The legal needs of many older Americans go beyond basic legal services. They are also all intertwined. In addition to understanding the legal issues and complications that older Americans face, elder law attorneys must also understand the surrounding personal concerns of their clients, such as health, financial and family issues, and how those affect their clients’ legal issues.
Recently Heard’s article entitled “What You Need to Know About Elder Law” explains that other specific areas of expertise include the following:
- End of life planning could extend to planning your health care support system as you age, signing a power of attorney, establishing a living will and other issues surrounding end of life care.
- Financial issues frequently entails questions about retirement and financial planning, housing financing, income and estate tax planning and gift tax issues.
- Long term care can include planning for asset protection, insurance for in-home care or assistance with activities of daily living, Medicare planning, insurance, veterans’ benefits and other issues.
- Residents’ rights issues may include claims or complaints you bring while a patient in a nursing home or long term care facility.
- Workplace discrimination issues stem from the fact that older Americans sometimes face age and disability discrimination in the workplace.
- Guardianship issues might include guardianship avoidance, planning wills and trusts, planning for the future of a special needs child, probate court and other issues surrounding minor or adult children.
- Landlord-tenant law may mean handling disputes with landlords, contesting an eviction, dealing with foreclosure issues, rent increases and more.
- Abuse, neglect, and fraud. These elder law attorneys specialize in cases where an older client is being victimized.
An elder law attorney can be a great partner for you as you plan out the legal and financial aspects of the next stage of your life—or the life of a loved one. Speak to one today.
Reference: Recently Heard (June 23, 2022) “What You Need to Know About Elder Law”
