How Elder Law Can Help You
Are you just now beginning to wonder how you will pay for long-term health care for a spouse whose health is declining? Is your estate in order or do you need to update your will or create a living trust? Is your elderly parent unable to make sound financial decisions, let alone care for themselves on a day-to-day basis? An elder law attorney can help you safely navigate the twilight years of your or your loved one’s life. An attorney can help you minimize stress, familial arguments, and the potential for your loved one to be the victim of identity fraud or other financial harms.
What is Elder Law?
Elder law covers a wide spectrum of legal issues. From estate planning and guardianship to long-term healthcare planning, Medicaid planning, and advance health directives, an elder law attorney needs to be knowledgeable in many areas of the law. Elder law attorneys help elderly clients and their families deal with what are sometimes stressful situations, all while remaining emotionally in-tune with both their client’s best interests and their immediate desires, which do not always align if the client suffers from Alzheimer’s’ or dementia. Elder law is complex and deals in making important decisions that will not only affect an older person until the end of their life, but will also affect their surviving family members for years to come.
Estate Planning
Is your will up to date? According to Forbes, the top eight reasons for updating your will include financial good fortune, financial setbacks, relationship changes, changes in the law, becoming a grandparent (or parent), losing a spouse, and bad health. Too many Americans die without creating a will to protect their last wishes and their loved ones, and still too many do not take the time to update their out of date wills. Everyone needs a will, but an estate plan does not have to end there. You may greatly benefit from various trusts and financial planning. An elder law attorney can also help create a power of attorney for your or your loved one’s business, a guardianship, and much more.
Long Term Care
Most of us will spend some time in our lives in an assisted living or nursing home. In fact, 1.4 million Americans currently reside in a nursing home, according to the CDC. These facilities are expensive, and the average American simply cannot afford a bed in a nursing home for more than a few months at most. An elder law attorney can create a Medicaid trust that will not only save your money, but will enable you the care that you need. Elder law attorneys also help with DNRs, advance healthcare directives, and legal powers of attorney for healthcare decisions.
How Do Elder Law Attorneys Assist With Long-Term Care Planning?
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.
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!
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.
Resources:
forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2012/08/09/when-should-you-redo-your-will/#77926d544a3a
cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursing-home-care.htm