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OWM Firm News & Information

• O’Donnell, Weiss, & Mattei, P.C. is pleased and proud to congratulate two of our own – Ryan A. Costello and James C. Kovaleski – for their victories in the elections of November 8th.  Ryan Costello was elected to a new four-year term as Chester County Commissioner and Jim Kovaleski is a new member of the Phoenixville Borough Council.  Please see the articles from The Malvern Patch and The Mercury for more information.
• Kathleen M. Martin, Esquire, and Ryan A. Costello, Esquire Named "Rising Stars" by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Magazine and www.superlawyers.com
• Michael B. Murray, Jr., Esquire, has joined OWM Law to Co-Chair its growing Zoning and Land Use Practice Group

Assistance to Seniors, Medicaid, Long Term Care Insurance

• Assistance is Available for Senior Citizens who are Having Trouble Making Ends Meet
• Disabled Vets Can Get Aid and Attendance from VA
• Burial Reserves
• Long-Term Care Insurance is the Smart Way to Plan
• Programs are Available to Help Low-Income Senior Citizens
• Long-Term Care Insurance is Not Always Affordable
• Helpline Offers Free Legal Advice to Seniors in PA
• The Risks of Buying Limited Long-Term Care Insurance
• State Needs to Act on Long Term Living Bill
• Long-Term Care Insurance Not as Popular as Hoped
• Understanding Limitations for VA Benefits
• How Changes in Social Security Could Affect All of Us
• The Importance of Planning For Long-Term Care
• Compliant Annuity May Help Pay For Long-Term Care
• Medicaid Savings, But at What Expense?

Automobiles, Seniors and Insurance

• Staying Safe, Independent
• Driving Risks Increase with Age
• Love Affair with the Automobile Can Cost Some Cash
• Helping Keep Older Drivers Safe

Caregiver Issues

• Support Available for those who Care for a Loved One with Alzheimer's
• Make an Informed Nursing Home Decision
• Nursing Homes Will Now be Rated
• How to Make the Best Nursing Home Choice
• Advances in Medicine Create New Challenges for Many Caregivers
• CMS Now Offers More Support for Caregivers
• Online Information for Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients
• Intrafamily Care Still Works Today
• Listen to your Doctor And you'll be Healthy Longer
• New Regulations May Make Assisting Living a Better Option for Some
• Holidays Can Add More Stress for Caregivers
• Cost of Adult Children Caring for Aging Parents is Staggering
• Caregiving services may be tax deductible
• Decision-Making by Couples When One Spouse has Dementia

Housing Issues

• Before Transferring Property to Children, Consider Consequences
• A Reverse Mortgage Can Provide Seniors Financial Security
• Facts, Myths of Homeownership
• Nursing Home Won't Take your House
• Reverse Mortgage Counseling is a Casualty of Budget Deal
• Financial Woes Limit Building of Assisted Living Facilities

Investments, Annuities, Joint Accounts

• Annuities are Not a Good Investment for Everyone
• Some Joint Bank Accounts are Risky
• When Costs Rise, Credit Card Usage Goes Up
• Don't Let the Wrong Person Get your Funds
• Be Aware of Fees Paid to Plan Managers
• Young People Should Start Looking at Saving for Retirement Now
• Check your Adviser's Senior 'Certification'
• Warning Issued on Financial Designations for Senior Advisors
• Sale of Paper U.S. Savings Bonds to be Discontinued

Medicare Issues

• Many Aspects of Medicare Need Fixing
• Know the Basics Before Buying Medigap Policies
• How to Bend the Cost Curve of Health Care
• Be Cautious when Choosing your Medicare Coverage
• Be Prepared; Check your Coverage
• Inpatient or Not, How your Hospital Stay is Classified is Important to Know
• Medicare Looks to be in Worse Shape than Social Security
• Taking a Look at the Basics of Medicare
• Know your Medicare Options
• Be Aware of New Hospital Requirements for those on Medicare
• Caveat Emptor Regarding Medicare Advantage Plans
• Important to Consider Options when Choosing Among Medicare Plans
• Show 'Medical Necessity' to Get Adequate Coverage
• Defining Medicare's Tricky Terms
• Drug Benefit Program Gets a New 'Twist'
• How the New Health Care Bill Will Affect Seniors' Medicare Benefits
• Medicare Changes Will Benefit Seniors
• Be Sure to Sign Up for Medicare Even if you Plan to Keep Working
• Know Your Rights as a Medicare Beneficiary
• Seniors Will See Improvement in Drug Costs for 2011
• Younger Beneficiaries Have Difficulty With Medicare
• Enrollment in Medicare Important This Year
• Proposed Budget Resolution and Nursing Home Care
• Frustrations of Medicare and Nursing Home Benefits
• Medicare enrollment dates have changed
• Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries

Scams, Identity Theft

• Don't Fall for 'Certified Copy of Deed' Swindle
• Simple, yet Powerful Tips that Can Help Protect your Identity
• Avoid Becoming a Victim of Fraud

Estate Planning

• Joint Accounts and Wills Can Be Tricky
• The ABCs of U.S. Savings Bonds
• Review of the Current Tax Laws - Selling Your Home
• If You're Going to Loan Money, Draw Up Some Papers
• No Matter What Your 'Estate,' Planning is Needed
• Tax Tips for Seniors
• How Restoration of the Federal Estate Tax Will Affect You
• Be Sure to Check Designated Beneficiaries on Accounts
• Looking at Inheritance for Boomers
• Five Phases to Planning for Retirement
• Prenups May Be a Smart Estate Planning Tool
• Diminished Financial Capacity in Older Investors
• Bleak Picture for Retirement Savings of Lower-Income Workers

Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Gift Tax

• Living Wills: What you Should Know
• Plan Ahead by Choosing your Power of Attorney
• Some Advice for Executors of Wills
• Potential Problems Using Powers of Attorney
• Make Sure you Have 'People' When Filling out Legal Forms
• Instances Where Power of Attorney Can be Called into Question
• Pet Trusts Go Beyond a Will's Scope
• Don't Become a Victim of Poor Life Planning
• Be Sure you Can Have Faith in your Trust
• Gift Taxes Confusing to Many Taxpayers
• Buyer Beware When Using Online Services for Legal Advice
• Some Tips on Funding a Charitable Remainder Trust
• Be Sure to Have a Living Will in Place
• Gaining More Knowledge About Trusts
• Now is the Time to Discuss End-of-Life Treatment
• Powers of Attorney, Co-Agents and Conflict