Elderly individuals have unique legal needs that differ from those of younger adults. Concerns such as health care, caregiving costs, retirement, disability, guardianship, and long-term care are generally more relevant to older adults. That is why many older individuals and their loved ones turn to elder law attorneys who specialize in these legal issues to get the legal help they need.
What Is an Elder Law Attorney?
Elder law is a specialized area of law that focuses on the rights and needs of older individuals. Attorneys specializing in elder law are dedicated to addressing the needs of seniors and their families.
Elder law covers various topics, including legal counseling for elderly individuals and those with special needs, estate planning, public benefits, healthcare, housing, and various other legal issues related to aging. The field also involves protective planning, end-of-life matters, litigation regarding financial abuse, and guardianship concerns.
How Can An Elder Law Lawyer Help You?
Depending on their specific practice area, elder law attorneys can help with numerous issues, including:
- Estate and retirement planning
- Planning for adults or minors with special needs
- Probate proceedings
- A durable power of attorney
- Medical care planning
- Medicaid planning
- Medicare eligibility
- Patient rights
- Guardianship options
- Health care power of attorney
- Nursing home resident rights and abuse claims
- Locating long-term care facilities
- Drafting advance directives
- Preparing long-term planning documents
These lawyers may also be able to advise on financial matters, such as financial planning, housing opportunities and planning, a durable financial power of attorney, managing assisted living costs, and helping with income, estate, and gift tax matters.
How Do You Find an Experienced Elder Law Attorney?
It is important to understand that not every elder law attorney specializes in every area of law affecting seniors. Therefore, before hiring a lawyer to help with these specific legal issues, it is crucial to interview prospective elder law attorneys and find one who can represent you or your family member in a compassionate and understanding manner.
Some questions you may want to consider asking these legal professionals during an interview include the following:
- How long have you been practicing elder law?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- Do you work on specific cases within elder care law?
- What information should I prepare for the first meeting?
- What are your fees?
When Should You Reach Out To an Elder Law Attorney?
Individuals often hire an elder law attorney during significant life transitions to receive assistance with setting up an estate plan or navigating medical insurance matters. However, there are other instances when it is crucial to consider hiring an elder law lawyer, such as when:
- You or a family member is incapacitated, disabled, or diagnosed with a disability and requires assistance with special needs trust planning, long-term health care planning, or Medicaid planning
- You or a loved one is over the age of 55 years old and wants to know more about estate planning
- You or a family member is a fiduciary and has questions regarding what their responsibilities will be as an agent
- You want to learn more about public benefit options, such as Medicaid
Learn More About Our Elder Law Attorneys, Contact Hollingsworth PLLC Today
At Hollingsworth PLLC, our experienced and skilled legal professionals are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services customized to meet the specific needs of our senior community. Elder Law is a specialized field that deals with the legal concerns and challenges encountered by older individuals. Our firm proudly provides experienced guidance and support in this critical area.
To learn more about the services our elder law attorney can provide you, contact Hollingsworth Law to discuss your questions today.