The Life and Legacy Show

What's the difference between a will and an estate plan?  Why do most "plans" fail?  In this episode, Tim discusses the top 5 reasons most estate plans fail.   Listen in to find out how to protect your family from future problems.  

Happy New Years!  This time of the year is great to reflect on the prior year and plan for the coming year.   In this episode, Tim gives some thoughts on how to plan for your digital assets, as well as your physical ones.  Also, we share our theory on what will be the biggest change in 2022 .  What the heck is a NFT anyhow?  Learn the basics (very very basic) here.  

Merry Christmas!  This time of year it's common for folks to take some time and just feel grateful for all the blessings we've been given.   It's a time to slow down and just take in the small moments... like a child opening a gift or singing in a church Christmas show.   In this episode, Tim discusses how to preserve a legacy for your kids long after you're gone.  

The senior living landscape is a complicated one.  There are different levels of care available at different types of facilities.  Each type of facility accepts different payment sources.  All of this will impact how you receive your care and how much it costs.  It's confusing to say the least.  In this episode, Tim discusses your different care options and how you can get the government to h...

Each year, the PA Department of Human Services releases the average monthly cost of a nursing home bed in the state.  This year has the biggest jump in recent memory (probably the biggest jump ever) from $11,000 to $14,676.  A 25% increase in the cost of a nursing home in just the last 12 months! So, now that you know that, what are you going to do about it?  What are you going to do to protect yo...

I never met my grandfather.  He died very young.  If I had the chance, though, there are lots of questions I would want to ask him.   Where did you grow up?  What was it like there?  Tell me about your relationships with your siblings.  How did you feel the first time you saw my grandma?  How did you meet? I think it's natural that anyone would want to know the answers to these questions abou...

In this episode Tim discusses the LIFE program with LIFEPittsburgh's Deanna Guarnaccio.  LIFEPittsburgh is one of several local LIFE program providers.  They work to provide seniors with customized care with the aim of keeping people at home, rather than an institutional setting.   Deanna discusses many of the services they provide, how the application process works and who may be eligible. T...

Last week congress passed another 1.2 Trillion in spending.  Even with this spending there are still representatives in Congress who want to spend up to an additional $3.5 Trillion.    $450,000 payments to illegal immigrants. 85 vehicle convoy at climate conference where our President falls asleep. More oil pipe shutdowns while energy prices rise. Who is driving this ship? All the while, no one is...

This week, Tim is joined by a fantastic friend and attorney, Jeff Bellomo.  Jeff's practice in York, PA is very similar to the Sechler Law Firm in that it we see the same types of clients.  For our previous listeners, you'll find a ton of value in the way Tim and Jeff simplify some very complex issues.  For newcomers, get ready for a great session on how to get started creating a success...

The third week of October is always Estate Planning Awareness Week.  If you're like me, you're tired of being told what to be aware of.  Someone is always telling me I need to be aware of some social issue that doesn't really impact me. But this one does.  Estate Planning does impact you.  Unless you know something I don't, we will all eventually need an estate plan.  We will a...

Medicare open enrollment begins October 15th which means it is time to consider whether you are in the right Medicare plan.  There are big changes coming for 2022.  On this episode, Tim is joined by Sean Horn from Mediconnect, one of the region's largest independent insurance brokerages.  Long story short, these guys know their stuff.  Listen to this episode to learn all about how to best pla...

"All you need is a simple will" "Trusts are for rich people" "Irrevocable trusts are no good" "You should just pay your own way" All of these pieces of advice are given by accountants, financial advisors and lawyers.  All of them may be absolutely terrible advice.  So why are these falsehoods being spread?  Sometimes the advisor really doesn't know.  So...

Let's say you find your self in a situation where a loved one needs care.  Where are you going to turn for help?  Where is the person going to live?  How are you going to pay? Are there government benefits that could help?  Should I sign this contract? Our fragmented long term care system is confusing.  The care options themselves are overwhelming: Independent living, care at home, personal c...

Everyone seems to want their plan to do the same things: 1. Plan for my incapacity 2. Get my stuff to my family 3. Plan for my kids' misfortunes like divorce 4. Don't lose it all to the government 5. Be remembered fondly. See, simple right?  But not easy.  Each of these goals requires some serious thought and planning.  Listen to this episode to find out how to plan for your family in a...

1 in 3 seniors dies with dementia. 70% of seniors will need some form of long term care. Nursing homes cost $130,000+ per year. What are you doing about it? Listen to this episode to learn how to protect yourself against the next biggest battle you're going to face in the war against the middle class.   Don't wait for the bureaucrats and career politicians to fix it for you.  They aren&a...

Don't believe the lazy lawyers and online purveyors of junky documents.  They're not doing you any favors when they tell you, "All you need is a simple will".  This is a lie that is told to families way too frequently.   The problem is that complicated situations tend to have complicated solutions.  See, there's nothing simple about your family and your goals.  If you real...

Picture a McDonalds at 7AM.  You can smell the hashbrowns and coffee, right?  You see the table of the older fellows sitting in the corner?  You know what they're talking about every Tuesday morning - giving their house/savings to their kids.   Why do people do this?  If you read a newspaper realty transfer section, you'll see transactions by people giving their home to their child.  Why...

"People should just pay their own way when they need the nursing home."  I had a lawyer tell me this once.  What a shame that this lawyer let his personal screwed-up beliefs prevent him from helping his clients.   A nursing home admission is one of the most stressful situations in someone's life.  Not only is the medical issue and the transition stressful, but it is also a financial...

At the Sechler Law Firm, we get questions daily on whether trusts are a good option.    The thing to understand is that trusts can be a very flexible and effective tool.  The decision on whether to use a tool begins first with you determining your goals.  Once you know where you want to go, we can help you decide if the trust can help you get there.  In this week's episode, Tim talks about wh...

August is Leave a Legacy Month!  On this episode Tim gives tips on how to make sure your financial legacy gets to your family, rather than the government.   Also on this week's podcast, Tim is joined by his lovely wife, Robyn.  Robyn Sechler is the founder of Securing Memories, LLC, a company dedicated to helping you create and manage your digital legacy.  She discusses good tips for how to l...

On the show Tim often discusses assets like houses, financial accounts and IRAs.  In this week's episode, Tim chat's about something that most of us find a little more challenging to discuss - end of life decision making.   Do you have a Living Will?  If not, why?  If so, what does it say?   If you want to know what quality end of life planning looks like, check out this episode. 

Many people are of the opinion that Medicare is sufficient to cover their health care issues during their retirement years.  The problem is that Medicare doesn't pay for the single biggest expense seniors face: long term care.   In this episode, Tim discusses Medicare v. Medicaid.  He also explains how you can gain Medicaid eligibility, even after a nursing home admission.

Most retirees know they need to do "some planning".   But what does that mean?  Does it mean retirement planning?  Does it mean leaving a legacy to the kids?  Does it mean protecting assets from long term care?   A good plan incorporates all three of these ideas.  So who do you turn to?   In this episode, Certified Elder Law Attorney Tim Sechler discusses the different roles of financial...

Each July 4th we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  The audacity of the people who signed this document is astounding.  They were basically daring the most powerful military on the planet to come hunt them down.  They were willing to take this risk in the name of freedom from tyranny and oppression.  They wanted a better future.   What about you?  Do you want a better futur...

The days and weeks after you've lost a loved one is a confusing time.  You may find out that you've been named an executor.  In that case, you likely have tons of questions about what you need to do.   Perhaps your living relative has asked you to be the executor when the time comes and you'd like to know more about what that means. This show is full of some simple Do's and Don...