Elder Law

Elder Law

We are advocates for both the elderly and their loved ones. Most elder law attorneys handle a wide range of legal matters affecting an older or disabled person, including issues related to health care, long term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and other important matters.

While the practice area of “Elder Law” is broad, in many ways, elder law attorneys are "specialists" because of their focus on the needs of older adults, which may be significantly different and more specialized than the needs of younger adults. Not only can we handle important financial and estate planning matters, we also take care of day-to-day issues affecting the actual care of seniors, such as assisted living and life planning.

In addition, elder law attorneys are often more equipped to handle the sensitive emotional and physical needs of older or disabled adults, and are therefore able to handle a variety of challenging situations.

We can help with any of the following:

· Discuss the importance of wills and estate planning, including planning for a minor or adult with special needs, probate proceedings, and other matters.

· Create a durable power of attorney.

· Provide help with health care and planning, including long term care options, patient rights, Medicare, and health care power of attorney.

· Financial representation: financial planning (including durable financial power of attorney), housing opportunities and planning, income, estate, and gift tax matters.

· Guardianship: help with the selection and appointment of a legal guardian.

· Help locate long term care facilities and manage assisted living cost.

· Explain nursing home resident rights and help file nursing home claims.

· Draft a living will or other advance directives, including a durable power of attorney and long-term planning documents.

As the name of this important practice area implies, this is an area of law that addresses the legal needs of elderly people, but it is more than that. At our firm, we use the term to include anyone with a disability as well. We also include healthy clients who have been fortunate enough to reach retirement earlier in life. Our practice includes the development of strategies for retirement benefits, planning your estate, health care, and many other issues which are really “life-events.” It is the practice of protecting family and personal matters. We take the same approach here as in our other practice areas.