Trusts
Why an irrevocable trust can be superior to gifting
Wise use of an irrevocable trust can be a powerful way to protect assets as one gets older. One use is to avoid the need to spend down assets in order to qualify for certain benefits, such as veterans benefits and Medicaid. But why use a trust? Why not just give the...
Can you undo an irrevocable trust?
“Irrevocable.” That word concerns many people, despite the effectiveness of irrevocable trusts in protecting assets and avoiding probate. It’s true that, in general, an irrevocable trust cannot be entirely undone by the person who created it (called the...Who should you name as your trustee?
Trusts are increasingly common – even in middle class estate planning – for their effectiveness in avoiding probate, protecting assets, helping minor children, and serving the disabled. If you’re not the trustee of your own trust, who should you name? Even if...
Time limits for contesting a will or revocable trust
When someone calls my office wanting to contest a will or revocable trust, one of the first questions is whether we still have time to contest it. No use going through all the details of possible forgery or undue influence if we’re two years past the time limit....Caregiver secretly becoming spouse & then inheriting — what can you do?
When children are already grieving the death of a parent, what a nightmare to learn that a caregiver has secretly become the parent’s spouse and stands to inherit a large portion of the estate. A recent Wall Street Journal article explored this problem. As the...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.
