Our Local Elder Law Attorneys Help Seniors & Their Families
Serving Annapolis, Pasadena, Frederick, and Stevensville
Seniors, and their families, often face an array of challenges. Decisions regarding health care, long-term care, Medicaid, and Medicare must be considered carefully. For over 70 years, the local elder law attorneys at Frame & Frame Attorneys at Law have been serving the legal needs of seniors and their families in our community. We provide services, often to several generations of the same family, for thoughtful planning and during times of crisis. We are proud to serve as your family’s lawyer and trusted advisor.
We are experienced in assisting with all aspects of elder law to help achieve the best possible outcome for seniors and their families. Legal guidance is so important for these issues. The statutes change frequently regarding trusts, capital gains, estate planning, probate, guardianships, senior living, life planning, and long-term care. Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran’s benefits eligibility guidelines change frequently as well. The Maryland elder law attorneys at Frame & Frame have the experience and resources necessary to help you weigh all of the options to make the best decisions possible for you and your family. Our wide array of elder law services in Maryland include:
How A Maryland Elder Law Attorney Can Help
Regardless of the challenges you and your family face, the elder law attorneys at Frame & Frame can help. Our entire law firm is comprised of estate planning and Maryland elder law attorneys. We can help you create a strategic plan for long-term care, organize your estate to qualify for Medicaid benefits, review the Medicaid five-year lookback requirement, or obtain guardianship for a senior in your family. Our Maryland elder law attorneys also help you address and have the proper documentation for medical requirements, hospital stays, independent living, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities as well as the financial strategies to ensure you are able to access these services. Whether you are planning ahead for the future or dealing with a current crisis, our Maryland elder law attorneys can help you solve problems and meet your goals. In this area of law, in particular, our client’s worries are visibly lifted as they leave our office. That is one of the primary reasons we enjoy this unique area of law – it can be so rewarding to help seniors and their families.
“I didn’t know we had options. You have literally taken the weight off my shoulders.”
Will Your Life Savings & Children’s Inheritance Be Spent on Long-Term Care?
The AARP suggests that more than 70% of seniors will require some form of long-term care. The median cost of skilled nursing home care in Maryland is nearly $10,000 per month. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the costs associated with long-term care services. These costs can quickly diminish a lifetime of savings. That’s why long-term care and Medicaid Planning are key.
Thinking about the need for long-term care may be uncomfortable. Thinking about how you are going to pay for it can be even more unsettling. Our Free Guide to Long Term Care & Medicaid Planning shows you strategies for long-term care, Medicaid planning, and other tools and legal instruments that can help you avoid any crisis.
Our Elder Law Services are Geared to Resolving the Problems of Seniors
Our approach to elder law covers nearly every need you may have, including:
- Asset protection and long-term care planning
- Addressing end-of-life wishes through legal tools such as a living will, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, trusts,
- Probate and estate administration
- Choosing the right nursing home or senior care facility
- Establishing and updating an estate plan
- Protection from elder abuse and exploitation
- Legal guardianships
Medicaid Planning for Long-Term Care
Medicaid assistance may be invaluable for seniors facing the need for long-term care. With long-term care planning, also referred to as Medicaid planning, seniors may be able to qualify for Medicaid benefits and avoid exhausting his or her assets. More importantly, with proper long-term care planning, seniors can protect the family home, spousal assets, and perhaps even their children’s potential inheritance. However, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program has strict rules for eligibility. To obtain benefits, you must meet eligibility tests in three different areas including income, assets and medical. Download our Free Guide to Long Term Care to educate yourself on this important topic.
Medicaid eligibility is strictly tied to financial need. However, through proper planning, you can spend down your resources and qualify for Medicaid without going broke in the process. Our experienced elder law attorneys can help you develop a plan to hold on to the maximum amount of your assets while implementing a Medicaid eligibility plan. We can also represent you in the process of applying for benefits with the Maryland Department of Human Resources and your local Department of Social Services. Additionally, we can guide you through the process of applying with a local agency for assistance in paying for community-based care, at-home care, or assisted living through one of the many Medicaid Waiver programs that may be available to you.
If you are considering estate planning, long-term care or Medicaid planning strategies, our free legal guides can help! Download your copy today or contact our office to schedule a private consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Care Planning
Our attorneys specializing in elder care understand that seniors and their families have many questions about elder law in Maryland. So, our lawyers have developed an entire library of videos to answer common legal questions about elder law and long-term care planning. View the library playlist!
Elder law focuses on the legal and financial needs of older adults, covering areas like long-term care, guardianship, and Medicaid planning. Unlike general estate planning, elder law is designed to protect a senior's assets and ensure their quality of life during their later years.
An elder law attorney helps individuals qualify for Medicaid benefits by structuring assets and income to meet eligibility requirements. They also provide strategic advice to avoid costly mistakes, ensuring seniors can access long-term care without financial hardship.
Seniors should have key legal documents like a will, a durable power of attorney, and an advance healthcare directive. These tools ensure their financial affairs, healthcare decisions, and end-of-life wishes are handled according to their preferences.
Elder law attorneys help families explore options for long-term care, including nursing homes, assisted living, and in-home services. They also identify funding sources like Medicaid, veterans’ benefits, or long-term care insurance to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Legal strategies like irrevocable trusts, Medicaid-compliant annuities, and asset transfers can protect wealth while ensuring eligibility for Medicaid. An elder law attorney can tailor these options to each family’s unique situation, while avoiding penalties from Medicaid’s look-back rule.
Elder law attorneys help protect seniors by addressing cases of abuse or exploitation through legal actions like protective orders and financial recovery. They also establish safeguards, such as durable powers of attorney, to minimize the risk of future abuse.
Creating advance directives, including living wills and healthcare proxies, ensures a senior’s medical preferences are respected. These documents empower trusted representatives to make decisions aligned with their loved one’s values and expressed wishes.
An elder law attorney guides families through the legal process of obtaining guardianship when a loved one becomes incapacitated. Proactive planning with durable powers of attorney can often eliminate the need for court-appointed guardianship.
Transferring property can have significant tax and Medicaid implications, such as gift tax liabilities or penalties during Medicaid’s look-back period. An elder law attorney ensures these transfers are handled strategically to protect assets and maintain eligibility for benefits.
Elder law attorneys assist seniors in applying for veterans’ benefits, such as the Aid and Attendance program, which provides financial support for long-term care. They ensure applications are completed correctly and help appeal denied claims to secure benefits.
Experienced Legal Representation From Maryland Elder Law Attorneys
No matter what issues you may be facing as a senior, our Maryland elder law attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and experience to address your matter for a positive, successful outcome. We are here to help you evaluate your options, prepare for your future care, and resolve difficulties. Contact us online to get started.