Legal Law

Elder Law Attorneys Can Help Navigate Elder Issues

Senior Lawyers help elderly or disabled clients with legal issues specific to their stage of life. They help navigate complicated health issues, long-term care options, retirement, estate planning, and much more. While a general practice attorney may have some insight into the needs of seniors, an experienced and compassionate senior law attorney is the most trusted choice.

The following are some examples of services that elder law attorneys provide:

Financial planning and asset preservation

No matter the value of your cash or assets, you don’t want to see a penny go to creditors, the government or falsified nursing home bills. Many prefer to be able to choose how assets are distributed after death. A qualified law firm can help you decide on the best asset preservation strategies for your financial situation and long-term goals. Some things you will discuss include:

– Avoid succession expenses
– Minimize income, estate and gift taxes
– Protection against sentences
– Long-term care cost planning

Wills and Trusts

Wills and trusts serve different purposes when it comes to planning your estate. Both can be useful, but you’ll need to understand the pros and cons of each. Key points include:

– A will takes effect after your death, while a trust takes effect at the time of creation.
– A will goes through succession, which means that a court will supervise the process. A trust does not go through probate. Not involving the court allows the terms of the trust to remain private while a will is a public document.
– A trust allows you to designate assets and property to others before your death, which can be useful for planning for illness or saving on taxes.
– A will can name a guardian for minor children and also include provisions for funeral arrangements.

Your attorney can help you determine if one or both documents are appropriate for your situation.

Medical care and long-term care

No one wants to think about the possibility of getting sick or disabled as they age, but it’s wise to plan ahead. If you are unable to make your own medical decisions, you will want to have a plan that spells out your health care wishes. Laws may vary by state, but some basic health-related instruments you may want to discuss with elder attorneys include:

– Health Care Proxy/Power of Attorney: This document designates someone with the legal authority to communicate a person’s medical treatment instructions. This is especially important if there is a possibility that family members may not agree on treatment options in extreme situations.

– Advance Directives: This can be included with a Health Care Proxy or be an entirely separate document. Detail the specific type of attention the customer would like. Some examples are the person’s wishes regarding life support if in a coma or vegetative state and the instructions in the Do Not Resuscitate (DNO) documents.

– Living Wills: This document includes instructions if someone becomes terminally ill or enters a permanent vegetative state and designates when life-sustaining treatments must be stopped. It is different from a health care power of attorney, in that a living asset only takes effect when the person is completely incapacitated.

These are just a few of the many emotional and challenging areas that attorneys for the elderly can guide you through. Having plans in place for your senior year means you can rest easy knowing your wishes will be honored.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *