Seniors face various decisions and may confront unique challenges during the sunset years. If you or a loved one are approaching or in the latter stages of life’s journey, your choices can have lasting financial, health, and well-being impacts now and in the future. Hiring an elder law attorney can protect you or your loved one during your senior years and ease the family’s future burdens.

What Does an Elder Law Attorney Do?

Lawyers experienced in working with the challenges and concerns of aging clients often offer a range of services designed to provide security and decision-making control. AmeriEstate’s attorneys offer a suite of services, allowing you to determine which ones best meet your needs or those of a loved one.

Estate Planning Assistance

We frequently receive questions about whether estate planning is really necessary, especially from those who feel their financial holdings are not substantial. The truth is it doesn’t matter what income bracket you fall in.

Creating an estate plan is vital preparation for handling your health and financial decision as you age and making your wishes known. It also alleviates potentially stressful situations for your loved ones when you need care and after you pass. Your estate plan may include legal documentation and guidance for the following:

• Last will and testament
• Irrevocable trusts
• Living trusts

Setting up these documents establishes legal direction for how you wish to allocate your assets after you pass and your wishes for end-of-life care and decisions. With the proper preparation, your heirs can avoid the costs and hassles of probate.

Incapacity Planning

If you become incapacitated, you need to rely on others to carry out your financial responsibilities and make decisions regarding your healthcare. However, no one can handle many of these matters without your explicit consent and legal documentation. On the occasions when others can take the initiative, they might not follow your wishes if you don’t have them down in writing.

Incapacity planning includes financial and healthcare powers of attorney, which allow you to choose someone to act on your behalf who manages your finances and makes healthcare decisions if you can’t. Revocable living trusts and living wills guide how you want your estate and medical care handled.

Long-Term Care Planning

Research shows that 70% of those 65 and older have long-term care needs at some point during the remaining years of their lives, though most depend on relatives to provide the care they require. Even short-term events can lead to financial and emotional strain on the loved ones who step in to assist.

An elder care attorney helps you establish avenues to pay for any long-term care that arises. Your lawyer can also assist you with determining public assistance resources you qualify for.

Senior Rights

Seniors are often victims of abuse and exploitation. An elder law attorney understands your rights, options and available resources and can provide information and connect you to the right services.

Where Can You Find an Elder Law Attorney?

AmeriEstate’s attorneys are dedicated to providing elders the legal services to meet their financial, healthcare, and asset allocation needs. Our services are affordable, and we work to make the process as convenient and straightforward as possible. Get in touch today to learn more about how our elder law attorneys can help.

Sources:

https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/what-lifetime-risk-needing-receiving-long-term-services-supports-0