An elder care law attorney can help you protect your next stage of life. But what exactly does that mean?
Elder law covers many legal matters, from estate planning strategies to ensure your wishes are met after death to elder abuse protection and long-term care planning. An attorney can help you navigate challenges and find peace of mind knowing you have support as you age.
Understanding Elder Law
Elder law helps seniors and their loved ones through various legal and financial matters. They ensure seniors’ rights are protected, their wishes are respected, and their healthcare needs are managed.
7 Ways an Elder Care Law Attorney Can Help
An elder care law attorney can face challenges alongside seniors and their loved ones, addressing immediate and long-term needs with specialized legal expertise. Let’s look at some key services an attorney provides.
1. Estate Planning
An elder care law attorney can assist you through estate planning to ensure your assets will be distributed according to your wishes and your healthcare decisions will be respected if you become incapacitated. Estate planning can include:
- Drafting wills and trusts
- Choosing powers of attorney for healthcare or financial obligations
- Preparing advance healthcare directives
2. Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning
Medicaid and long-term planning can get complicated quickly. An attorney can help you make financial decisions to meet eligibility requirements and preserve your assets. Working with an experienced attorney can make the process more manageable (and less stressful).
3. Guardianship and Conservatorship
An elder care law attorney can help you establish guardianship or conservatorship if a loved one cannot make decisions due to health complications. It’s a legal process to ensure a trusted person handles the individual’s financial matters.
4. Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is a serious concern. An attorney can guide you or a loved one in the following ways:
- Recognizing signs of physical, emotional, or financial abuse
- Taking legal action to protect the elderly person
- Advising on ways to prevent future abuse or neglect
5. Special Needs Planning
A special needs trust can ensure long-term care and financial security for seniors with disabilities. An attorney can also advise on public benefits and programs available for people with disabilities.
6. Retirement and Financial Planning
When working with an elder law attorney, seniors can expect help managing their retirement planning and accounts, tax planning, social security benefits, and other government assistance programs.
7. Probate and Estate Administration
After a loved one passes away, an attorney can help you and your family manage the probate process and administering estates, including filing documents with the court, managing asset distribution, and resolving disputes with heirs or beneficiaries.
How to Find an Elder Law Attorney Near You
A qualified elder care law attorney can provide personalized legal advice and support to help you manage the challenges of aging and elder care. You can search for an attorney online, ask for referrals, or contact your local senior center for resources and recommendations.
An attorney may offer a free consultation to discuss your needs. Ask questions to evaluate their credentials and ensure they have experience with your specific situation. Lastly, you can read online reviews and testimonials to help narrow your search and find the best attorney for you or your family.
The Elder Law Attorneys at Auld Brothers
At Auld Brothers, we are elder care law attorneys who believe in putting family first. We can help you or a loved one navigate Pennsylvania state or federal laws affecting your long-term plans. Together, we’ll make the right decisions so you can find peace of mind.
Contact us today to learn more about our legal services.