Rather than being defined by technical and legal distinctions, Elder Law is defined by the clients to be served. In other words, the attorney who practices Elder Law works primarily with people as they age. Elder Law attorneys use a variety of legal tools and techniques to meet the goals and objectives of their clients. Elder Law attorneys typically work with other professionals in various fields to provide their clients quality service and ensure their needs are met.
Using this holistic approach, for example, an Elder Law attorney will address general estate planning issues and will counsel clients about planning for incapacity with alternative decision-making documents. This attorney will also assist clients in planning for possible long-term care needs, including nursing home care. Locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating private and public resources to finance the cost of care, and working to ensure the client’s right to quality care are all part of the Elder Law practice.
Legal problems that affect the elderly are growing in number. Our laws and regulations are becoming more complex. Actions taken by older people with regard to a single matter may have unintended legal effects. Attorneys dealing with the elderly have a broad understanding of the laws that may have an impact on a given situation, to avoid future problems.
My Elder Law practice encompasses many different fields of law. Some of these include:
- Preservation/transfer of assets seeking to avoid spousal impoverishment when a spouse enters a nursing home.
- Conservatorships and guardianships.
- Estate planning, including planning for the management of one’s estate during life and its disposition on death through the use of trusts, wills and other planning documents.
- Probate Law and Estate Administration.
- Administration and management of trusts.
My focus is to fully inform my clients in all of these areas of the law and make them confident and comfortable when dealing with elder law issues and concerns.