Seminar to answer questions about estate planning

For those who may be concerned with their own estate planning or for the well being of elderly family members, an estate planning and probate seminar provides an opportunity to answer questions and address concerns. Amherst Law Director Tony Pecora and his law firm O’Toole McLaughlin Dooley & Percora, Co. LPA, are hosting the seminar for the third time from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 16 at Main Street Amherst, 255 Park Ave. in Amherst. Pecora said the purpose of the seminar is to provide the public with a free event that answers frequently-asked questions at the law firm. “The benefits to having (working with the law firm) is I get to work with great people who have a lot of good insight and knowledge and who can provide beneficial answers to commonly asked questions,” he said. From estate planning, probate, estate and gift taxes, wills, trusts, Medicaid and Medicare and preparing those entering into nursing homes or other independent living care, Pecora said the seminar will touch on topics to better equip residents in planning their estate. Attorneys Russel T. McLaughlin and Bernadette Matheson will discuss basic estate planning methods and how to choose people to be involved in the process as a part of the seminar. Lorain County Probate Court Judge James T. Walther is the seminar’s guest speaker and will discuss the duties and role of a probate court. “He’s a great asset to the community and loves participating in these type of events,” Pecora said. The seminar is most helpful to those older than 50 years of age and people raising families who are helping their parents transition into assisted living or are generally concerned for their parents’ well being, he said. “There is such a wide and diverse area of law and wide ranges of estate planning,” Pecora said. “(The seminar’s) really made for any age, for anyone who has questions on estate planning.”