The Red Wagon Estate Planning & Elder Law Show

History is full of famous innovators who have influenced how we understand and interact with our world. Robert Armstrong isn't as famous as Leonardo DaVinci or Steve Jobs, but he is well known and well regarded as one of the architects behind the practice management systems in use throughout the legal profession. Jeffrey Bellomo learned about these systems and adopted them at Bellomo & Associates...

Today's marriages and the relationships that comprise them can be quite complex. Traditional marriage, remarriage, blended families, parenting marriage, living apart marriage, companionship marriage... the types of marriages and families seem almost endless.   The only thing more complex than the unions themselves is the laws surrounding the financial resources of the various parties. Add divorce...

An older adult should not have to waste precious time finding someone to drive them to a medical appointment and then spend more time sitting in a waiting room. But what is the alternative? Jeffrey Bellomo explores in-home, relationship-driven medical care for seniors with Kristen Nebel, DO, of PEACE OF MIND Aging & Wellness Specialists.   Dr. Nebel is double board-certified in Family Medicine and...

The idea of a "simple Will" sounds great. It seems inexpensive and easy, until real life exposes the limits of a Will. So, drawing on his vast experience, Jeffrey Bellomo explains why relying on a simple Will can leave a family vulnerable to taxes, probate costs, creditor claims, and unintended outcomes.  Effective estate planning is more than just a Will or a couple of quick documents pulled off...

Many of us know firsthand that the responsibility and effort needed to manage our money can be overwhelming. Oftentimes, the struggle arises with aging or after the loss of a spouse. Busy professionals and families also can have trouble keeping track of financial obligations. And, in today's economy, many young people need help creating budgets and tracking scarce financial resources. As a result,...

One thing we know for sure is that we will all need end-of-life planning and services eventually. And while some of us will choose familiar rituals like a traditional burial led by a religious leader, others appreciate having new and different options for honoring loved ones upon their death.   Ernie Heffner of Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory sits down with Jeffrey Bellomo to discuss evolving...

Jeff welcomes Santo Spataro of The Spataro Law Firm, a trusted referral partner whose roots in a family-owned restaurant shaped his instincts for entrepreneurship long before he attended law school.   Although Jeff and Santo share similarities in their personal and entrepreneurial approach to business—namely, an emphasis on integrity, expertise, and a client-centered style—they recognize the impor...

To introduce Matt Donald simply by saying that he's an Estate Planning Attorney would be to miss a big and informative part of Matt's story. Jeff and his good friend Matt look back at Matt's journey from a Pennsylvania high schooler to a U.S. Army Major to an educator and lawyer. Along the way, they discuss leadership, service, responsibility, and the value of sharing knowledge for free.   Matt op...

You've worked hard to build wealth through real estate, but how do you protect your investment when it's time to sell? For most people, the tax law around capital gains is highly complex, and the implications can be downright paralyzing. Beyond significant capital gains tax, you may also owe on depreciable assets, a Medicare surcharge, and state taxes. What are the legal options to minimize the ta...

Longtime listeners of this show know that we encourage education and early decision-making before a crisis forces your hand in matters of elder care and estate planning. Because this mindset also benefits people in other areas of life, Jeffrey Bellomo sits down with Ross Furner, founder of the Furner Realty Group. Ross knows that proactive planning in real estate can build wealth and create better...

Jeff Bellomo welcomes Mark O'Reilly of Shamrock Strategies Professional Coaching for an interesting conversation about what professional coaching is and how it works. As a coach, Mark creates a safe, confidential space that helps his clients maximize their potential by seeing their situation with fresh eyes.   Mark, who is Jeff's professional coach, points to different situations or transitions th...

Jeff Bellomo sits down with Lily Bertolet—a grad student and marketing assistant—to discuss how an unexpected opportunity as a 12-year-old grew into a front-row seat to mission-driven work at Bellomo & Associates. Along the way, Lily has learned about earning what you're given, the value of inspiration, and how initiative and opportunity can be used to create new opportunities.  The conversation l...

It seems like a simple question, but aging can be complicated, especially when a loved one shows signs of dementia and/or physical decline. Can you provide the right support for your family member or friend, ensure their safety, and avoid costly or even dangerous missteps in their care? Can you manage the expectations and stress on you and others who likely do not have the time or expertise to pro...

Jeffrey Bellomo and his dad, Alan, continue their discussion of events and relationships that have shaped their lives. They also share heartfelt memories of Jeff's mom, her illness, and her sudden passing. Alan describes how thoughtful estate planning and funeral pre-planning enabled his wife to make choices that were important to her and spared the family from stressful decision-making while grie...

Throughout the course of this podcast—the Red Wagon Elder Law and Estate Planning Show—we have featured various members of the team at Bellomo & Associates. Time and again, their discussions with our founder, Jeffrey Bellomo, show that his law firm is comprised of caring, dedicated, service-minded people. We now feature Jeff himself as he sits down with his dad for a candid conversation about the...

Everyone knows that with hearing loss, you can miss parts of conversations. But did you know that untreated hearing loss can cause faster cognitive decline, increased dementia risk, and brain atrophy?  Jeffrey Bellomo sits down with licensed hearing specialist Kathleen Scheydt of Hearing Life to discuss why early testing and treatment for hearing loss protect your ability to communicate with confi...

When we think of social workers, we typically picture them in a hospital, nursing home, or emergency setting. But the Life Care Planning Team at the Elder Law Firm of Bellomo & Associates is different. The LCP team members provide expert guidance for clients and their families in a wide and adaptable range of areas—from home environment safety to quality-of-life aging and complex emotional support...

Marketing for a mission-driven Estate Planning and Elder Law Firm isn't just messing around on Facebook. It means relying on front-line authenticity, building trust, fighting against misinformation, and working hard to help people understand the value of specialized knowledge and services. Jeff Bellomo and Roslyn Drotar-Cassidy, Director of Marketing at Bellomo & Associates, discuss why specialist...

During the current session of the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), the justices may hear a case that could overturn Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the landmark ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. If SCOTUS agrees to hear the case, it will re-surface the question of whether marriage equality should remain federally protected. Additionally, multiple states are engaged in a political strategy to fully...

Jeffrey Bellomo has made education the cornerstone of his firm, building programs that enable families and professionals to make smart decisions in estate planning and elder law. At the heart of this commitment are two powerful learning opportunities: professional boot camps and weekly workshops. Twice a year, Bellomo & Associates offers high-energy professional Elder Law Boot Camps. These are fre...

What happens when a family faced with an extreme medical crisis approaches a traditional law firm with concerns about paying for their health care expenses or worried about keeping the family home? Instead of being met with compassion and clarity, the family typically experiences confusion, frustration, and high legal fees. That was the painful reality Jeffrey Bellomo's family faced when he was a...

Join Jeffrey Bellomo as he addresses several questions that have surfaced during his weekly calls with members of the Red Wagon Club. Jeff reviews an increase in estate and gift tax exemptions as part of recent federal legislation and clears up confusion about irrevocable trusts and the "step-up in basis." Additionally, he explains Pennsylvania's grantor trust rules. Jeff also takes time to expres...

Join Jeffrey Bellomo as he discusses caring for the dementia caregiver with Carrie Aalberts, also known as Dementia Darling. If you're a caregiver, it's important to understand that your work matters, your health matters, and you are not alone.     ONLINE RESOURCES  Dementia Darling - https://www.dementiadarling.com/ Teepa Snow - https://teepasnow.com/ Dementia Careblazers - https://careblazers.co...

Jeffrey Bellomo sits down with Rebecca Deming, CEO and Principal Attorney at ProVet Legal, to discuss how the firm helps veterans get the full range of VA benefits that they have earned.  The team at ProVet Legal is experienced at resolving administrative snags, locating hard-to-find evidence, and tackling legal complexities at the state and federal levels. In addition to serving veterans across t...

What if one financial tool could dramatically improve your peace of mind by expanding your retirement options? Jeff welcomes mortgage expert and author Ken Pitts, founder of Advisors Mortgage Services, to discuss his book, "Kinetic Wealth," which he wrote to clear up misconceptions surrounding reverse mortgages.  In its most simple terms, a reverse mortgage is an opportunity to access the equity i...