Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak

09/04/2026

Today, team members from Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak — Kristin, Alexis, Tara, and Kendall — were honored to be invited by ACAP (Adult Children of Aging Parents) to lead conference attendees through a Virtual Dementia Experience.

As a Certified Virtual Dementia Tour Trainer, Kristin led the group through this powerful, immersive experience designed to help participants better understand what it may feel like to live with dementia.

The Virtual Dementia Experience uses sensory-altering tools and realistic tasks to simulate some of the challenges a person living with dementia may encounter — including changes in vision, hearing, touch, balance, and communication.

Participants are asked to complete familiar activities while experiencing these simulated impairments, creating a firsthand glimpse into the confusion, frustration, and loss of independence that can accompany dementia.

It’s one thing to learn about dementia. It’s something entirely different to experience, even briefly, what the world may feel like through the eyes of someone living with it.

We’re grateful to ACAP for inviting our team to share this experience and for their continued commitment to educating and supporting families, caregivers, and professionals. When we understand what someone may be experiencing, we can respond with greater patience, compassion, and empathy 💜

09/04/2026

Estate planning can become especially complicated when a family is already navigating a move to assisted living, a hospitalization, a dementia diagnosis, or another major health change.

Facilities often find themselves supporting residents and families through these difficult transitions while also balancing family disagreements, questions about legal authority, healthcare decisions, financial concerns, and time-sensitive planning needs.

And while facility staff can provide valuable support and resources, they cannot step into the role of providing legal advice.

Our latest blog looks at why coordinating resident estate planning can be so challenging for senior living communities and why earlier communication and planning can make such an important difference.

**The challenge is rarely just the paperwork. It’s coordinating people, expectations, and important decisions at the same time.**

Read more:
https://www.paeldercounsel.com/how-can-we-help-you/elder-law-qa/435-what-makes-coordinating-resident-estate-planning-so-challenging-for-facilities

09/03/2026

When it comes to estate planning, a will is important — but it may only be one piece of the puzzle.

A comprehensive estate plan can also address who will make financial or healthcare decisions if you become unable to, how your assets should be protected, long-term care concerns, beneficiary designations, and the unique needs of your family.

The best estate planning service isn’t necessarily the one that simply creates a will. It’s one that looks at your entire situation and helps make sure the pieces of your plan work together.

Our latest blog explains what makes a will truly comprehensive, common estate planning mistakes to avoid, and when personalized planning may make sense.

**The goal isn’t just to create a document. It’s to create confidence in the plan you’re leaving behind.**

Read more:
https://www.paeldercounsel.com/how-can-we-help-you/elder-law-qa/437-what-is-the-best-estate-planning-service-for-comprehensive-wills

09/01/2026

Fall can feel a little like spring, especially when the weather can’t quite make up its mind 🍂🌼 One morning you’re reaching for a sweater, by afternoon you’re wondering why you wore it, and somehow we all just adjust.

Around our Williamsport office, we’ve noticed plenty of fall blooming flowers, and we’ve even had our first sightings of leaves beginning to change color. Small signs that a new season is already on its way.

For some people, that shift can feel uncomfortable. We may not be ready for shorter days, cooler weather, or a change in routine. For others, it’s exactly the change they’ve been waiting for. Crisp evenings, campfires, colorful leaves, cozy weekends, and a fresh rhythm.

That’s the thing about seasons. Each one asks something different of us, and each one has so much to offer.

We adjust to changing seasons more than we probably realize. Four times every year, the world around us changes a little, and eventually we find our way into the new normal.

Life has seasons, too. Some changes are welcome, some take more time to accept, and some arrive before we feel ready. But a new season doesn’t mean there’s less to look forward to. Sometimes it simply brings a different kind of beauty, a different pace, and new things to appreciate right where we are 💛

08/31/2026

Earlier this month, we enjoyed our second fireworks sponsorship game of the season with the Altoona Curve Baseball, and nearly two dozen of our staff and their families were also able to attend and enjoy a night at the ballpark. It's our first season as a Curve sponsor, and we're still a relatively small business, but there's a certain thrill that we can't imagine ever gets old whenever you see your commercial and logo on the big video board, whether it's at Peoples Natural Gas Field, or anywhere else.

It's been great to be a part of Curve, Pa. this season, and as we approach the third anniversary of the opening of our Altoona office, we are looking forward to and planning for several more years of serving and being involved in and with the Altoona and Blair County communities. Here's to many more, and Go Curve!

08/29/2026

Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming, but families in State College and Altoona have resources available to help 💜

From caregiver support groups and educational programs to community services, care consultations, and local aging resources, knowing where to turn can make the journey feel a little more manageable.

Our latest blog highlights dementia resources available throughout the State College and Altoona areas for individuals living with dementia and the people who care for them.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Read more:
https://www.paeldercounsel.com/how-can-we-help-you/elder-law-qa/442-dementia-resources-in-state-college-and-altoona-support-for-individuals-and-caregivers

08/28/2026

A parent’s dementia diagnosis can bring a lot of questions all at once 💜

Who will make decisions if they can’t? How will future care be paid for? Are their powers of attorney and estate planning documents up to date?

While a dementia diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a legal emergency, waiting until a crisis can make planning much more difficult. Early conversations may give your parent more opportunity to participate in decisions about their future.

Our latest blog explains when it may be time to speak with an elder law attorney and what families should consider after a dementia diagnosis.

Read more:
https://www.paeldercounsel.com/how-can-we-help-you/elder-law-qa/438-does-a-parent-s-dementia-diagnosis-mean-you-need-an-elder-law-attorney

08/28/2026

Earlier this week, Attorney Julie Steinbacher appeared on Studio 814 on WTAJ. Julie (wearing her purple top in support of the Alzheimer's Association- Greater PA Chapter) spoke a little bit about how she started the firm, what we do and why it's important to get your estate planning done, and also about the firm's inclusion on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list that was announced earlier this month.

Steinbacher, Goodall, and Yurchak helps plan for that second half of life and recently had the honor of being ranked 3728 on the 2026 INC. 5000 list! Join us as we congratulate them on this accompl…

08/26/2026

Can a trust protect your assets from lawsuits or creditors?

Sometimes — but it depends on the type of trust.

A revocable living trust is generally designed for estate planning, probate avoidance, and incapacity planning, not creditor protection. Certain irrevocable trusts may offer greater protection because ownership and control of the assets are structured differently.

Timing also matters. Asset protection planning is typically most effective before a lawsuit, creditor claim, or other legal problem arises.

Our latest blog explains what different trusts can and cannot do, how they may fit into a broader asset protection strategy, and common mistakes families should avoid.

Read more:
https://www.paeldercounsel.com/how-can-we-help-you/elder-law-qa/428-can-a-trust-protect-assets-from-lawsuits-or-creditors

08/25/2026

We spy Attorney Stacey Acri in the crowd, happily joining the Caring Hearts of Wyoming Valley in serving up some hydration to members of Kingston Aac through Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging earlier today.