If you or a Kentucky loved one is getting on in years, you likely have many questions regarding Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, end-of-life decisions and a variety of other matters. This is where an elder law attorney can help you negotiate your way through all the issues elderly people face, answer your questions, and put your mind at ease.
FindLaw explains that elder law attorneys advocate for older people and their families and focus their practices on a wide range of issues and concerns that affect senior citizens as opposed to younger people. Consequently, an elder law attorney can advise, counsel and provide you with legal representation in the following areas:
- Drafting your will, trusts and other estate planning documents
- Drafting your advance healthcare directive and your durable financial power of attorney
- Advising you of your long-term care options
- Helping you apply for Medicare and/or Medicaid
- Explaining your rights if and when you become a resident of an assisted living facility or nursing home
- Handling any claim you or your family may have against your assisted living facility or nursing home
Finding your elder law attorney
Naturally, you want to find an elder law attorney you can trust and with whom you can be completely open and honest about all your concerns. Consequently, do not hesitate to ask any prospective attorney the following questions:
- What percentage of your time do you devote to elder law issues?
- Do you have a particular emphasis or focus within the elder law area?
- What information and documents should I be prepared to share with you at our first meeting?
- How do you compute your legal fees?
This is general educational information and not intended to provide legal advice.
