Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, 8981 Norwin Avenue # 20, North Huntingdon, PA (2026)

06/16/2026

New Medicaid Work Requirements Are Coming: What Pennsylvanians Should Know Before 2027

A major federal change is coming to Medicaid, and it's important to understand. On June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new rule putting "community engagement" or work requirements into effect for many adults on Medicaid.

Beginning January 1, 2027, certain adults ages 19 to 64 in the Medicaid expansion group will need to show at least 80 hours per month of work, school, job training, or volunteering to keep their coverage. Because Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid, this will affect many people right here in our communities.

Here's what matters most for families: many people with disabilities are exempt (including those who receive SSI or SSDI, are medically frail, are caregivers, or have a serious medical condition) but the exemptions are not always automatic. You may need to provide documentation to the state to prove you qualify. Something as small as a missed letter or a lost form could mean losing coverage you're entitled to keep.

The good news is there is still time to prepare, and a public comment period is open through July 31, 2026.

The American Association of People with Disabilities has published a clear, plain-language FAQ that explains who is affected, who may be exempt, and how to get ready:
https://www.aapd.com/medicaid-work-requirements-faq/

If you or a loved one relies on Medicaid for long-term care, Home and Community-Based Services, or other supports, let's talk about how these changes may affect your planning.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

06/09/2026

Stuck With a Timeshare You Don’t Use? How to Sell It Responsibly

If maintenance fees are piling up and your weeks/points are sitting unused, you’re not alone. Selling a timeshare can feel overwhelming, but here are trusted owner-friendly platforms to list it yourself:

1. https://www.go-koala.com/ – Great for rentals (and has solid selling resources)
2. https://www.redweek.com/ – One of the biggest & most reputable marketplaces for sales & rentals
3. https://tug2.net/ (Timeshare Users Group) – Long-running owner community with a busy marketplace. Small join fee (~$15) may apply for full access.

These sites connect you directly with buyers/renters and help you avoid shady “exit” companies that charge big upfront fees.

Do your homework, price realistically, and consider renting it out short-term while you sell. Always verify details on the sites and check your time share’s policies.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

06/02/2026

Attorney Maureen Kroll Named Zone 6 Governor of the Pennsylvania Bar Association

The Pennsylvania Bar Association recently concluded its 2026 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, welcoming the new 2026–27 Board of Governors. The Board, led by incoming President James R. Antonino of Westmoreland County, is a statewide leadership team drawn from every region of the commonwealth and charged with strengthening the legal profession and expanding access to justice for all Pennsylvanians.

Attorney Maureen Kroll has been named Zone 6 Governor, representing Westmoreland County on the board.

Maureen brings a distinctive perspective to the role. Before practicing law, she served as an ICU nurse and director of nursing. It’s a background that continues to shape her client-centered approach to elder law, estate planning, and family law here in our community.

As Zone 6 Governor, she is especially committed to mentoring attorneys in her zone who aspire to leadership roles.

For Maureen, the value of the PBA is simple: it provides the sense of a strong team standing behind her solo practice and, by extension, behind the clients and families she serves.

Please join us in congratulating Maureen on this well-earned recognition and her continued service to the profession and to Westmoreland County.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

05/26/2026

PA ABLE Accounts: Tax-Free Savings for Disabilities

ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money tax-free. Disability must have started before age 46 (expanded in 2026). Save up to $20,000 yearly. Use it for housing, therapy, and more. Up to $100,000 does not affect SSI; Medicaid is generally not impacted. Check your eligibility and learn more at https://www.paable.gov/
ABLE accounts help build independence and improve quality of life for people with disabilities.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

05/19/2026

Grandparent Visitation: Navigating PA's Revised Kinship Expansions
In Pennsylvania, the law may make it easier for grandparents to get custody. This applies when parents struggle with addiction or other substance abuse problems. Some home studies are now waived. An attorney can ensure that your petition prioritizes the child’s welfare. These cases do not automatically sever parental rights, which is a separate and serious legal matter.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

05/12/2026

Bankruptcy Exemptions: Shielding Assets in Pennsylvania

Chapter 7 bankruptcy can help protect key assets in Pennsylvania through state or federal exemptions. Retirement accounts (such as 401(k)s and IRAs) generally receive strong protection. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often an effective way to catch up on mortgage arrears and stop foreclosure while keeping your home.

Avoid making large asset transfers right before filing, as they can create serious problems with your case. Filing bankruptcy will initially hurt your credit score, but many people see their scores recover and even improve over time with responsible financial habits.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

05/05/2026

Fall Injuries: Preserve Evidence When Accidents Happen

A slip-and-fall can change your life in seconds. A wet grocery aisle, poorly lit stairs, a broken stair tread. In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and what you do in the first hours and days afterward often determines whether your case succeeds.

Property owners may have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe, inspect for hazards, and warn visitors about dangers they know (or reasonably should know) exist.

When they fall short and someone is hurt, evidence is what tells the story, but it can disappear fast. Owners frequently mop up spills, repair broken handrails, or replace torn carpet within hours of an incident, sometimes before anyone has documented the original hazard.

To protect yourself, take these steps as soon as you safely can:

• Photograph the scene — Use your phone to take pictures of the hazard itself, your injuries, the lighting, and the surrounding conditions.
• Get witness names and phone numbers before people leave the area.
• Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel "okay." Concussions, back injuries, and soft-tissue damage often worsen over the days and weeks that follow. ER and follow-up records create the medical timeline your case will need.
• Save every bill, prescription receipt, and record of missed work or lost wages.

If you were injured on the job, report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and document what happened. You may also have a workers’ compensation claim, and in some cases a separate third-party claim may apply.

If you've been injured in a fall, don't wait. An attorney experienced in personal injury can be your best resource.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

04/28/2026

Prenups for Blended Families: PA's Disclosure Rules

Prenups require full financial disclosure of assets, debts, and income. This is especially important in blended families with children from prior relationships. Each person should have their own attorney to ensure the agreement is fair and voluntary. Both parties must sign without coercion.

Consider including provisions to protect assets for your children or stepchildren. Early planning helps safeguard what matters most. Prenups are about mutual protection and clarity, not distrust. They can help clarify separate property, spousal support expectations, and support your overall estate plan for stepchildren.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

04/21/2026

Big Win for PA Families! New Law Doubles Funeral Funds to $20K & Keeps Unclaimed Money Local

Recently, HB I 176 was signed into law, making two helpful changes to how money is handled after someone dies. It increases the amount of money from $10,000 to $20,000 that can be disbursed from a decedent's bank account to a spouse, any child, the father or mother, or any sister or brother — but only if the family provides a paid funeral bill from a licensed funeral director confirming that the funeral has been arranged and paid for.

This Act also makes another change: If officials file a sworn statement (called an affidavit) saying they did a thorough search and found no living family members at all, then any leftover money from the estate can be sent to a special local fund in the person’s town, school district, or county — instead of going into the state’s general fund. If no such local fund exists in that area, the money stays with the Commonwealth (the state).

These are significant achievements. Please contact my office if you have any questions. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

04/14/2026

April is National Social Security Month — Take a Few Minutes to Protect Your Future

The Social Security Administration has designated April as National Social Security Month, a time to highlight how the program supports retirees, people with disabilities, survivors, and families of disabled workers. Social Security is far more than a retirement check, and understanding your benefits is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your financial future.

SSA is spotlighting a different theme each week this April:

• April 6 — Go Digital: Create a personal my Social Security account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to check your earnings record, estimate future benefits, and manage your information online.
• April 13 — Guard Your Card: Learn how to protect your Social Security number from identity theft and scams. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/scam/ for warning signs and reporting tools.
• April 20 — Plan For Your Future: April is also National Financial Capability Month. Review your retirement estimates and financial wellness resources at https://www.ssa.gov/retirement/plan-for-retirement
• April 27 — Visit the SSA Website: Explore https://www.ssa.gov/ for benefits information, online applications, and publications.

Small steps this month — verifying your earnings history, safeguarding your card, or reviewing survivor and disability protections — can make a real difference later.

If you are caring for an aging parent, preparing for retirement, or navigating a disability or SSI claim, Social Security planning fits closely with estate planning, powers of attorney, and long-term care decisions. Should you require the help of an experienced attorney, I'm glad to assist you through these matters.

Contact Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law, for the help you need. Call me at 724-863-6770, or visit my website today: https://www.maureenkroll.com/

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

Maureen Kroll, Attorney at Law

06/16/2026

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