When you want to create a secure legal arrangement for property during your lifetime or 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 arrange your assets now or leave them behind later...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
