Elder law attorneys are counselors for the elderly including their loved ones. Most lawyers who practice elder law are charged with a panoply of legal issues affecting an older or disabled individual, including matters linked to healthcare, long term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and other crucial related issues.
Elder Law Attorneys are Experts
In several ways, elder law attorneys are experts due to their focus on the needs of seniors or the aging population, which are always diverse and more streamlined than the needs of younger adults. Elder laws attorney can handle those crucial financial and estate planning matters, including day-to-day issues affecting the care of older adults, like assisted living and life planning.
Also, these professionals have what it takes to take care of sensitive emotional and physical needs of older or disabled seniors, and are thus able to handle sacral difficult issues plaguing these individuals.
Before you proceed to hire an elder law attorney, it is important you know what they are capable of. How can these professionals help you? What do they do? Or what are the most important issues they can help with?
Below, I have listed a few important issues these professionals can help you with.
Important issues an Elder Law Attorney can help with
Matters regarding elder law can be complicated. A little mistake or move can cause a lot of damage should you become incapacitated or if other unplanned issues should arise during your senior years.
An elder law attorney can help you plan ahead. In the event that you become incapacitated (mentally or physically), the plans put in place with the help of an elder law attorney will ensure that you and all that concerns you (business, etc.) are well taken care of.
Here are some of the important issues this professional can help you with.
- Help with accessing Medicaid
A competent elder law attorney is very conversant with matters regarding Medicaid. Thus, this professional can help you and your loved one on how to become eligible and apply for this healthcare benefit. An elder law attorney can also offer you valuable and detailed information regarding veteran’s benefits including extra government resources.
- Ensure that a durable power of attorney is set up
A durable power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual designate an agent who will be in charge of making crucial financial or legal decisions on his or her behalf. No doubt, a durable power of attorney is one legal document all seniors need to have. If you or an elderly loved one doesn’t have one, an elder law attorney can help you set up one.
However, in the event that you or an elderly loved one is already incapacitated and has no durable power of attorney, an elder law attorney can also be of help. This professional can start guardianship proceedings to allow you or another guardian handle the affairs of your loved one.
Aside from creating a durable power of attorney, an elder law attorney can also help you or an elderly loved one create other advance directives like a living will, a do-not resuscitate order, etc.
- Create a plan for long term care
As an elder law attorney is a proactive thinker, he or she can envision the type of financial and medical situation that seniors and their families may face. This professional also have a good idea of what may lie ahead, particularly with medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia or chronic illnesses.
Elder law attorneys concentrate on issues and matters that families face as parents or spouse approach golden age. An elder law attorney can determine what type of care is needed and whether the individual is able to remain at home or may require long-term care in a nursing home.