Michelle C. Berk
Top rated Elder Law attorney in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Law Offices of Michelle C. Berk
Practice Areas: Elder Law, Estate Planning & Probate, Social Security Disability
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 1981
Education: Widener University – Delaware Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2024 Law Offices of Michelle C. Berk
1300 Virginia DriveSuite 325A
Fort Washington, PA 19034 Phone: 215-793-4800 Email: Michelle C. Berk Visit website
Details
The Law Offices of Michelle C. Berk, P.C. is an Elder Law, Estate planning and administration and Special Needs planning Law practice. We represent seniors, disabled individuals and their families in planning for their future while protecting and preserving assets. Whether living at home or in a facility, we can make house calls to meet with you to write Powers of Attorney, Wills and all documents needed for you and your family, wherever and whenever needed. We fiercely advocate to obtain Medicaid, VA, government benefits and care for you and your loved ones. We will represent you in related matters including, but not limited to, Guardianship, Disabilities, Special Needs Trusts, Estates and Probate.
First Admitted: 1981
Professional Webpage: http://berkelderlaw.com/about.asp
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Estate Practice Certification from PA Bar Institute., 2012
- I led a Will Clinic for low income Seniors where volunteers wrote Wills, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills. The seniors were very appreciative. This was the highlight of my year, that I could be of service to the community. , 2021
- Montgomery Bar Foundation Certificate , 2019
- I received the AVVO Superb Rated Lawyer Rating., 2015
- I was inducted and certified into the Activist Lawyers Task Force of the Israel Law Center, 2019
- I received a Certificate from the Guardianship Tracking System for Guardians, 2018
- Accredited attorney for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the last 10 years., 2019
- Montgomery County Board of Elections Certification, 2019
Honors/Awards:
- Peer group award and superb rating awarded by AVVO., Superb Rated Attorney, AVVO, 2015
- Awesome attorney award in publication, Awesome Attorney, Suburban Life, 2012
Educational Background:
- Guardianship Training Certificate, 2018
Videos:
- Video presentation and author of written materials for the Visiting Nurse Association. , Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect, Nurses, Caregivers, Professionals, Seniors, 2019
- Podcast on The Injury Justice Radio Show Radio show , Elder Law Isssues for Seniors and their families, Attorneys, Financial Planners, And Professional Caregivers To Seniors And Their Families, 2019
- Podcast on How to Settle an Estate, How to Settle an Estate, 2019
- This podcast was recorded and produced for financial planners and seniors and families facing the challenges of special needs planning., Special Needs Planning, Financial Planners, Attorneys, Professionals Serving Seniors, 2019
- This pod cast was recorded for attorneys, financial planners and other professionals serving seniors and their families to aid in planning for their long term care needs., Planning for Long Term Care, Senior Citizens, Attorneys, And Financial Planners For Seniors, 2019
- This podcast was recorded for financial planners to assist their senior clients and their families to plan for the future., What Estate Planning Documents do we need, Financial Planners For Seniors And Their Families, 2019
Transactions:
- Drafting of contracts for care, for the sale of real estate, and involving nursing home planning, admissions and negotiations involving same. I am involved in multiparty complex agreements involving the deeding and transfer and subsequent sale of real estate for accomplishing nursiing home and Medicaid planning involving multiple clients and family members. I am also involved in a lot of Deed preparation and transfers involving financing and variances, deed restrictions and complex real estate partition actions. I am a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners and draft Trusts for Special Needs planning. , 2019
- I presented, met with and answered questions, and gave away the Elder Law Handbooks I co-author and edit at senior fairs in the region., 2021
Representative Clients:
- Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). I present and educate on Legal issues to their members and board membersand serve on their Board., 2019
- Montgomery County and Ambler Senior Adult Activity Center, religous organizations, senior groups, caregiver support groups, professional organizations- I am a frequent presenter on elder law at Senior Fairs and presentations to the community. , 2019
- I present on Elder Law issues at many long term care facilities for staff, residents and other professionals., 2019
- I serve as an expert witness for nursing homes, residents and other parties in litigation involving Medicaid and contested guardianship actions. , 2019
- I am an Alzheimer's Association Champion and presenter and advocate., 2019
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Appointed to Board of Montgomery County Senior Adult Activity Center., 2020
- As Chair of the Elder Law Committee, I sponsored a scholarship for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association Summer Internship Program. The Scholarship sponsored was in memory of a dearly departed member of the Elder Law Committee. The recipient was a law student who was very appreciative of this opportunity and is considering a career in Elder Law also. , 2021
- Alzheimer's Association Champion and presenter to Caregiver Support Groups., 2019
- Montgomery County Senior Aging and Activities Center (SAAC) Partner and supporter, 2020
- Vising Nurse Association (VNA) lecturer to staff and members., 2019
- Abington Jefferson Health Care System presenter to Caregiver Support groups and staff., 2019
- Volunteer attorney to the Senior Help Line of the Senior Law Center providing legal advice and emergency legal advocay, and intervention, counseling, support, guidance, information and referral services and advice to elders. , 2019
- Montgomery County Centenarians Celebration volunteer and participant and donates the Elder Law Handbooks she co-authors and co-edits to this event annually., 2019
- Senior and health fair speaker, presenter, exhibitor and volunteer. , 2019
- Aging at Home Community Network. I am a board member and frequent presenter on legal issues important to seniors., 2019
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Successful outcome in contested Guardianship litigation in Orphans' Court, 2020
- For many prior years I have achieved favorable outcomes in contested guardianship cases on behalf of my clients both as an advocate and also as an expert witness. , 2019
- I also obtain successful verdicts and settlements from the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals in Appeals in Medicaid and Veterans Affairs cases for my clients in difficult cases involving spouses and complex issues. , 2019
- I have been involved as an expert on elder law and Medicaid planning in reported cases. , 2019
- For many years I was the instructor of Elder Law for the Montgomery Mediation Center where I was also a Board Member. As a result of my work, I was involved in many successful settlements and mediations between family members in contested estate and Elder law matters., 2019
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Author of articles on Elder Law in Penn's Village newsletters, 2020
- Frequent featured guest on the Injury Justice Radio Show on Philadelphia's premier African-American talk radio station., 2020
- Presenter on Elder Law to Penn Asian EverGreen Center and to Korean Community with translator, 2019
- I organized and spearheaded a presentation by the Montgomery Bar Accociation in my capacity as a leader of the Elder Law Committee together with the Office of Chief Counsel, Governor's Office of General Counsel, State Representative Matthew Bradford and the Department of Human Services Representatives to improve the delivery of MA-Long Term Care Benefits in the County Assistance Offices in Pa. I was invited by the Pa. Association of Elder Law Attorneys to present at their Annual Meeting on the accomplishment and successes of that cooperative venture. , 2019
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Article about the 7th Annual Elder Justice Conference which was held on June 17, 2022, both virtually and inperson, after a two-year hiatus at the Villanova Conference Center. The theme of this year’s conference was “Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship.” , Author, Elder Access to Justice Roundtable Conference: "Oops! I Did It Again": Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship, PA Bar Association, 2022
- An article I wrote detailing the 7th Annual Elder Justice Conference which was held on June 17, 2022, both virtually and in person, after a two-year hiatus at the Villanova Conference Center. The theme of this year’s conference was “Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship.”, Author, Elder Access to Justice Roundtable Conference: "Oops! I Did It Again": Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship, Montgomery Bar Association, 2022
- This Elder Law Handbook I co-author and edit is widely-recognized as The go-to resource for area seniors and their caretakers. It provides up to date information concerning senior., Co-Author and Co-Editor, Montgomery County Elder Law Handbook, Legal, Financial, Community Service Organizations, 2021
- Presentation on Elder Law issues., Lecturer and Presenter, Pan Asian Senior Services Association (PASSI), Evergreen Senior Center, Senior Service Organizations And Residents, 2019
- Informational article for the Philadelphia Senior Community newspaper, Author, HEALTHCARE POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND LIVING WILLS, Penn's Village Village View Newspaper, 2020
- Presentation on new Guardianship law and practice, presenter and planner, Update on Guardianship Law- Role of Counsel for the Alleged Incapacitated Person, Montgomery Bar Association, Elder Law Attorneys, Geriatric Care Managers, Elder Care Professionals, 2019
- Presentation with Department of Human Services Legal Counsel and professionals to the Montgomery Bar Association on updates in the law., presenter and planner, Update on Medicaid Law, Montgomery Bar Assocation, Elder Law Attorneys And Professionals Serving Seniors, 2019
- The Montgomery County Elder Law Handbook provides information about legal issues faced by Pennsylvania's older residents and their caregivers. It helps them navigate through issues onvolving government benefits, to maintain personal autonomy, minimize costs, and protect against preditors preying on seniors. Michelle C. Berk has been the Co-Author and Co-Editor continuously since the Handbook's inception in 2001 on all subsequent updates and publications. , Co-Author and Co-Editor, Montgomery County Elder Law Handbook, Elder Law, 2019
- THE ELDER LAW REPORT, INCLUDING SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNINGJANUARY 2019 VA BENEFITS PRACTICE TIPS FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS’ SUMMIT, author, Veterans Affairs Practice Tips, Elde Law Report, Veterans Affairs, Attorneys, 2019
- The Guide covers many of the legal issues relating to Pennsylvania's senior citizents. This Guide offers basic information, points out various services and navigates how to access them and outlines areas requiring specialized legal advice for seniors and provides up to date facts and figures on health and legal issues critical to seniors and their caregivers. Michelle C. Berk has been the Author and Editor continuously since the Handbook's inception in 2002 and on all subsequent updates and publications. , Author and Editor, A Guide to Legal Issues for PA Senior Citizens, PA Bar Association and PA Bar Insurance and Trust Fund, Elder Law, 2017
- Michelle C. Berk wrote on Incapacitated Persons Practice and contributed to the Manual., Co-author, Montgomery Bar Association Civil Practice Manual, Montgomery County Bar Association, Attorneys, 2019
- Michelle C. Berk wrote this section and presented at the 20th Annual Elder Law Institute in Harrisburg, PA., Author and Presenter, Essential Elder Law Documents, Pa. Bar Institute, Elder Law Institute, 2017
- Presentation to PAELA on my iniative to reform and restructure the CAO and identify issue and problems and how to work with the office and attorneys to improve performance. , Presenter, Navigating the Office of County Assistance, Pa. Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA), Pa. Association Of Elder Law Attorneys, 2016
- I have written various articles and contributions to the Sidebar on profiles on Judges and articles on updates on law including but limited to new Power of Attorney law, Divorce and Powers of Attorney and Elder law for the past 5 years., Author, Update on Divorce and Elder law, Profiles of Judge Austin, the newest member of the Orphans' Court Bench, Montgomery County Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association Lawyers, 2016
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Montgomery Bar Association Elder Law Committee Chair , 2023
- Montgomery Bar Association Elder Law Committee Chair , 2022
- Montgomery Bar Foundation member, 2019
- I am a member of the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association, 2019
- Director of Montgomery Bar Association 2012-2014, Co-Chair Elder Law Section of Bar Association 2007-Present, Montgomery Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, Israel Law Center Activist Lawyer's Task Force, Member: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Pennsylvania Academy of Elder Lawyers, Academy of Special Needs Planners, National Association of Social Security Claimants Representative, Women's Law Committee, Solo Law Practice Committee, Equal Access to Justice Round Table and I am on the Senior Citizens Services Advisory Board., 2019
- I am a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners., 2019
- Member of the Probate, Tax and Estate Committee of the Montgomery County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. , 2019
- Montgomery Bar Association Elder Law Committee Chair. , 2019
Industry Groups:
- Financial Planners
- home health care agencies
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Special Needs Planners
Office location for Michelle C. Berk
1300 Virginia Drive
Suite 325A
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Selections
5 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2024