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Kathleen M. Martin CELA

O'Donnell Weiss & Mattei PC

Kathleen M. Martin CELA

O'Donnell Weiss & Mattei PC

Kathleen M. Martin CELA

O'Donnell Weiss & Mattei PC

Kathleen M. Martin, CELA*

  • kmartin@owmlaw.com
  • (610) 323-2800 ext. 120

In my nursing career, I approached health care holistically, in that true health requires the coordination of medical care with the patient's economic issues, interpersonal relationships, and sometimes, spiritual values. It is my feeling that elder law is a continuation of the holistic medical model, by also incorporating legal issues with traditional health care issues. As we age, there are issues that impact our ability to age gracefully with dignity. We at O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C. are able to provide a comprehensive approach to maintain individuals' hopes and expectations, and improve their lives as they age.

*Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Areas of Practice:

  • Elder Law
  • Estate Planning and Administration
  • Admitted to Practice
  • Pennsylvania, 2002

Education:

  • Estate Planning Certificate, Graduate Tax, Villanova University School of Law, 2004
  • Widener University School of Law Health Institute, Certificate, 2002
  • Widener University School of Law, 2002, JD
  • Kutztown University, 1997, BS in Nursing
  • Gwynedd-Mercy College, 1972, AD in Nursing

In the News:

Kathleen M. Martin, Esquire Named 2102 "Rising Star" by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Magazine and www.superlawyers.com.

Certifications:

Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations:

  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Member
  • Montgomery County Bar Association, Elder Law Committee
  • PA Bar Association (PBA) Elder Law Section, Council Member
  • American Bar Association
  • PA Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA), Member
  • Community Activities and Memberships
  • YWCA Tri-County Area in Pottstown
  • Costumer, W.C. Henderson High School Musical
  • PA Bar Institute (PBI) Presenter
  • Regular columnist for The Mercury - please visit OWM Law's Publications page to view Legal Ease articles

Prior Experience:

  • Registered Nurse, Abington Memorial Hospital
  • Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
  • Registered Nurse, Certified in Home Health Care
  • Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown and Vicinity, 13 years as field nurse, quality assurance and Nursing Supervisor

Authored

Crisis in American Healthcare: How Will the Medicare Eligible Population Pay for Prescription Drugs? 6 Holy Cross Journal of Law and Public Policy 69 (2001).

Firm Description

Our Diverse Strengths Are Your Resources:

OWM Law has been serving clients in Pottstown, Phoenixville and throughout Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties since 1955. We have fully-staffed offices in both Pottstown and Phoenixville, and the legal team at O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C. is focused on you and your needs.  By the time you make the call for legal help, you are probably in need of urgent, fact-based attention, looking for a professional, confident attorney associated with a well-staffed law firm. The lawyers at OWM Law will navigate you through the complexities of your situation with a goal toward achieving the best possible results for you. The successful resolution of each case begins with our commitment to open communication and a knowledge-based team approach to your case.  We strive to utilize the latest available technology while endeavoring to develop and maintain personal relationships with our clients and provide individualized service. Your call to OWM Law will be met with personable, professional staff and a prompt response from one of our attorneys. 

Client Service:

In order to provide clients with counsel and service from a dedicated group of lawyers, paraprofessionals and other members of our staff—all trained in a particular area of law, O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei is organized internally into 9 client service teams made up by the lawyers and staff who practice in the particular areas.  By developing well-coordinated teams, we are able to handle complex transactions providing the solutions our clients need and want on a daily basis.

Hours

Day From To
Monday 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Cost

What Is an Elder Law Attorney?

Main Office

41 E. High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464

347 Bridge Street
Suite 200
Phoenixville, PA 19460

On the web

View Firm Website


Medicaid 101
What Medicaid Covers

In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.

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How to Qualify for Medicaid

To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.

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Medicaid’s Protections for Spouses

Spouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.

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What Medicaid Covers

In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.

READ MORE
How to Qualify for Medicaid

To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.

READ MORE
Medicaid’s Protections for Spouses

Spouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.

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Medicaid Planning Strategies

Careful planning for potentially devastating long-term care costs can help protect your estate, whether for your spouse or for your children.

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Estate Recovery: Can Medicaid Take My House After I’m Gone?

If steps aren't taken to protect the Medicaid recipient's house from the state’s attempts to recover benefits paid, the house may need to be sold.

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Help Qualifying and Paying for Medicaid, Or Avoiding Nursing Home Care

There are ways to handle excess income or assets and still qualify for Medicaid long-term care, and programs that deliver care at home rather than in a nursing home.

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Are Adult Children Responsible for Their Parents’ Care?

Most states have laws on the books making adult children responsible if their parents can't afford to take care of themselves.

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Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid is a highly technical and complex process, and bad advice can actually make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.

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Alternatives to Medicaid

Medicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. For those who can afford it and who can qualify for coverage, long-term care insurance is the best alternative to Medicaid.

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ElderLaw 101
Estate Planning

Distinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.

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Grandchildren

Learn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.

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Guardianship/Conservatorship

Understand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.

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Health Care Decisions

We need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

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Estate Planning

Distinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.

READ MORE
Grandchildren

Learn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.

READ MORE
Guardianship/Conservatorship

Understand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.

READ MORE
Health Care Decisions

We need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

READ MORE
Long-Term Care Insurance

Understand the ins and outs of insurance to cover the high cost of nursing home care, including when to buy it, how much to buy, and which spouse should get the coverage.

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Medicare

Learn who qualifies for Medicare, what the program covers, all about Medicare Advantage, and how to supplement Medicare’s coverage.

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Retirement Planning

We explain the five phases of retirement planning, the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA, types of investments, asset diversification, the required minimum distribution rules, and more.

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Senior Living

Find out how to choose a nursing home or assisted living facility, when to fight a discharge, the rights of nursing home residents, all about reverse mortgages, and more.

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Social Security

Get a solid grounding in Social Security, including who is eligible, how to apply, spousal benefits, the taxation of benefits, how work affects payments, and SSDI and SSI.

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Special Needs Planning

Learn how a special needs trust can preserve assets for a person with disabilities without jeopardizing Medicaid and SSI, and how to plan for when caregivers are gone.

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Veterans Benefits

Explore benefits for older veterans, including the VA’s disability pension benefit, aid and attendance, and long-term care coverage for veterans and surviving spouses.

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