What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do?
Estate planning attorneys can be thought of as proponents for seniors and their family members. Many elder law attorneys choose to handle a wide variety of legal areas of practice which may involve the elderly, but could also include an incapacitated person, especially when dealing with circumstances such as healthcare, long-term care planning, guardian issues, retirement planning, Social Security benefits, and even Medicare or Medicaid.
In some ways, estate planning attorneys can be a good choice simply because of their specialized knowledge of estate planning requirements of older adults, which are almost always different and more focused than the needs of the younger part of the population. They not only take care of all your important financial and estate planning matters, they’re also capable of handling day-to-day matters which could potentially affect the care of an elderly person, as is the case with assisted living situations and life planning.
Elder law attorneys are more capably trained and equipped to deal with the delicate emotional and physical needs of older individuals or incapacitated adults and are also prepared to handle a wide variety of difficult circumstances.
How Could an Elder Law Lawyer Assist Us?
- Help you understand the magnitude of will and estate planning, including planning for special needs or minor children, probate matters, or other legal proceedings.
- Create a durable power of attorney.
- They’ll offer help and guidance for health care planning, which might consist of long term care options, patient rights, Medicaid or Medicare, or health care power of attorney / advanced directives.
- Financial representation: financial planning (including durable financial power of attorney), gift tax matters, or housing needs.
- Guardianship: help you with the selection and appointment of a legal guardian for minor children.
- Help you locate quality long-term care facilities and determine how to manage the high costs of assisted living.
- Explain nursing home resident rights to prepare your family for a worst-case scenario or help you file nursing home claims.
