Unlocking the Advantages of an Elder Law Attorney

Posted on November 11, 2023 by shieldsandboris

The American Bar Association (ABA) explains that elder law is an umbrella term that refers to the specialty legal practice area focused on the unique needs of “older persons and persons with special needs, and their representatives.” An elder law plan is a strategic approach to managing the legal and financial challenges that may arise during a person’s later years—from estate planning to long-term care needs. A legal advocate can help you and your family put the right plan in place. In this article, you will find an overview of the advantages of working with a top elder law attorney.

Understanding Elder Law: A Comprehensive Way to Secure Your Future

Seniors and others who are at or near retirement have unique legal needs. Elder law is a specialty practice area devoted to helping people prepare for, manage, and navigate these types of matters. An elder lawyer—including the attorneys at The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, who have nearly seven decades of relevant experience—helps people and families develop a proactive, personalized approach to secure their future. Here are some key areas an elder lawyer can help you unlock:

Estate Planning: Estate planning matters. It is putting the right plan in place to protect yourself, your future, and your family. An estate plan should be customized to meet your needs. Some notable estate planning documents include wills, trusts, and power of attorney.
Retirement Accounts: For the majority of people, their retirement savings make up the primary share of their assets. Retirement accounts require careful structuring to maximize benefits and ensure financial stability in one’s non-working years.
Assets Protection: Assets preservation seeks to protect an elder’s assets from being depleted by taxes, healthcare costs, or legal vulnerabilities—thereby helping to ensure not only financial security but that you can leave the most for the people you care about.
Legacy Planning: Your life is a legacy. Legacy planning goes beyond financial assets to include the individual’s values, life lessons, and wishes in a way that leaves a meaningful impact on their family and community.
Long-Term Care Planning: Long-term care costs can be extremely high. Many people underappreciated the financial threat posed by long-term care needs. A proactive approach can help you and your family prepare for whatever the future might bring.
Medicaid Issues: Medicaid is the public program that covers long-term care needs—but Medicaid is strictly means-tested. An elder lawyer can help you and your family prepare for the full range of Medicaid planning issues.
Dementia Care: Dementia care planning addresses the specific legal and care challenges presented by cognitive decline. The right plan can help to ensure that a vulnerable person’s financial and healthcare needs are taken care of.

Harnessing the Power of a Top-Tier Elder Lawyer With Proven Knowledge and Experience

Elder law is complicated. No matter the specific issue that you and your family are dealing with—from estate planning to long-term care needs—it is normal to have a lot of questions. Confusion is common. One of the primary ways that you can unlock the advantages of working with a top-tier elder law attorney is to rely on their wealth of knowledge and experience. With a deep understanding of elder law, your lawyer will be equipped to handle everything from the more routine matters to the most complex of legal issues. Real-world experience allows them to foresee potential problems and offer solutions that prevent legal hardships later on.

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

Estate planning and asset protection are absolutely essential. One of the core legal services provided by any top elder lawyer is estate planning. Regardless of the situation that you find yourself facing, your elder law attorney can help you determine the very best strategy for how assets will be managed and, when the time comes, distributed to the appropriate heirs. Remember, estate planning is about far more than just writing a will, it is about ensuring that there is a plan in place that is clear, reliable, and tax-efficient that achieves your goals and best protects your hard-earned life savings from creditors.

Long-Term Care Planning (Medicaid and Medicare Expertise)

Understanding and planning for long-term care are crucial aspects of elder law. A reliable elder lawyer is a professional who possesses extensive knowledge of Medicaid and Medicare. Health care matters—and Medicaid and Medicare are both vital components of long-term care planning. Your attorney can guide you and your family through the complex eligibility requirements, help them understand the benefits, and assist in lawful asset restructuring to ensure qualification without compromising their financial security.

Advocacy and Legal Representation When it Matters

Elder law also encompasses advocacy and legal representation—particularly when seniors face issues that require legal intervention. Of course, a proactive approach is key in elder law. Whenever possible, you want to address and resolve issues before they even arise. Still, unexpected things can happen. An elder law attorney will be a passionate advocate and legal representative when it matters most.

Peace of Mind for Seniors and their Families

You do not want to have to spend a lot of time thinking about estate planning, asset preservation, Medicaid planning, or other complex issues—especially as you, your parents, or your elderly loved one is getting later in life. It is time to focus on what matters most. One of the most significant advantages that you can unlock with a reliable elder law attorney is peace of mind. Knowing that an experienced professional is looking out for the senior’s best interests can alleviate stress and anxiety. Families can rest assured that key legal issues are being handed the right way.

Set Up a Confidential Consultation With a Pennsylvania Elder Law Attorney Today

At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, we are committed to providing solutions-driven elder law representation to people and families. Let us help you unlock the advantages of a personalized elder law plan. For a fully confidential initial consultation, please call us at (724) 307-4464 or contact us online. We work with clients in North Hills, South Hills, Beaver, Washington, and throughout the surrounding area in Western Pennsylvania.

A Guide to Alzheimer's Care

Planning for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease can be complicated. Proper planning in advance can help alleviate many frustrations as the disease progresses. The time to act is now. Learn the steps for proper planning from our eBook to ensure that things are handled according to your wishes and that you’ve taken the best steps possible to protect your loved ones and your family’s financial security.

When Someday Arrives

We wrote this book for retirees and child caregivers as a tool to allow you to stay at home as long as possible and as a guide of what to do if you or a loved one cannot stay at home. We believe every family has a legacy to protect, and it is our job to protect that legacy. The greatest risk to today’s retiree is a long-term care health crisis. Request your copy today to prepare for what the future holds.

What To Do When A Loved One Dies

Consumers and financial planners, use this book as a down-to-earth primer of estate planning and elder law! Learn about the duties, rights, and responsibilities of the executor or administrator of an estate and what you should expect from competent legal counsel when you have to probate an estate. Find tools such as a guide to help you retain competent counsel and even an estate organizer so you can organize your own affairs.

Don't Go Broke in a Nursing Home

Take back control of your life and provide excellent long-term care for your aging loved ones without going broke in the process. Find creative financial strategies to protect your assets and the quality of care you receive. In addition, learn about little-known tax incentives, how to choose the right home care providers, long-term care facilities, and how to manage the crisis.