|
In our Elder Law
practice, our principal concern is
empowering our clients to enhance their right of self-determination in
financial, health care and property management matters in later life. Legal
issues which face the general population take on special significance to aging
individuals. Seniors are concerned with financing the costs of growing older and
striving to preserve self-dignity and control in the face of advancing age and
the onset of illness.
Impersonal and difficult
interactions become necessary with financial and health care institutions and
government agencies. Our goal is to alleviate the fear of dependence and
confusion and help restore self-confidence through a knowledgeable and sensitive
representation of the client's interest.
Elder Law
is the legal discipline which responds to these
concerns through advising and assisting clients in planning for later life. This
later life planning, contrasted with the more commonly know estate (post-death)
planning involves a variety of legal, economic, psychological and social issues
which impact the client and which the elder law attorney must understand and
consider while guiding the client through a maze of important legal decisions.
The elder law
services which we offer our clients for life planning purposes include:
-
Planning for the cost of long-term
care through understanding of the Medicaid program, long-term care insurance and
private payment
-
Identifying community resources to
assist clients in securing services and support to remaining at home and
independent
-
Protecting personal choice in
health care decision making, including the appointment of a health care
surrogate and the execution of advance directives regarding life-prolonging
procedures. (Living Wills)
-
Guardianship proceedings for
incapacitated individuals when there is no appropriate alternative
-
Enforcing Medicare and Social
Security rights and responsibilities
-
Identifying elder abuse and
exploitation, whether physical, emotional or financial and taking action for
recovery and protection of the victims
-
Coordinating later life planning
with the client's estate planning needs and wishes
|
