Remote Online Notarization of Estate Plans in Pennsylvania 2020
Pennsylvania has temporarily authorized notary publics to notarize documents using a state-approved audio-visual connection, rather than in person. Pennsylvania Act 15 of 2020, signed into law April 20, 2020, authorized this change and became effective on that date....
Taxes After Death
What tax returns need to be filed after someone dies? In Pennsylvania, here are the main tax returns to consider: Personal Income Tax (1040) By April 15 of the year after death, file the deceased’s final income tax return (Form 1040). If the deceased was married, it...
The #1 Problem in Powers of Attorney
In the many powers of attorney I see in my line of work, one problem recurs over and over again. And it’s costing families tens of thousands, and even hundreds of thousands, of dollars in asset protection. The number one problem is inadequate gifting provisions. If...
5 Useful Features for an Asset Protection Trust
When designing a trust to protect assets against nursing home spend-down, lawsuits, scam artists, undue influence from family or acquaintances, or other hazards, we use certain features over and over again. These features make the trust more user-friendly, allowing...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.