Marks Elder Law Blog
What are the primary advantages of trusts?
When you want to leave a legacy behind for your loved ones, you may choose to do so using any number of different methods. The manner in which you leave assets behind is going to impact everything from how fast your loved ones are able to access them to how much they...
I have a solid estate plan in place. Why revise it?
Most Pennsylvanians agree that an estate plan is important, but not everyone has one in place. If you are a part of the proactive group who got this off your to-do list from early on, you may wonder, what is the point of changing it now? The truth is that you may not...
When Do I Need a Lawyer After Someone Has Died?
After a loved one has passed away, certain steps have to be taken for which a lawyer’s help is ordinarily needed. There are other practical actions and decisions that family members can usually undertake without the help of an attorney. Which steps require an...
GUARDIANS, GUARDIANSHIP and POWERS OF ATTORNEY
People often ask me about becoming a Guardian for family member, and about Guardianship in comparison to Power of Attorney. Becoming a Guardian means being officially appointed by the court following proceedings before a Judge. In asking to be appointed as a Guardian,...
Don’t Give All Your Money To The Nursing Home!
People think that if you’re headed toward expensive long-term care such as in a nursing home or assisted living, that there's nothing you can do to protect yourself financially, and you're just going to lose everything you ever worked and saved for. That's absolutely...
Will My Estate Be Affected By the SECURE Act?
In May of 2019, The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. The bill will now go to the Senate where it will be further debated. If the bill does eventually become law, it would have...
WASHINGTON STATE ENACTS UNIVERSAL LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE
Our system of paying for long-term care services is badly broken. Medicare does not pay for long-term care in assisted living or in a nursing home, which many people don't realize till it’s too late. Private long-term care insurance is purchased by fewer than one in...
Congress is changing the rules for IRAs
In May, the House of Representatives approved the “Secure Act”, a bill intended to “reform” 401(k) and IRA rules. The Senate is now considering its version of these reforms. This legislation, if enacted into law, will change the way IRA and other retirement plan...
CASE STUDY: AN ELDER LAW / ASSET PROTECTION SUCCESS STORY
Jerry and Lisa needed help to deal with Jerry's advancing dementia and increasing cost of care. They were terrified they would lose everything. I was able to help them make sure that Jerry (and both of them) would get the care they needed and still save a ton of money...
ELDER LAW – ASSET PROTECTION CASE STUDY
Michael H. Marks is an elder law attorney practicing at Marks Elder Law with offices in Squirrel Hill and Monroeville. Send questions to [email protected] or visit www.marks-law.com. Jerry and Lisa needed help to deal with Jerry's advancing dementia and increasing...
