Case Study: Crisis Management

Published: April 22, 2021

When Joan reached out to the team at Scott Bloom Law, she and her family were dealing with a crisis not uncommon amongst many families. About a decade ago, her mother, Maureen, had remarried and a few years after, Maureen and her new stepfather, David, moved in with Joan. Though things were good and cordial between Joan and David’s children, when David began to show signs of dementia, it became clear that the two families had different priorities. As David’s condition worsened, it became clear that Maureen could not provide him with the level of care and attention he needed, as she too began to suffer from health issues.

David’s son, John, felt that the best course of action was for David to be placed in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. Communication between the families had begun to be strained and mixed messages were being sent. Deciding on how to pay for the care of both parents had led to unrealistic expectations between the families.

When Joan finally reached out to the team at Scott Bloom Law, the biggest issue at hand was how the care of David would be paid for with there still being money left for Joan. Brokering peace between the two families and fostering open and clear communication was the first step taken. We laid out the ramifications of all of the decisions that were being considered and reviewed in detail the financial issues that could come about, including the possibility of funds running out.

After sensitively counseling both families, and through some starts and stops, we were eventually able to come to an agreement that left everyone pleased. This mutual resolution allowed for Maureen and David’s assets to be equitably and strategically utilized to the benefit of both parents. David was moved into an assisted living facility while Maureen remained living with Joan and an agreement was agreed upon on how the ongoing bills for both would fairly be paid.

At Scott Bloom Law, our team works tirelessly to ensure that our clients needs are met and that their best interests are accounted for. In a situation like the one above, we take great pride in coming to agreements between two parties with differing outlooks. It ended up being a pleasure to see the two families of good people come to a conclusion that everyone could leave happy with. Often with blended families, these type of situations cannot be resolved without duel representation. Utilizing multiple attorneys, while necessary at times, can be very costly for families with limited resources.

At Scott Bloom Law, we have the experience and breadth of knowledge necessary to understand and advise on all aspects of eldercare issues. With compassion, honesty, and attention to detail, the team at Scott Bloom Law will be there every step of the way for you and your family, providing a plan and offering guidance through the elder law legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation.

CLIENT Testimonial

Scott Bloom Law Estate Planning Diagram

Sometimes after a loved one passes away, the family learns of things they were unaware of while the loved one was living. This was the case for one of our clients, Sam, after his father Tom Jr. passed away. Sam was always under the impression that the home he had grown up in, and that his father had lived in until his death, was owned by Tom Jr. To say it came as a surprise that it was indeed Sam’s grandfather, Tom Sr., who was the actual owner of the home, is an understatement. 

Apparently, when Tom Sr. had passed away nearly 40 years ago, there was no proper estate plan established. Now, Sam would need to open his grandfather’s estate, resolve tax issues that were never addressed, and then go through the legal process to make the home a part of his father’s estate. At first, Sam believed that the entire process would be easy enough for him to handle on his own. However, after digging a little deeper, he quickly realized he would need the help of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.

Sam reached out to Scott Bloom Law and we developed a game plan for moving forward. We began by probating Tom Jr.’s will and, after some time, we were able to settle the estates of both Tom Sr. and Tom Jr. While it was no fault of Sam, this is a great example of the importance of having an Estate Plan in place. No one wants to leave their families in precarious situations after they pass. The long-term purpose of setting up an Estate Plan today is to preserve as much of your wealth as possible for the intended beneficiaries and retaining a capable attorney can help ensure all of your wishes are met.

At Scott Bloom Law, we are a team of advocates who care, always fighting for what’s best for our clients and their families. With knowledge, experience, and compassion, we strive to find solutions that make the aging process as emotionally and financially easy as possible. Visit us at scottbloomlaw.com or call 215-364-1111, to talk to find out more.

- Case Study: Estate Administration

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CLIENT Testimonial

Scott Bloom is one of the most caring, responsive, elder law attorney you can find in central New Jersey. He has been a great support not only for my parents but also for me and my siblings. We are deeply grateful for everything he has done over the past 3 years. I am thankful ever day that he came into our lives. In the past year, we lost our father to the terrible disease of dementia, but we are relieved to know that our mother is still in good hands with Scott by her side. Our entire family highly recommends Scott Bloom and his team!
- Annette B., Allentown, New Jersey

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