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Spring Forward Into Action: Why This Is the Season to Get Your Estate Plan in Order
Every spring, we set our clocks forward and reclaim an extra hour of evening light. It’ s a small ritual, but one with a powerful message: time moves forward, whether we’ re ready or not. This March and April, we invite you to use that same momentum to do something meaningful— not just for yourself, but for the people you love. Spring forward into the one conversation most families keep putting off: estate planning.
The Time Change We Don’ t Talk About
Daylight Saving Time reminds us that schedules and routines can shift in an instant. Estate planning is about preparing for a different kind of time change— one that comes not on a Sunday morning in March, but when illness, incapacity, or loss arrives unannounced. When that moment comes, having a plan means your family won’ t have to navigate an already painful situation without a roadmap, and with the right guidance, it can be a straightforward and empowering process.
Brain Health Awareness and the Urgency of Planning Now
March and April are recognized months for Alzheimer’ s and brain health awareness— causes central to estate planning and elder law. An estimated 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’ s disease, a number expected to nearly double by 2060. For many of those families, the legal and financial consequences of cognitive decline were never planned for.
Here is the point that we cannot stress enough: once a person loses legal capacity— whether due to age, Alzheimer’ s, dementia, a stroke, or another condition— it is too late to sign key planning documents. Financial and Health Care Powers of Attorney, an advance directive and a Will or Trust— all require mental capacity at the time of signing. Waiting because you don’ t want to think about it or“ until things get worse” is almost always waiting too long.
Essential Documents Every Adult Needs
Whether you are 18 or 88, these documents form the foundation of a sound plan:
Durable Financial Power of Attorney: Designates a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. Without it, a family member may need to go to court to obtain guardianship— an expensive and emotionally draining process.
Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney: Appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself.
Living Will / Advance Directive: Expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life care, sparing loved ones from having to guess— or disagree— about what you would have wanted.
Will or Trust: Ensures your assets pass to the people and causes you care about, rather than according to a state formula that may not reflect your wishes.
Elder Law Planning: Protecting Your Loved Ones and the Legacy You’ ve Built
Estate planning and elder law intersect deeply around Medicaid and long-term care. Nursing home or memory care can quickly exceed $ 150,000 per year, and without proactive planning, a lifetime of savings can be depleted. Zacharia Brown & Bratkovich helps families protect assets, qualify for benefits, and ensure a loved one’ s care needs are met. Crucially, Medicaid planning requires time to plan and implement properly— another reason why acting now matters so much.
Don’ t Let Another Season Pass Without a Plan
Conversations about death, disability, and aging can feel uncomfortable. However, families who plan ahead are not just legally protected- they are emotionally protected. They’ ve had these important conversations, and they know what their loved ones want. This spring, as you set your clocks forward, take one more step: call 724.942.6200 to schedule a consultation with the estate planning and elder law team at Zacharia Brown & Bratkovich. Whether you’ re starting from scratch, updating an existing plan, or navigating a loved one’ s diagnosis, we’ re here to help.
Time moves forward. Your plan should too.
This Industry Insight was written by Justin Ellis. Justin is a Senior Associate Attorney at Zacharia Brown & Bratkovich and counsels clients on estate and asset protection planning, Medicaid eligibility for long term care, Veterans’ benefits eligibility, and estate administration. He also represents clients in Orphans’ Court litigation, including guardianship proceedings for incapacitated adults. Pittsburgh-area office locations include McMurray and Murrysville / Delmont.
Contact information – Phone: 724.942.6200 Website: zacbrownlaw. com • E-mail: jellis @ zacbrownlaw. com
NORTH ALLEGHENY | SPRING 2026 15