Elder Law – General
7 Costliest Mistakes to Avoid When a Spouse Enters a Nursing Home
Federal law provides a number of protections for a Medicaid applicant’s spouse (also known as a “community spouse”). Problem is, too few people know of these protections and too many couples fail to take advantage of them. Result? A couple can lose tens of thousands,...
What is “undue influence” in a will contest?
A will can be contested on various grounds – forgery, fraud, or incapacity of the signer, for instance. The most common basis for a will contest, though, is known as “undue influence” – that is, an allegation that a “testator” (person who signed the will) of weakened...
ABLE Act accounts will help the disabled
Some disabled individuals may now obtain tax-advantaged accounts, similar to 529 college savings accounts, to pay for expenses related to disability. These accounts result from the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act passed by Congress in 2014. Allowable...
Marriage versus cohabitation for elderly couples
Clients who have found love in their senior years (after death of a loved one or divorce) often ask whether it is better to marry or simply live together (cohabitate). The question can raise complex issues in the answer will vary according to the couple’s individual...
Long term care insurance: What if you don’t qualify?
Long term care insurance can be a great planning tool to reduce the impact of care costs in your retirement years, and to receive care in your home rather than in a facility. But not everyone qualifies. Long term care insurance requires underwriting – a process by...About Andrew Sykes
The founder of Sykes Elder Law, Andrew Sykes is recognized as a leading elder law authority in Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney with over 20 years of experience helping clients with estate planning, estate administration, and Medicaid planning.