First, while Medicare does cover residents of Puerto Rico, […]
Continue readingThe First Mistake In Estate Planning
After you have completed your Will, executed your Financial Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will, you might think you have done everything necessary to resolve your estate, both during your lifetime and after you pass. At this point, or maybe before, you need to take a crucial step, a […]
Continue readingSmall Things Can Be a Big Deal
When you live in a house that is over a hundred years old,you can begin to notice some small and some major defects over time. Frankly, this can happen with any property but older properties that have not experienced substantial renovations can really make it impossible to ignore. Add this to what it is like […]
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