The Life and Legacy Show

Nursing Home admissions are stressful situations.  Unfortunately they are made even more stressful by complicated admission contracts.  Further, there are non-attorneys giving incomplete guidance that could cost consumers thousands of dollars in mistakes or missed opportunities.  If you will need a nursing home soon (or know someone who will), this episode is for you!

This week we learned that Bruce Willis has Frontotemporal Dementia.  What is it and what can we learn from this terrible diagnosis.  Listen in to learn how to protect yourself from the financial ramifications of needing long-term care.

Lisa Marie Presley passed away too young on January 12, 2023.  By the end of January, the first will challenge has already been filed with the court.  The challenge brings forth a couple of issues and pitfalls to avoid.  Let's discuss. 

Depending on which estimate you believe, up to 14 million Americans are at risk of losing Medicaid benefits this year as some Covid Era rules come to an end.  For the last 3 years, Medicaid did not require you to re-certify your financial eligibility every year.   In April, the rules are going back to the Pre-Covid policy and many people are going to lose their benefits.  If you have someone in yo...

Our government is failing our seniors.  Between rising healthcare costs, increased taxation, and requiring seniors to go broke before they get any help with long term care costs, how can anyone succeed.  If your goal is to provide for your family instead of their coffers, listen to this episode. 

Do you have an estate plan?  Is it a good one?  How would you know?  In this episode, Tim discusses his criteria for a successful estate plan.  If you've thought about doing some estate planning this year, this episode is a great start. 

It's New Year's Eve and that is a time for reflection and planning.  Did you know that many people mark "getting my affairs in order" as one of their top resolutions? If it has been a while since you have updated your estate plan (or if you never have planned), Tim explains how to get started with the creation of a custom plan just for you. 

It's the Season of Giving.... but avoid these important legal problems that gifts could great!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is without a doubt the best Christmas movie ever made... and it's not even close.  If you agree, you've probably watched this movie dozens of times like we have.  In this fun episode, Tim discusses all the legal issues presented in the movie and how some could have been avoided.  Great, fun episode.

This time of year, families get together to spend time.  For some families, these wonderful get-togethers will be a wake-up call.  You'll realize that a senior member of your family is starting to slip from a cognitive standpoint.  She'll tell the same story 3 times.  She'll have trouble recalling a name or a past event.  She'll have trouble following a conversation.  These are...

In this episode, Tim takes a minute to celebrate Veterans Day by explaining a few programs that Veterans should know about.  First, we discuss the Camp Lejeune Act and how injured Vets can finally recover from the government.  Second, Tim discusses a little-known benefit known as Aid and Attendance benefits, which allows wartime veterans to receive money for long-term care. 

In response to questions we received following our recent Medicaid episode, Tim gets back to the basics in this episode to explain the eligibility rules for Medicaid to pay a nursing home.  The episode is essentially a class on what you need to know about Medicaid.  A great listen for anyone caring for a loved one. 

There is so much confusion about the role of the executor.  What happens if there is no will?  How do I get sworn in? What are my duties? How long does it take? Should I get help? In this episode, Tim discusses the role of the executor and the process of administering an estate in PA.  This is an extremely informational show if you currently serving as an executor or if you may need to in the futu...

If you or a loved one ever need a nursing home, you need to be prepared that it will likely cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The only government agency that will help you pay is Medicaid.  But Medicaid has harsh eligibility rules.   Within those rules, there are some opportunities and pitfalls.  In this episode, Tim shares a few insights on how to protect yourself and your family.

On this episode, Tim interviews Attorney Josh Nelson, owner of Nelson Elder Care Law in Georgia.   Tim and Josh discuss what makes elder law attorneys unique and why it's the only type of estate plan you should consider.   This episode has great information on how to protect your family, savings and legacy.  Enjoy.

At the Sechler Law Firm, we have recently become involved with two opportunities that may allow you to get some much needed money from the government coffers. First is the Employee Retention Tax Credit which is a misunderstood opportunity for employers.  If you own a company or are in a leadership position, you need to know about this credit.  It could mean up to $26,000 for each employee!! Second...

Aren't Trusts Only For Rich People?  No!!!!!! Listen to this episode for 9 reasons that middle-class families should consider owning their home in a trust.   Don't assume you don't need a trust because you're  not "rich".  The assets you have matter!  Protect them!

Far too often,  when a family admits a loved one to a nursing home, they assume it is too late to plan to protect assets.  This is wrong!  There are still dozens of opportunities that could make sense.  In this episode, Tim explains 10 different opportunities to plan even after a nursing home admission. So how would you know which option is right for you?  You won't.  It's too darn compl...

Business Owners - You likely overpaid your taxes in 2020 and 2021.   Every quarter, you file a 941 Quarterly Employer tax return.  In 2020 and 2021 there was a credit against these taxes that most employers failed to take.   It is time to amend your 941s and request a refund for the taxes you overpaid. In this episode, Tim is joined by Sam Brotman, the owner of Brotman Law Firm in San Diego.  He&a...

In this episode, Tim shares a couple of stories that show the importance of doing asset protection work.  He shares how planning ahead for long-term care can protect your home and savings.  He also shares an example of a "crisis" case where you protect significant money even after a nursing home admission.

Middle-class seniors have a big problem... One-third will develop dementia and two-thirds will need some form of long-term care.  In Pennsylvania, nursing homes cost $180,000 per year.   Do you want to know how to protect your home and savings from this broken system?  Listen to this week's show. 

If you are a veteran or know a veteran, this episode is for you.  Tim interviews fellow attorney, Todd Wesche, of Vetus Legal, a  law firm helping veterans nationwide get the benefits they deserve.   Tim and Todd, both veterans themselves, discuss the challenges in working with the Veterans Administration.  Todd has some very helpful tips for any veteran who may suspect they have a service-related...

Should I give my house to my kids?  Will I lose my house if I go to the nursing home? What are the rules?  How Do I Decide? In this episode, Tim discusses one of the most common questions we get - How Should I Best Plan For My House? Listening to this episode may save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Let's get to it!

What is your legacy?  Is it the financial inheritance you will leave to others?  Is it the keepsakes you pass on?  Is it your life's story; all the good and the bad?   In this episode, Tim asks a question that has been bugging him for weeks.  He also discusses how to leave a positive legacy that will be remembered by future generations.  THIS IS A GREAT SHOW.

In early July, the PA legislature passed a budget that was subsequently signed by Gov Wolf.  In this budget, there are great increases in funds going to long-term care facilities.  This is a big, nonpartisan, win for nursing homes, their employees, and their residents.  But no one in the government is actively trying to improve the biggest problem for seniors - the requirement that they go broke b...