Mateya Law P.C. | Blogs - Power of Attorney - Caring for Elderly Parents

What does that look like in sign language?

admin2024-11-21T19:29:02-05:00November 21st, 2024|Estate, Estate Planning and Administration, General|

What if you came to a meeting, sat down as it was about to begin, and the person next to you greeted you with a series of hand gestures that you did not recognize? Perhaps you politely smiled or nodded and then turned your attention to the front of the room as the speaker was about to begin. The first thing you notice is that there is no microphone at the podium. “That’s odd” you think, but then the reason becomes clear.

The speaker isn’t speaking, at least not out loud. He begins the meeting with hand gestures that are clearly […]

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This is Not For You . . .

admin2024-10-25T14:03:15-04:00October 25th, 2024|Estate Planning and Administration, General|

This blog is not for you, unless you care about what happens to your stuff after you pass away. If you do, then you should pay attention – this is for you. Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, says “Do you hate the people in your life? Die without a will! They will fight for years over your stuff.” A recent PBS broadcast suggested that fifty-five percent of us die w/out having a valid Last Will and Testament. This is a poor comment on our society.

Your Last Will & Testament does not need to be complicated. I have helped many clients […]

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What Should I Do With My RMDs?

admin2024-10-25T14:02:08-04:00October 2nd, 2024|Estate Planning and Administration|

RMDs. Required Minimum Distributions. What do you do with your RMD if you don’t need it? This conundrum comes up more often that you might think. People who are natural investors often simply reinvest them. But that’s no answer! That is merely kicking the can down the road to decide what to do with these funds another day. Perhaps you could buy a bigger house. The truth is, most of us who are of the age where we must take RMDs are more interested in downsizing than buying a bigger house.

RMDs can be a wonderful reminder for us that it […]

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Watching Out For Our Elderly Neighbors

admin2024-07-08T20:36:20-04:00July 8th, 2024|Estate Planning and Administration|

The level of Elder Abuse has risen to a level where Pennsylvania’s legislature felt compelled to take action. Act 45 addresses, among other provisions, how Elder Abusers are to be treated. Elder abuse includes not only physical abuse, but also emotional and financial abuse. It also includes exploitation, neglect and abandonment as well. So what has changed?

Elder abusers are now to be treated the same as slayers under the Slayers Act. The Slayers Act, in brief, does not allow the slayer (ie, the murderer) to benefit from his or her actions. When considering a murder, this makes perfect sense.

Now, a […]

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Living Trusts . . . But It’s Cold Outside!

admin2024-02-25T19:20:07-05:00February 25th, 2024|Estate Planning and Administration, General|

Why is it that the sun shining, as seen out my window in the morning, always seem to cheer me up? Then I walk outside and suddenly remember that it’s February and I quickly return to the warmth of my house. The sun is still shining, and the bright, cloudless sky still invites a smile. There is, however, more to consider than appearances alone.

People go to a seminar and learn that all of their worries about their future estate planning can be cured by investing in this magical thing called a “Living Trust.” There will be no family quarrels, no […]

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Mama Zoom

Mark Mateya2024-02-25T19:43:11-05:00September 10th, 2020|Estate Planning and Administration, General|

There are a lot of voices giving you advice. I have personally limited my online time and find that having fewer voices chatting, telling me what to do is a good thing. A very good thing. As an estate planning attorney, I am often asked about the veracity of the many “fill in the blank” will kits that are out there. And I do try to stay up to date, to see and hear the latest feedback. I also go online myself to try it out, to make sure I am not taking someone else’s jaded word s, like “It […]

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