Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys Serving Mt. Lebanon

We’re a young family in Mt. Lebanon. What estate planning should we do first?

Start with a will that names a guardian for your children, since a court decides if you don’t. Then add durable financial and healthcare powers of attorney, and check that the beneficiaries on your life insurance and retirement accounts match your wishes. Many Mt. Lebanon homeowners also consider a trust to manage money for minor children, so a young child doesn’t receive a large inheritance outright. A Mt. Lebanon estate planning attorney can build a plan that fits your family and update it as your children grow.

I’m helping my aging parents in Mt. Lebanon while raising my own kids. What legal documents should they have?

Aging parents should have a durable power of attorney for finances, a healthcare power of attorney, a living will, and an up-to-date will. These documents let you pay bills, speak with doctors, and make decisions if a parent becomes incapacitated, without asking a court to appoint a guardian. For sandwich generation families across Mt. Lebanon and the South Hills, putting them in place before a health crisis makes a stressful time much easier. An elder law attorney can also review your parents’ situation and explain their options if they need long-term care.

How can Mt. Lebanon seniors protect their home and savings from the cost of long-term care?

Many longtime Mt. Lebanon residents own homes that have grown significantly in value, and nursing home or assisted living costs can put that wealth at risk. Elder law planning can help families understand Medicaid and Veterans Benefits eligibility, which assets may be protected, and how to avoid costly mistakes when transferring property. Because Medicaid reviews asset transfers made in the 5 years before an application, planning early gives you the most options. An elder law attorney can also coordinate your estate plan, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives so your wishes are followed and your family is prepared.