The practice of Elder Law involves the financial and healthcare issues typically related to an older or elderly client. Certainly a parent or family member’s health and quality of life could be at great risk as well as a family’s entire net worth. These services also often include strategic planning regarding Medicaid and Title XIX Planning and, if necessary application before the state government agencies for such services.

Often a fundamental issue is to arrange for a spouse who is continuing to live in their home to not become impoverished because a spouse’s health needs necessitate expensive skilled health care. It is important to note that when I am approached by the middle age or younger family member with respect to the legal needs of a parent or other older family member, except in unusual circumstances, my ethical and legal obligations would be in support of that elderly or older parent or other family member rather than the typically younger family member.

As such the elderly or older family member should be clear and satisfied that my obligation would, therefore, be to them. These legal needs typically include issues related to being sure the elderly client’s Estate Planning Needs are completed while they are still fully competent to execute legal documents such as a Last Will and Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Living Will/Health Care Instructions and Directives, Power of Attorney, Naming of Conservator and property and asset transfers, as applicable. Often this process also involves transfer(s) of property and Deeds if appropriate.

There are also typically issues related to obtaining appropriate skilled, homemaking and related and other care for the client and family and to assist in identifying the most sensible housing arrangement whether it be care at home, assisted living skilled care or other arrangement. When a family member needs assistance to care for themselves or their assets particularly Voluntary Conservatorships are sometimes advisable and I am pleased to successfully advise and guide families through that process if necessary.