What Should I Know About Elder Law?

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The job of an elder law attorney is to advocate for the elderly as well as their loved ones. They can focus on the needs of the individual in a way that is different from the needs of a younger individual. Elder law pertains to the legal matters that would impact an older or disabled person, such as health care, long term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. It is crucial that these matters are handled properly so that there is no stone left unturned, and elder law attorneys are more equipped to handle the sensitive nature of these matters more so than anyone else. Continue reading below to learn more and contact an experienced Alabama elder law attorney for assistance.

What Can an Elder Law Attorney do for Me?

When dealing with such a critical plan for your life, an elder law attorney attorney can assist you with any of the following:

  • Talk about the importance of estate planning and a will, including plans for a minor or adult with special needs, the process of probate, and other matters
  • Create a durable power of attorney
  • Assist with health care and planning, including long term care, patient rights, Medicare, and a health care power of attorney
  • Financial representation for matters such as financial planning, housing opportunities and planning, income, estate, and gift tax
  • Selecting and appointing a legal guardian
  • Help locate long term care facilities and manage assisted living costs
  • Explain the rights of nursing home residents and hel file nursing home claims
  • Draft a living will or other advance directives such as a durable power of attorney and long term planning documents

What Should I Ask an Elder Law Attorney?

It is important to understand the matters that an elder law attorney specializes in so that you hire the right attorney for your situation. When selecting an attorney, you should be able to feel comfortable that they will represent you properly. To determine this, you may wish to ask the following questions:

  • How long have you been practicing elder law?
  • What percentage of your time is devoted to elder law?
  • Do you have an emphasis on a certain area of elder law?
  • What should I prepare for our first meeting?

Contact our Firm

Stone Crosby, P.C. has proudly served clients in Alabama for over 100 years. Our firm has experience handling matters including divorce and family law, estate planning and administration, business law, employment law, class actions, consumer protection, business law, real estate law, among many others. If you require quality legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.