When your grandmother was aging, she had few options. She could hope that one of her children could care for her, or she could go into a nursing home. It was not unusual for an elderly person to spend the last decade of life in a nursing home with other residents in...
Take the means test to see if you qualify for Chapter 7 relief
Are you drowning in debt? If so, you are not alone. There are quite a few Pennsylvania residents in the same boat as you. Like many of them, you are probably wondering what you can do about it. There are various debt relief options out there; Chapter 7 bankruptcy is...
Should you get a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement isn't often on your wedding to-do list, but it's becoming more common. It's no longer the taboo subject that it once was. The number of couples requesting prenups is on the rise, especially among a younger generation. Millennials are getting...
Common-law spouses must follow divorce laws
It’s been nearly 15 years since the state of Pennsylvania recognized new common-law marriages. Before January 1, 2005, couples that cohabited and exchanged words that showed intent to marry had legal marriage rights as a common-law marriage. There was no minimum...
Don’t just help your grandma cross the street – protect her purse
Your grandma may have been your role model as a child. Maybe you loved having her read books to you. Perhaps everything you know about baking is due to the hours she spent teaching (and cleaning up after) you in the kitchen. Whatever your connection was when you were...
Can you make the decisions when it comes to child custody?
Divorce can take its toll on everyone involved. While you certainly want to get through the process as unscathed as possible, you likely have more concern over how the process will impact your kids. This concern is understandable, as you have major decisions to make...
Special needs trust can protect your child
For some, estate planning is as simple as writing a will and dividing their assets equally among their children. However, you may have a more complicated situation that requires more careful consideration and planning. Distributing assets to some of your heirs may...
The most common reasons why people consider or seek a divorce
No two marriages are the same, and only you can say what exactly happened in yours to make you want a divorce. On the other hand, perhaps you can't quite put your finger on it except to say that time passed and you and your spouse drifted apart. If you talk to others...
Immediate changes to your estate plan as you divorce
You should postpone certain things until after the finalization of your divorce. For example, because of the emotional strain of a divorce, you should probably not make any serious decisions until things settle down. You may want to wait before you make any large...
Estate planning as a new parent
As a new mom or dad, you probably have a lot on your mind. Between diaper changes, pediatrician appointments and just trying to get enough sleep, your plate is too full for more than the most essential items.You may not consider estate planning important enough to...