There
are some legal problems unique to older
adults that many attorneys are not equipped to provide
accurate advice about such as Medicaid, Social Security or disability claims, trusts
or estate planning, or issues regarding long term care. When an elderly person requires the services
of an attorney to protect their financial interests or to solve legal issues, experts
recommend hiring an elder law attorney who specializes in advocating for the
elderly and their loved ones.
The
FindLaw website explains, “Most elder law attorneys handle a wide range of
legal matters affecting an older or disabled person, including issues related
to health care, long term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social
Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and other important matters.” However, remember that as with all attorneys,
elder law attorneys also specialize in specific areas of the law so look for
one that has the expertise you need.
Many
families find it makes good sense to hire an elder attorney to protect and
preserve their loved one’s assets when they sell their home to move into an assisted
living or memory
care community. This
is a case where you would want to find one that specializes in financial and
estate planning. The elder attorney also
can assist with legal issues that arise with the actual care of the senior including
helping to sort out supplemental and long-term health insurance problems.
An
elder attorney can draw up a durable power of attorney as well as draft a
living will, living trust or other advance directives, or
set up conservatorships and guardianships.
They can help answer questions regarding nursing home resident rights
and other patient rights.
To
find an elder law attorney, experts recommend asking friends, family members or
other business connections for referrals.
Findlaw.com says you can check online and read through websites or use
their online attorney directory.
Source: elder.findlaw.com/what-is-elder-law/what-does-an-elder-law-attorney-do-.html
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