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By Stephanie Edwards, Esquire, Edwards Elder Law, P.A.
When a family is facing uncertainty about how to assist a loved one who is not as independent as they used to be due to advancing age, illness or disability, elder law attorneys provide the guidance needed to create and implement an assistance plan.? Elder law attorneys help both families with immediate needs and families who want to plan ahead for a potential future need.
Elder law Attorneys Address Financial, Legal & Life Issues Associated with Aging:
Elder law attorneys can provide direction on what types of care are available, the costs of care, how to pay for care and the possibility of qualifying for financial assistance through government benefits such as Medicaid or Veterans Administration pension benefits.
Elder law attorneys can also provide guidance on the impact of incapacity on estate plans.? Incapacity may necessitate changes in the documents that implement the estate plan such as wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, healthcare surrogates and living wills.
Elder law attorneys realize that when a family member loses their independence, it creates more than just a legal issue.? The whole family can feel the stress of navigating the health care system, becoming a caretaker, locating and choosing an assisted living community and figuring out how to pay for the potentially staggering cost of long term care.? Elder law attorneys can assist families in accessing the resources they need to solve these types of ?life? issues as well as the legal issues that incapacity creates.
When to Seek Out the Services of an Elder Law Attorney:
So, when do people need an elder law attorney?? Ideally, well before a decline in independence or incapacity becomes a reality; pre-planning enhances the ability to maintain financial stability and choose care options rather than just default into the care options that remain and are immediately available in an emergency.? However, even people who thought a crisis would never strike (until it did), it is not too late to turn to an elder law attorney for emergency guidance through the bewildering and financially challenging long term care maze.
Elder Law Attorney as an Elder Care Community Resource:
In addition to solving legal problems, elder law attorneys can be a resource for learning about the other types of services available through the professional elder care community.? Once a person knows about the breadth of specialized services available, he or she can help the attorney choose which professionals will collaborate together on the plan.? This collaboration between the elder law attorney and for instance the geriatric care manager, healthcare provider and financial planner usually results in a more comprehensive incapacity or long term care plan.? This holistic planning approach can bring order and sense to what otherwise can feel like well-meaning but unconnected and sometimes inconsistent solutions from advisors working in a vacuum from each other.? It is another way that elder law attorneys can help people address the life as well as legal issues that incapacity or a long term care need can create.
For more information about the practice of Elder Law, visit the website of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, www.NAELA.org
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Elder law attorneys help both families with immediate needs and families who want to plan ahead for a potential future need
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Source: http://lifelinesacademy.com/what-do-elder-law-attorneys-do-and-when-might-your-client-need-one/
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