Elder Law – General
Take your IRA distributions from any account
If you own individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and you’re past the magic age of 70½, you may already be thinking about taking your required minimum distribution for 2017. Which account do you take it from, if you have more than one? By law, you can take your...
Simple trick to help shut-in parents
Mary, a widow, lives alone in the home she has owned for 52 years. She can cook, clean the house, and care for herself. But she no longer drives because of failing eyesight, and there are no stores within walking distance. Mary wants to stay in her home as long as...
Who should have power of attorney for you?
If you can’t manage your financial affairs, you will need someone to step in and manage them for you. Who should that be? One of the advantages of working with an experienced attorney when doing your estate planning is having the benefit of your attorney’s advice and...
Asset protection trust: when is the right time?
Readers of our blog know of the power of an asset protection trust in protecting the elderly’s assets from nursing home spend-down, scams, undue influence, creditors, and various other hazards people encounter in their senior years. This post addresses the question of...
You can challenge beneficiary designations, as in a will contest
If you were cheated out of your inheritance because your sister convinced Dad to change his will, leaving everything to her, you probably know you can contest Dad’s will after he dies. But what if your sister convinces Dad to change all the beneficiary designations on...About Andrew Sykes
The founder of Sykes Elder Law, Andrew Sykes is recognized as a leading elder law authority in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Sykes is the past chair of the Elder Law Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association.