Elder Law

Our prolonged life expectancy has created new and complex challenges, which often warrant help from an elder law attorney.

Getting older should be a celebration of a life well-lived. Unfortunately, this much-deserved retirement into the “golden years” is not the reality for some seniors. Older adults may face a wide range of issues, from healthcare needs and long term care planning to retirement funding.

Elder law is a specialized area that crosses over many different legal fields, including estate planning, disability planning and estate probation. An elder law attorney serves as an advocate for affected seniors and their loved ones, helping to navigate their specific challenges.

Ways that an elder law attorney can help

• Estate planning: An effective plan may include a will, living trust, powers of attorney, or other key documents that communicate your wishes and help minimize unnecessary cost.

• Trusts and powers of attorney: In particular, it may be helpful to establish powers of attorney or a trust to help make financial or healthcare decisions for a senior.

• Social Security: The current full retirement age for Social Security is 67, although some may receive benefits earlier. An elder law attorney can help you navigate Social Security law to ensure that you get all of your benefits.

• Health care planning: For many seniors, healthcare means going through Medicare, a complicated system that may not cover all needs.

• Long-term care: Sometimes the best place to receive care is in a nursing home, but it can be challenging to figure out how to pay for it or qualify for Medicaid for long term care.

A holistic approach

Given the complexity of elder law and the various legal challenges that can affect seniors, we take a holistic approach to navigating these issues. Everyone’s situation is different, and may feature different challenges. For example, one person may be concerned about housing issues while another may need to set up a conservatorship. 

We offer a comprehensive, defined system that focuses on your family’s needs throughout the process. Our system ensures that you get the most effective solution for your family’s needs – and that you understand what you’re getting.

The importance of empathy and support

Older adults and those who are disabled have additional needs that go beyond legal documents. This is why we also focus on the specific emotional and physical needs of our clients, helping to support them during this difficult time. Where necessary, we also help facilitate referrals to elder care professionals, such as psychologists and social workers.