Older Adults and individuals living with special needs are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. They can fall victim to a range of scams, abuse and misconduct. They may also be reluctant to speak out and be heard. Unfortunately, the combination of these factors can lead to tragic outcomes. With an experienced elder law attorney, you can provide vulnerable adults with the planning they need to ensure they enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Seasons’ recent article entitled “Finding an elder care lawyer” explains that elder law encompasses many areas of low that involve older adults or adults with disabilities. These areas include:
- Estate Planning
- Medicaid Planning
- Guardianship
- Planning in Case of Incapacity
- Avoiding Elder Abuse, Fraud, and Neglect
- Advance Directives & End-of-life Planning
- Retirement Planning
- VA Pension & Other Long-term Care Planning
Many attorneys practice some elder law planning, but you want to look for someone who has earned the National Elder Law Foundation’s Certified Elder Law Attorney designation. Attorneys with the CELA designation have the knowledge and experience to handle the most complicated situations. Some Elder Law attorneys specialize in litigation, but most do not.
Experienced Elder Law attorneys provide comprehensive legal planning based on the needs and wishes of their clients. All adults need to plan in case of incapacity, but for vulnerable adults, that need becomes more urgent. It’s essential that they appoint trustworthy Agents under Powers of Attorney to handle financial matters and health care decisions if they are unable to do so themselves.
Qualifying for programs such as VA Pension and Nursing Home Medicaid is complicated, and may require trust creation or other legal planning in order to receive benefits.
At what age should you consult with an Elder Law Attorney? Preferably as you near or enter retirement, or any time after, especially if you have concerns about your health.
Contact our office today, to schedule a free consultation.
Reference: Seasons (Aug. 30, 2022) “Finding an elder care lawyer”
