Guns and Dementia: Dealing with a Loved One’s Firearms
When someone you love has dementia, life can be frightening. Add firearms into the mix, and things can become even scarier. Nearly half of all Americans over 65 either own a gun or live with someone who does. This can be troubling, as people with dementia are at an increased risk for suicide, and firearms […]
Managing Social Security Survivor’s Benefits
Social Security survivor’s benefits provide our significant others with financial safety after we are gone. But in order to realize the most from these benefits, survivors need to know the appropriate time to file a claim.
What is a Healthcare Proxy and Why Do I Need One?
It’s not a pleasant scenario, but still one worth thinking about: You become sick one day, so sick that you’re incapacitated, unable to speak for yourself. In that situation, who will make medical decisions on your behalf? That’s where a healthcare proxy comes in.
How to Fight a Nursing Home Discharge
As an experienced elder law practice in Bucks County PA we know and clients tell us all of the time that the process of getting admitted to a nursing home can be stressful. Now, imagine you or your loved one has been asked to leave. Nursing homes are required to adhere to certain discharge procedures […]
What Kind of Tools Does Social Security Have Online?
As America’s senior citizens become more tech savvy, the Social Security Administration has put more and more of its services online, whether that means applying for benefits or replacing your Social Security card.
What is Probate?
“Tied up in probate.” Even if you’ve never dealt with the court system, you’ve probably heard someone use that phrase, either in real life or in a movie or on TV. But what does that phrase mean? To answer that, let’s look at what probate itself is all about.
Don’t Make the Mistake of Not Signing up for Medicare Supplemental Coverage
You’ve just turned 65, but you feel 20 years younger. You’re at the age where people enroll in Medicare, but you’re also pretty healthy. Do you really need to sign up for Medicare’s supplemental coverage? You might not realize it, but not signing up can have a negative effect on your financial health regardless of […]
IRS Issues New Long-Term Care Deductibility Rules for 2019
The IRS has increased the amount of income taxpayers can deduct in 2019 if they’ve purchased long-term care insurance. “Qualified” long-term care insurance premiums are tax deducible as long as they – along with other unreimbursed medical costs – do not exceed a certain amount of your adjusted gross income. In the last two years, […]
Dealing with Sibling Disputes Over Powers of Attorney
When planning your estate, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is a power of attorney. Bucks County, PA residents can use these documents to appoint another person – referred to here as their “agent” to act on their behalf if they become disabled or incapacitated. Powers of attorney come in two varieties: […]
Looking for The Right Medigap Policy? You Need to Shop Around
It’s important to search for the right policy when you make a major purchase, whether you’re buying a new car, a new appliance…or a new Medigap policy.