If you or your elderly loved one are dealing with the complex legal issues that can be involved with growing older, it might be time for you to seek help from an elder law attorney. The professionals at Elder Care Direction are able to assist you with understanding the needs that you have and to help you with preliminary paperwork to save you money. We can also recommend experienced elder law attorneys who can handle the legal aspects of your loved one’s needs.
What are elder law attorneys?
Elder law attorneys are lawyers who focus on the legal issues that are involved with the elderly, and they advocate for both their elderly clients and their loved ones. Elder law lawyers may handle a broad variety of issues that affect elderly people and disabled people such as health care issues, long-term care planning, retirement, guardianship, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other issues.
Elder law attorneys focus on helping older adults because their needs may be different and be impacted by different laws. These attorneys may help with estate planning and financial matters, assisted living, and life planning. Elder law attorneys may be better equipped to handle the sensitive physical and emotional needs of disabled or elderly adults so that they might help in a variety of difficult situations.
How an elder law attorney might help you
An elder law attorney might help you with any of the following:
- Advise you about wills and estate planning, including planning for adults or minors with special needs, probate issues, and other matters;
- Create durable powers of attorney;
- Provide assistance with long-term care and Medicaid planning;
- Advise you on patient rights and Medicare;
- Assist with financial planning;
- Identify senior housing options;
- Help you with gift tax, estate tax, and income tax matters.
Attorneys may also help you to identify and choose a legal guardian and secure the guardian’s appointment. If there are issues with a nursing home, and elder law attorney may help to file a claim. Finally, elder law attorneys may draft estate planning documents that your loved one needs.
How elder law attorneys bill for their services
In general, elderly law attorneys bill by the hour based on the services that they provide. Some elder law attorneys may agree to charge a flat fee based on a particular type of work such as documents review, tax return filing, or will preparation.
Questions to ask an elder law attorney
Elder law attorneys may not focus on all aspects that might affect seniors, making it important for you to hire a lawyer who has experience in your area of need. Before you hire an attorney, it is also important for you to feel comfortable with him or her. It is a good idea for you to ask the following questions when you are interviewing an elder law attorney:
- How long have you been practicing?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to elder law?
- Is there a particular area within the elder law on which you place an emphasis?
- How do you compute your fees?
- What information should be gathered for the first meeting?
How to find an elder law attorney
There are several ways that you can find an elder law attorney. You can start by asking for referrals from friends and family and by conducting research online. However, you might want to get help from the professionals at Elder Law Direction. We can refer you to one of our prescreened elder law attorneys to help you with the legal aspects of your issues while helping you to save money by helping you with the preliminary matters. To learn more, call us today.