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Understanding how Medicaid works, and especially how eligibility is determined, is essential to protecting assets, avoiding costly mistakes, and securing the care you or your loved one needs. The following sections outline key Medicaid concepts every Pennsylvania family should know.

With nursing home costs in many parts of the state often exceeding $10,000 to $15,000 per month, a single mistake in Medicaid planning can lead to massive, unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.

For individuals navigating estate planning and wealth preservation, irrevocable trusts offer a powerful and strategic vehicle for protecting inherited assets, minimizing death taxes and, to some extent, income taxes, and ensuring generational continuity. A particularly beneficial structure involves placing inherited assets into an irrevocable trust.

Long-term care (nursing home) costs are significant. In Pennsylvania, the average monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home facility for 2024 was nearly $13,000, or $156,000 annually. Especially for retirees on a fixed income, this amount could wipe out all or most of one’s lifetime savings. Medicaid, a federal program providing public health insurance for people with low income, can be an important asset protection tool for those who qualify.

Working with an experienced Pennsylvania estate planning attorney is the most effective way to ensure your Will is valid, enforceable, and tailored to your circumstances.

Starting a business is an exciting endeavor. There are a multitude of considerations, and the decisions made early on can have long-lasting legal and financial consequences. Speaking with a business formation attorney at the outset can help you avoid costly mistakes, protect your personal assets, and set your company up for long-term success.

Medical Powers of Attorney (often referred to as healthcare powers of attorney, or Advance Directives) are essential to a comprehensive estate and/or elder law plan.

On November 24, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued its decision in Coleman v. Parkland School District, which addressed Section 712.1 of the Sunshine Act’s exceptions to the 24-hour advance agenda notice requirement for public meetings.  Importantly, the decision overturns the Commonwealth Court’s 2023 opinion and reinstates subsection (e) to allow for addition of items to the agenda by a majority vote of the agency.

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) became law, enacting several changes that will impact employers and employees. 

A guardianship is a court-imposed arrangement for incapacitated individuals, whereas a power of attorney (POA) is a voluntary document that allows a competent person to appoint an agent of their choice to make decisions on their behalf.

As a result of a case out of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, a new regulation was issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) applicable to the 10% DBE requirement. 

The First Half 2025 Merger & Acquisition Update prepared by Optis Partners reports 319 announced insurance agency mergers and acquisitions during the first half of calendar year 2025 as compared to 345 for the same period in 2024 (an 8% reduction). 

Title insurance safeguards buyers and lenders from financial losses due to title defects. Title companies coordinate the closing process, ensure a clear title, and handle the necessary paperwork and disbursements. Knox Law’s real estate team, with licensed title agents, can help make your home purchase or sale smooth and secure.

May is Elder Law Month! To celebrate, we’re answering some frequently asked questions about topics relevant to older Pennsylvanians and their families. 

Mergers and acquisitions among insurance agencies and brokers in the United States and Canada totaled 750 in 2024.