Keystone Blog
Multigenerational Households Part II
Last week’s column (https://keystoneelderlaw.com/multigenerational-living/) introduced background information about the history of multigenerational households in the U.S. and some of the situations which influence people to...
Multigenerational Living
Multigenerational living has been on the rise in the U.S. over the past few decades. These are households which contain two generations (parents and adult children), skipped generations (grandparents and grandchildren), or three or more generations....
A Threat to Independence
Earlier this month we celebrated our nation’s Independence Day. Personal independence allows us to proceed through our daily lives without hindrances. The potential of an altered level of independence is one reason people fear aging. All too frequently an event which...
Trusts: A Multi-Use Tool
When families and individuals come to me to set up an estate plan, determine how best to protect their assets, or figure out how to provide for a loved one whose circumstances are a bit challenging, a tool I sometimes recommend is a Trust. When I say that word,...
Challenges of Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples
The law for Estate Planning was largely designed with a traditional nuclear family in mind. As time goes by, we realize that there are many families who don’t fit neatly within that nuclear family bubble and who face unique challenges. Estate Planning has...
Estate Planning When You Are On Your Own
Typically, the people who think the most about estate planning are those who are in a fairly traditional family unit. They have spouses, children, and grandchildren they want to provide for, and who they can rely upon. In that scenario, it is easy to identify the...
Red Flags for Self-Neglect
Last week’s column introduced the concept of self-neglect (https://keystoneelderlaw.com/self-neglect-elder-abuse-or-individual-choice/). Over the past several years in Pennsylvania, this type of elder abuse has required involvement by Adult Protective Services...
Self-Neglect: Elder Abuse or Individual Choice?
In Pennsylvania, reports of suspected elder abuse have risen 63% over the last 5 years. During the fiscal year 2020-2021, Adult Protective Services (APS) across the Commonwealth received a total of 39,820 reports of suspected elder abuse. Of these reports, 34,742 (87...
Am I On The Hook For My Parents’ Care?
Jeff looked at me across a conference room table that was covered with bills and bank statements. We were discussing Jeff’s father, whose stroke had caused cognitive impairment and problems with physical mobility. Jeff’s father was in a nursing home. The...
Never Too Old For Friends
Henry Ford (1863-1947), the great American industrialist, once stated,“There are three things that grow more precious with age; old wood to burn, old books to read, and old friends to enjoy.” Presumably, this quote is from a time in his life when he could look back on...
