The Red Wagon Estate Planning & Elder Law Show

Jeff welcomes Wade Williams from Integrity Wealth Strategies. With tax, audit, and real estate experience under his belt, Wade found his real passion was helping others as a financial advisor. Jeff and Wade discuss investment management and the process of starting up with an advisor. They also highlight the value of expertise and a client-centric model for legal and financial services. Jeff and Wa...

Jeff welcomes Mark Sussman from Strategic Business Group. Mark is an executive coach, mentor, and family business advisor. He helps leaders widen their perspective on their business, formulate plans to achieve their goals and monitor their progress. Being in charge can be lonely, so Mark also runs a peer advisory group for CEOs and owners. The Small Business Forum is a collaborative and non-compet...

Jeffrey Bellomo is joined by Meg Motter, Life Care Planning Coordinator at Bellomo & Associates. As an experienced, licensed social worker, Meg provides personalized support for elderly individuals dealing with various challenges related to aging, health, and living arrangements. Meg and Jeff share stories of commitment, personal connections, and the critical role of advocacy in health care. It's...

Jeff is joined today by Craig Milsten. Craig has worked as an assistant District Attorney and the head of litigation at a large general practice law firm. For the last 18 years, he has been with Katherman Briggs & Greenberg (KBG) Injury Law. Craig is an experienced trial attorney and specializes in personal injury claims.  Both Craig and Jeff have teenagers who are exceptional performers and music...

Jeff's guest is Tina Hess, the owner of Good News Consulting, a training, consulting, care management, and guardianship company specializing in person-centered dementia care since 1998. Members of the team also began serving as court-appointed guardians in 2004. With its advocacy, caregiver training, and resources for professionals and families, Good News Consulting continues to have a profound im...

With the holidays upon us, you might be tempted to gift large sums of money to your children. But Jeff warns against this seemingly generous practice because gifting money and/or assets carries real and potential risks, including loss of control, severe tax implications, and inability to pay for long-term care.  Jeff recommends a more thoughtful and lasting gesture—give peace of mind. Do the thing...

Estate planning is not only for older, established homeowners. Jeff explains how to know when it's the right time to set up powers of attorney and wills. He outlines state laws that will determine how medical decisions and finances will be handled if a person dies or becomes incapacitated without legal documents in place. Then, he ties it all together with a discussion of trusts for asset protecti...

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0 was passed in December 2022. Some sections are already in effect and others begin January 1, 2024. The law focuses mainly on retirement and tax-related issues, but has significant implications for estate planning, also. People who have estate plans that list trusts as beneficiaries of retirement accounts are advised to have...

When a person calls Bellomo & Associates looking for information for the first time, they speak with Intake Specialist Jacob Sherman. Jacob's passion for helping others, especially when they are going through a tough time, is evident from the start. As a provider of what Jeff calls, "service extraordinaire," Jacob ensures that a person's initial interaction with Bellomo is both helpful and positiv...

Jeff reflects on his many years as an attorney and shares the advice he would give himself as a young lawyer. As it turns out, his advice consists of universal truths: think differently; keep learning and growing; be clear, consistent, and honest in your communications; accept that people need to make their own decisions in their own time; nurture and value your relationships; and, most of all, ch...

Jeff answers another set of commonly asked questions in this last part of our series. But keep your questions coming! Along with guest interviews and deep dives into special topics, we will continue to address your questions periodically. And, of course, we're happy to assist you in our workshops, meetings, and all of the ways we interact.   What You Need to Know     (02:20) What if I suspect that...

As we continue our series, Jeff discusses several misconceptions that surround elder law, asset protection, and estate planning. These questions apply to everyone, regardless of financial status. Whether he's talking about basic wills, different types of trusts, or the significance of the red wagon, Jeff uses relatable examples to make the concepts easy to understand. With that clarity comes the r...

In this first part of our series that addresses some commonly asked questions, Jeff highlights the importance of proper planning for asset protection, regardless of age, and describes the expertise needed to effectively serve clients in this highly specialized area of the law. In addition to protecting your assets, it's about securing your financial legacy and ensuring that your loved ones receive...

"I believe it's my job and my purpose to assist in all matters and to eliminate any unnecessary stress during this emotional time, and to make the process as easy as possible." That is from Dana Wieseman, Estate Administration Paralegal at Bellomo & Associates.   It's easy to see Dana's commitment and compassion for clients as she discusses her extensive experience in estate administration. Jeff a...

Jeff talks with K.C. Delp and Julia Dunn, M.Ed., LPC, of Olivia's House, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing no-cost grief and loss support for children and families. Olivia's House has an unmatched reputation with its proven program model, incredible volunteers, and tremendous support from the community.   In addition to providing support after the death of a loved one, the team can...

Ken Pitts is co-owner of First Choice Mortgage Advisors, a mortgage broker in Media, PA, just outside Philadelphia. Ken's team of highly skilled loan specialists takes the time to understand and develop the best option for each borrower's unique goals and needs.   Jeff and Ken discuss various aspects of home financing and how different options and considerations can enhance your estate plan. Ken e...

Sean Crowley is the owner and founder of Stonehenge Advisor Group, a full-service financial consulting firm specializing in Social Security maximization and retirement income planning. The firm also provides product-agnostic services for health, life, and disability insurance, Medicare and Medicaid insurance, prescription insurance, and other programs.   The Stonehenge Advisor Group has a strong,...

Jeff's guest is Matt Halperin, the founder of Backstay Digital, an innovative company specializing in website design and development along with cross-platform solutions. On the cross-platform side, Backstay Digital works with clients to develop apps and build minimal viable products that attract investors.   The team also works with a wide range of companies to create user-friendly websites and ap...

There are four ways to transfer assets to your loved ones: joint ownership, sole ownership, sole ownership with beneficiary designations, and via a trust. Depending on your situation, you could use one or more of these methods. It is vitally important, however, that you treat the four methods as related elements in an overarching estate plan.   Jeff takes you through the proper use cases and tax i...

Regardless of your financial situation, putting your home in an asset protection trust provides unparalleled benefits—it safeguards the wealth in your home, anticipates future health care needs, and minimizes taxation. Placing your home in a trust is not just a smart financial move, it provides you with the sense of security that comes with continued control and ownership of your home. Estate tax...

The team at Bellomo & Associates is passionate about providing education and empowering your family with the knowledge you need to make informed estate planning and elder care decisions. Our educational workshops and updated service model are revolutionizing estate planning practices all across the country. The Three Secrets Workshop explains how to protect your family's legacy and why planning fo...

We've been getting a lot of questions about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. It's important to understand the distinctions so that you can make the most of the benefits that are available to you. Our free workshops provide in-depth educational opportunities, and we encourage you to sign up at our website—both in-person and online learning are offered. Until then, take advantage of Je...

People often think that they should transfer their assets directly to their grandchildren (or children) to avoid inheritance tax. Jeff explains why signing over assets to someone else can present serious risks to a family's financial health. He suggests using a trust instead so that you can ensure that your wealth will be there for your children and grandchildren when needed.   As with all the edu...

A recent revenue ruling by the IRS has caused some confusion. The ruling applies to "intentionally defective grantor trusts" or IDGTs. Bellomo & Associates does not use IDGTs. Instead, the firm uses " irrevocable grantor trusts" or "pure grantor trusts." The IRS ruling does NOT apply to these types of trusts.   We are committed to using strategies that are based on trusted and legitimate tax and l...

Are you aware of the significant risks in using do-it-yourself legal kits and non-attorneys or non-specialist attorneys for estate planning?   Each state has its own rules for preparing wills, powers of attorney, advanced health care directives, etc. Standard forms sold nationwide simply cannot meet all the different requirements of different states—and that can have devastating consequences for y...