Power of Attorney and Advance Directive

Incapacity is not a topic most of us want to dwell on. However, for most of us, it is a very real possibility that often occurs without warning. Several estate planning documents address this issue, including powers of attorney and advance directives.

The Financial Power of Attorney

The person who signs a power of attorney (the “principal”) authorizes another person (the “agent) to act on his or her behalf. More than one type of power of attorney is available, and each assigns very specific powers.

In a financial power of attorney, the principal gives an agent the power to handle their financial affairs. This type of document is used to plan for future incapacity.

For example, you might become unable to handle your own financial affairs because of disease or an accident. Your agent would use the authority granted in your power of attorney to manage your finances with little or no interruption.

The Healthcare Power of Attorney

This document has the same structure as a financial power of attorney. However, instead of managing financial affairs, the agent named in a healthcare power of attorney makes medical and personal care decisions for the principal.

If you are suddenly unable to make your own medical decisions, then your agent can help you without the need for court intervention.

The Advance Directive

Besides being a power of attorney, the healthcare power of attorney is one of several documents known as advance directives. The living will is another common estate planning document that specifically addresses end-of-life care.

If no advance directive is available, a close family member might be allowed to make medical decisions under Act 169. However, family members might disagree on your appropriate medical care and without clear direction, medical providers will not get in the middle of a family dispute. The better option is to have your wishes spelled out in written form.

The Living Will

When facing terminal or end-of-life illness, some people prefer to stay alive as long as possible. Others focus on whether they can maintain their quality of life. There is no right or wrong choice here. What matters is having end-of-life planning in place so you can have more control over the outcome.

In Pennsylvania, living wills do not become active until certain conditions have been met. An individual’s terminal illness or inability to make end-of-life decisions triggers their healthcare power of attorney and living will.

Living wills have nothing to do with your last will and testament but apply to end-of-life care only. Specifically, your living will instructs your healthcare decision maker whether to withdraw life support or withhold medical care if you are terminally ill or in a vegetative state.

Your living will can prevent someone from approving aggressive treatment against your stated wishes.

What Happens If the Proper Documents Are Not in Place?

Without a financial power of attorney, no one can act on your behalf in financial matters. If you don’t have advance directives in place before becoming incapacitated, no one will have the power to make crucial medical decisions for you. Instead, a family member or someone else will have to ask the court to appoint a legal guardian. However, guardianships are not always the best option because the process:

• Is time-consuming, and
• Increases your legal fees

A court-appointed guardianship also limits your control. The judge may appoint someone who does not know your healthcare and end-of-life preferences. Also, your guardian may have to seek court approval before taking action that is routinely permitted under your power of attorney. Well-drafted powers of attorney and living wills can help you maintain control.

Someone to Put the Plan Together

At Slutsky Elder Law, we help clients protect their future through powers of attorney, estate and asset protection planning, and guardianship proceedings.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Josh Woolfrey 
 
13 October 2026
 
 
  
I had to administer my mom's estate after being her full-time, live-in caregiver for 2 years. I was really not feeling up to the task, after 2 years of my mom's dementia. Rob and Kathy were extremely helpful, professional, and patient as they helped me through the probate process, as my mother had no will. They made the process as painless as possible for my exhausted mind.

I would absolutely reccomend Rob and his team to anyone who asks me.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Lou Luciani 
 
1 September 2026
 
 
  
Once again I want to say thank you to Slutsky Elder Law. My mother has been doing well  for 6 years thanks to all the help provided by Robert. My mother is 90 yeas old and is doing great. We could not have done it without Robert and his team.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Allison B. 
 
29 August 2026
 
 
 Verified 
We turned to Rob during an incredibly hard time when my husband was living with progressive dementia and we needed to get wills and planning in place. He was detail oriented, his office was quick to follow up, and consistently kind, which gave me a steady hand when things felt overwhelming. He also supported my mother with the same level of care as she got her affairs in order. We never felt rushed, just clearly guided. I'd recommend him without hesitation to any family navigating elder care complexities.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Sam K. 
 
5 August 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Using Slutsky Elder Law to help with navigating the end of life for my parents was a great experience!! Robert laid all of my parents wishes out including trust work so that I could concentrate on taking care of my parents and not having to make difficult emotional decisions which may have not represented my parents wishes while dealing with siblings. Robert and his staff were there for the whole ride and anytime I needed some guidance he always answered my questions. Felt so good about our relationship over a 12 year period we had Robert close my parents estate. I can not say enough good things about Slutsky Elder care and you would be blessed to be able to use this gem!!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Clare Higgins 
 
20 July 2026
 
 
  
We were initially overwhelmed with the process of sorting out our mom's estate. She had several accounts that still had her late husband on them, which complicated things even more. Bob and his team were amazing at helping to figure everything out with us and took the burden off of our family during such a difficult time. They were patient, communicative, and very thorough, and I would highly recommend them to others!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 susan hanna 
 
9 April 2026
 
 
  
I couldn’t have been more pleased with the experience I had with Slutsky Elder Law as the firm that helped me handle my sister’s estate.  It was a complicated estate, requiring two and a half years of work.  Robert Slutsky, and his paralegal Kathy Amato, made what appeared to be an excruciating and interminable task into something doable.
I met Rob through several workshops that he conducted for the Montgomery County PSEA-Retired organization on various aspects of elder care.  His knowledge is most impressive.  When I needed help to fulfill my sister’s wishes I called on his expertise.  Rob guided me through the entire process.  He helped me with finding contacts and with making appointments, both virtual and in person.  He helped me with completing forms and with wording.  Rob answered all my questions—no matter how trivial!  And he even added some levity to a very trying experience.
I highly recommend Slutsky Elder Law for estate planning and related services.
Susan Hanna
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Michael Wimmer 
 
4 February 2026
 
 
  
Rob and his staff are second to none!  The time, effort, and attention to detail were spectacular.  Rob took his time to listen to all of our concerns and gave expert advice to help our family through a rough time.  Rob is one of the kindest, genuine, and most welcoming person you will ever meet.  I highly recommend him!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mike W. 
 
4 February 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Rob and his staff are second to none!  The time, effort, and attention to detail were spectacular.  Rob took his time to listen to all of our concerns and gave expert advice to help our family through a rough time.  Rob is one of the kindest, genuine, and most welcoming person you will ever meet.  I highly recommend him!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Zena M. 
 
31 July 2025
 
 
  
Rob Slutsky and his team are the Best of the Best. After many, many hours of research, only God Himself led me to Rob Slutsky.  I watched many of Rob’s interviews where he methodically unpacked the extremely complex nuances of various aspects of Elder Law making it accessible and understandable to even a novice. His approachable and affable communication style is only exceeded by his extreme diligence, meticulous attention to detail and determination to get the best results for his clients.  He cared about and focused on my loved one like he was a member of his own family.  His team is driven and hardworking and on top of their game.  You could waste a lot of time ‘kissing frogs’ before finding a real prince.  Just call Rob.  He is the real deal – the Best of the Best.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Valerie Berry 
 
2 April 2025
 
 
  
We realized we need an elder care law expert when our Mom transferred into a long term care facility.  We were given the application and a list of required documentation and left on our own to navigate the Medicaid application process. Needless to say, we were completely overwhelmed. From our first phone call to Slutsky Elder Law we knew we found the support we were looking for!

At our initial consultation Rob very patiently answered all our questions and discussed a potential plan to set up power of attorney, complete the Medicaid application, and initiate the sale of her house. He explained that the house sale would incur a Medicaid penalty period and explained how we would plan to navigate her expenses during that time. For the first time in this process, we felt confident that with Rob’s help Mom’s best interests would be protected.

Gathering the documents for the Medicaid application is a lengthy and sometimes complicated process, but Rob guided us through it every step of the way. He patiently and promptly answered all our questions as they came up. His paralegal Shelia assisted with the painstaking review of all our documents and alerted us to things we were missing or needed to be resolved prior to submitting the application. Once the application process was completed, Rob guided us through the sale of her house and the subsequent process of notifying Medicaid and preparing for the penalty period that was incurred by the house sale. Thanks to his expertise we have a step-by-step plan in place to cover her expenses during this penalty period.

We never would have been able to navigate this process alone and are so grateful to Rob for his assistance. We highly recommend Slutsky Elder Law – Rob’s exceptional service and commitment to his clients is outstanding!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Lisa Tamborello 
 
24 March 2025
 
 
  
I had an incredible experience working with Rob Slutsky, Slutsky Edler Law, and his team. From the moment I reached out for help with elder care planning, I felt fully supported. Rob took the time to explain everything in detail, making sure I understood all my options. They were patient, compassionate, and highly professional throughout the process.

What stood out the most was their sincere attentiveness to my concerns, leading to a plan that precisely met my family's needs. I never felt rushed or pressured, and I always left our meetings feeling confident that we were moving in the right direction.

If you’re looking for someone who combines expertise with a genuine commitment to their clients, I wholeheartedly recommend Slutsky Elder Law. They turned a potentially overwhelming process into a much easier one to navigate. Thank you for your outstanding service!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Lisa T. 
 
24 March 2025
 
 
 Verified 
I had an incredible experience working with Rob Slutsky, Slutsky Edler Law, and his team. From the moment I reached out for help with elder care planning, I felt fully supported. Rob took the time to explain everything in detail, making sure I understood all my options. They were patient, compassionate, and highly professional throughout the process.

What stood out the most was their sincere attentiveness to my concerns, leading to a plan that precisely met my family's needs. I never felt rushed or pressured, and I always left our meetings feeling confident that we were moving in the right direction.

If you're looking for someone who combines expertise with a genuine commitment to their clients, I wholeheartedly recommend Slutsky Elder Law. They turned a potentially overwhelming process into a much easier one to navigate. Thank you for your outstanding service!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Kari Altman 
 
9 February 2025
 
 
  
I required the expertise of an elder care attorney for Medicaid planning and Slutsky Elder Law was recommended to me.  The first step was an introductory call with Rob where I explained my circumstances in detail and he outlined the steps involved in the process. From the outset, it was obvious he was an expert with an abundance of experience in this area, he was a straight shooter and a refreshingly genuine and empathetic person. He didn't sugar-coat the fact that the Medicaid application would be a lengthy process and somewhat arduous for me, but emphasized that he and his staff would be there every step of the way.

The process took 6+ months and entailed a significant amount of communication and no shortage of questions on my part. Both Rob and his paralegal staff were extremely responsive, never hesitated to schedule a phone call for assistance and figuratively held my hand throughout. While the fee for these services is not insignificant, considering the number of hours his office invested on my behalf as well as the protection I'd have as a result, the cost was more than justified. Thanks Rob and Gina!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Robert Curry 
 
6 February 2025
 
 
  
Rob and the staff at Slutsky Elder Law helped our family through some difficult times over a two-year period beginning in March 2023.  We learned about Rob through an internet search, and we were initially apprehensive about dealing with an attorney.  My initial contact was via phone call and Kathy, who is a paralegal at the firm, was kind and made me feel comfortable right off the bat.  We set up a meeting with Rob personally at his office attended by Dad, my brother and myself.  Again, Rob and the staff were great and made us feel completely comfortable.

Mom had passed away in November 2022 and our initial meeting with Rob was to prepare a new will and power of attorney for Dad.  Rob also helped us with a "rent to own" agreement that I had with my parents (for a PA home) that had not been properly documented previously.

Dad's health began to decline shortly after, and he was in and out of the hospital and several rehab facilities. Rob was able to provide guidance and advice during this time, often at a moment's notice.

Upon Dad's passing in May of 2023, we engaged with Rob to handle estate administration.  Again, Rob and his staff were very kind and understanding throughout this entire process.  They handled probate, deed transfer of the PA home, the inheritance tax return and more.

During our time working with Rob, what stands out the most was his incredible responsiveness.  And, throughout it all, Rob and staff cared … never missing an opportunity to offer words of comfort and support.

We would highly recommend Rob and the staff at Slutsky Elder Law.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Robert C. 
 
6 February 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Rob and the staff at Slutsky Elder Law helped our family through some difficult times over a two-year period beginning in March 2023.  We learned about Rob through an internet search, and we were initially apprehensive about dealing with an attorney.  My initial contact was via phone call and Kathy, who is a paralegal at the firm, was kind and made me feel comfortable right off the bat.  We set up a meeting with Rob personally at his office attended by Dad, my brother and myself.  Again, Rob and the staff were great and made us feel completely comfortable.

Mom had passed away in November 2022 and our initial meeting with Rob was to prepare a new will and power of attorney for Dad.  Rob also helped us with a "rent to own" agreement that I had with my parents (for a PA home) that had not been properly documented previously.

Dad's health began to decline shortly after, and he was in and out of the hospital and several rehab facilities. Rob was able to provide guidance and advice during this time, often at a moment's notice.

Upon Dad's passing in May of 2023, we engaged with Rob to handle estate administration.  Again, Rob and his staff were very kind and understanding throughout this entire process.  They handled probate, deed transfer of the PA home, the inheritance tax return and more.

During our time working with Rob, what stands out the most was his incredible responsiveness.  And, throughout it all, Rob and staff cared ... never missing an opportunity to offer words of comfort and support.  

We would highly recommend Rob and the staff at Slutsky Elder Law.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Robin Monteleone 
 
5 February 2025
 
 
  
My mom moved to PA from another state and Slutsky Elder Law was recommended to us. Robert Slutsky was great! He listened to mom and made sure all of her necessary documents were completed in a timely manner. He was very kind and patient with her.

When mom passed away, he was very kind and provided step by step instructions regarding the process from beginning to the end, to settle mom’s estate. PA estate law is different from other states. This is a time where emotions are high amongst all family members, so I highly advise using Robert Slutsky as he will represent the decedent’s will. He helped navigate me through all phases of this process with his knowledge, kindness and efficiency.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Miriam Peskowitz 
 
3 February 2025
 
 
  
When I needed to figure out Medicaid funding for my husband’s nursing home care, the social worker at University of Pennsylvania  Neurology (and several other people) sent me to Rob Slutsky.

Thank goodness. Rob and his team figured out a strategy to  help me get ready to apply AND walked me through the process of gathering all the materials for the application. They know everything and have done this for years. Also, they held my hand through everything and were very kind. I felt like I had a group of very knowledgeable best friends to guide me through.

I’d recommend them to anyone, and especially to any families with more complicated situations.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Greg Gemgnani 
 
21 November 2024
 
 
  
I first learned about the legal services that Rob Slutsky and his team can provide from a previous client.   This client spoke highly of his experience and recommended I contact Rob because we had similar needs for home care assistance for our wives.
It became apparent to me on our first meeting that Rob and Sheila, a team member, were well organized and knew the DHS system inside and out.  Ours was a more complicated case but with Rob's guidance and instructions and Sheila's review of the documents that were required for the DHS application, we were able to get the home care assistance in a timely manner and at the same time protect assets in a manner that was acceptable to DHS.  There's no way I could have navigated the application on my own.
During preparation of the application and afterwards, in fact to this day, there were and still are questions related to the home care assistance approval.  In all cases, questions have been addressed in a timely manner and within the scope of the original contract fee.
I also feel that Rob and Sheila understand the challenges that a caregiver for a loved one has and the importance of providing some home care assistance to support the family caregiver.
All in all, we made a good decision to work with Rob and his team.
Greg Gemgnani
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Maryellen 
 
2 September 2024
 
 
  
My experience was very positive.  Navigating the Eldercare world for the first time meant "We didn't know what we didn't know".  Rob and his staff took the worry out of it for us as we dealt with Mom's failing memory and the decisions we faced as a result.  The were a phone call or email away to answer our questions and give expert advice.

Caring for an aging parent is difficult, but the needs of a parent who suffers from Alzheimer's/Dementia adds another emotional layer to the situation.  Retaining Slutsky Elder Law to advise us was the best decision we made.  I wanted the peace of mind to know that someone was working on behalf of my family and my Mom for her to get the care she needed and deserved.  I highly recommend this firm, they are good at what they do!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Maryellen A. 
 
2 September 2024
 
 
 Verified 
I highly recommend Slutsky Elder Law.  Having Rob and his staff available to us gave us peace of mind and we were able to focus on our family's needs.  Rob and his staff are understanding, professional and a pleasure to work with.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 EllieDol Dolata 
 
7 April 2024
 
 
  
I would love to add a 6th Star. He reassured me from the first hello. He helped me apply for Medicaid for my spouse, It went smoothly with his knowledgeable staff and clarity of conversation. I felt able to email or call at any time without feeling dumb. He saved me significant monies and many worries. Navigating the process would have been slow and complicated. They made it easy and I would recommend him in a heartbeat for any "elder" issues.  Great guy!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Trustindex rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 59 reviews