The day we begin to age, a lot of concerns appear on the plate. At this time, planning for the future and understanding the complex legal issues seems daunting and quite stressful.
But don’t fret anymore! Here, an elder law attorney can be the best rescue for you. These professionals are trained in helping seniors and their families with a wide range of legal and financial matters.
However, if you’re wondering when to hire an elder law attorney, this guide has shed light on the eight crucial signs that you must look out for:
- Need Help with Estate Planning
One of the most crucial reasons why you should hire an elder law attorney is for estate planning. An estate plan is known for ensuring all your wishes are carried out after your death. It typically includes documentation of will, trust, and power of attorney.
For reliable estate planning, an elder law attorney can craft a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. The professional can also ensure that the plan is legally valid and up-to-date with current laws.
- Concern about Potential Elder Abuse
Unfortunately, even today, elder abuse and financial exploitation are growing rapidly and becoming a significant concern in society. It is devastating to know that seniors are often targeted due to their vulnerability and accumulated wealth.
If you don’t know much about elder abuse, here are some warning signs that you should look at!
- Unexplained injuries or bruises around the body
- Sudden changes in the behavior or mood
- Isolation from family and friends
- unusual financial transactions in colossal amounts or charges to legal documents
So, if you suspect you or a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, hiring an elder law attorney is a great help for families and victims of elder abuse.
The attorney will assist in the process, from reporting to fighting for rights. This way, they can prevent future harm and secure the rights of your loved ones.
- Have Questions about Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid is a government program that can help cover all the long-term care costs for seniors with certain eligibility criteria. However, when it comes to approaching this program, there are certain complex rules in the application process, which can be stressful to navigate.
But with the help of legal counsel, you can get help understanding the eligibility criteria and protect your assets. By hiring an elder law attorney, you can get all the information related to the position so you or your loved one can better qualify for the coverage.
An experienced elder law attorney will also assist you with the application process and any appeals if needed.
- Faced Complex Legal Issues Related To Aging
When it comes to planning for the future, a variety of complex legal issues arise. To navigate these issues, it is always better to have an experienced elder law attorney by your side.
To learn about the complex legal issues, here are a few examples that you can consider:
- Guardianship proceedings if you or a loved one is incapacitated
- Probate matters after the death of a loved one
- Getting a special needs trust for a disabled family member
All of these listed legal matters can be complicated and emotionally charged. However, by working with an experienced elder law attorney, you can get the understanding, support, and protection for your rights.
- Need a Plan for Potential Long-Term Care
We all know that the cost of long-term care, including nursing homes, assisted living, and home care, is staggering. However, this is the utmost necessity. No one wants to compromise on it. But without proper planning, the expenses can quickly deplete your life savings.
Therefore, contacting a law firm specializing in elder law can help you explore your options and craft a plan to prepare and be able to afford long-term care. You can get expertise in purchasing long-term insurance, setting up a Medicaid asset protection trust, or using veterans’ benefits when needed.
So, if you’re stressing how to plan and manage long-term care, a skilled and experienced elder law attorney will be your true guide in this matter.
- Want To Establish Advance Directives
Being a senior, it can be challenging to handle more tasks, especially legal ones, such as advance directives. These are legal documents that allow you to specify your healthcare wishes and appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf if you or a loved one becomes incapacitated.
There are usually three main types of advance directives:
- A healthcare power of attorney
- Living will
- Advanced instruction for mental health treatment
Only the elder law attorney knows the different types of directives and drafts personalized documents that can reflect your unique wishes. Having these in place before medical crises can provide immense relief for you and your loved ones.
- Worried About Seeing a Loved One Incapacitated
If you have a loved one who is showing signs of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another condition that may lead to incapacity, it is crucial for you to start planning earlier for this. Here, your legal counsel will put the necessary documents and provisions in place before incapacitation occurs.
This process may include a durable power of attorney or establishing a guardianship or trust. These steps make the process much smoother and less stressful for you and your loved one.
- Need Help For Understanding Veterans Benefits
Many veterans are entitled to a number of benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Most of these benefits include disability compensation, pension, and Aid. This also offers attendance benefits for those who might need long-term care in the future.
However, when it comes to eligibility rules and application processes, it can be complex and confusing. Here, a VA-accredited elder law attorney helps you determine your eligibility. The attorney will gather all the necessary information and prepare the documentation for you.
This way, you will have legal expertise by your side to tackle the application process. Furthermore, the attorney will also assist you with appeals when the VA denies your application.
