Elder Law

The firm has been involved in the area of Elder Law almost from the time that a separate field became known as Elder Law.  The growing population of seniors in the country has required attorneys to pay particular attention to the needs of senior citizens.  This includes areas traditionally associated with senior citizens, such as the preparation, review and interpretation of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Health Care Powers of Attorney, Guardianships and Committees.

Elder Law pays particular attention to traditional documents that are important to senior citizens, such as the preparation of wills and powers of attorney, but Elder Law also goes into other areas that are unique to senior citizens, such as planning for death, the transition of wealth from one person or family to another, the management of assets for senior citizens and planning for an orderly and cost efficient transfer of wealth at death.

Elder Law involves not only the preparation of wills and trusts but also the effective management of assets during life, which can include the preparation of revocable living trusts and pourover wills, the use of powers of attorney and health care directives, the review of the legal documents required to assist the senior citizen in the effective management of assets during life, and the transition of assets after death or upon disability.

The Elder Lawyer looks at a client's mental and physical health, the size and nature of assets, and immediate and long-term needs, and assists in the preparation of documents that meet the unique needs of the individual client with particular emphasis on independence and quality of life.  The Elder Attorney also will be familiar with the different forms of assistance available to senior citizens, including Medicaid, Medicare, local agencies on aging, health care professionals, social services, and other support organizations that assist the senior citizen with reference to aging, transition of assets and independent living.  The Elder Lawyer has the ability to petition local courts and departments of social services relating to matters involving senior citizens and persons under disability.  We are familiar with the operation of the statutory processes available both in the area of state, federal and local law.