It is not uncommon for adult children to recognize that an elderly parent is a hazard to him or herself. Mom may wander without realizing it, or Dad may regularly forget to turn the stove off. If you fear for your aging parent’s safety while he or she is home alone,...
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Pittsburgh Elder Law Blog
What Wills are valid in Pennsylvania?
Creating a will in Pennsylvania: Understanding the requirements In Pennsylvania, not all wills are considered valid. To ensure that your wishes are carried out after you're gone, it's essential to understand the state's specific requirements for creating a valid will....
What if you never create a will?
Getting into the estate planning process in Pittsburgh can be downright intimidating for some people. One reason is the concern that your decisions could upset some of those set to benefit from your estate. Because of this, some put off doing their estate planning....
What are some mistakes executors make?
As an executor of a decedent’s estate, you have professional duties under the law that you must uphold to avoid legal issues. Forbes explains that many people do not understand the duties of an executor, which can lead to mistakes. You have personal liability for the...
Living will vs medical power of attorney: What’s the difference?
The estate planning lexicon is full of document names that often cause confusion, especially when the documents do the same or similar things. Case in point: living will and medical power of attorney. While many people use these terms synonymously, FindLaw explains...
Will my spouse be protected if I must apply for Medicaid?
In 2018, the national daily average for a shared room in a long-term care facility was $245 or $7,441 per month, while a private room could cost you $275 a day or $8,365 a month. A report by SeniorLiving.org reported that the average cost of a semi-private room in...
Insight from a young married couple on estate planning
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage! But what comes after that? For Christin and Philip, it was drawing up a will, power of attorney, and medical power of attorney. As graduates from Michigan State University College of Law,...
What are the duties of a guardian?
Being appointed by the court as guardian for an incapacitated person is a significant responsibility. It requires you to perform certain duties in the best interests of your ward. However, the specific duties can vary. According to the First Judicial District of...
How can the choice of a power of attorney contribute to or prevent elder abuse?
When choosing an agent to serve pursuant to a Financial Power of Attorney, it is important to choose someone you trust - someone that would handle your financial matters competently and appropriately. Unfortunately, sometimes a family may discover that an elderly...
Relocation and your estate plan
When it comes to estate planning, there are a lot of different factors that require careful consideration, from decisions involving beneficiaries to giving someone authority over an estate plan. However, some people face an especially difficult time as a result of...

