What Is Elder Law?

Elder law is a special subset of legal practice that focuses specifically on advising seniors. Attorneys who specialize in elder law concentrate exclusively on the financial and legal issues facing seniors and their families. When addressing and advising on these issues, they take into account each individual’s financial situation, healthcare needs, future goals, and overall well-being. Many elder law attorneys also conduct estate planning, which is one of the more well-known fields of elder law, though these attorneys handle a wide variety of issues.

What Does an Elder Law Attorney Do?

In addition to estate planning, elder law encompasses multiple legal issues facing seniors, including long-term care planning. This may include pursuing Medicaid eligibility, transferring assets, and handling any long-term care housing issues. Other than long-term care, elder law attorneys take care of Medicare claims and appeals, Social Security issues, conservatorships and guardianships, probate, elder abuse, age discrimination, retirement benefits, and more.

Although most elder law attorneys are familiar with each of these focus areas, it’s important to work with an attorney who is qualified to help with your specific situation. Fortunately, when we match you with a local planner from our network, we take your circumstances into account to connect you with the right professional.

In terms of long-term care planning, an elder law attorney can help you:

• Pursue Medicaid benefits to cover your long-term care costs

  If you or your loved one is already in a long-term care facility or about to enter one, an elder law attorney can help you seek Medicaid eligibility to cover your care costs. An attorney who specializes on Medicaid planning will be well-versed in Medicaid’s rules and requirements, so they understand how to get you the benefits you deserve.

• Transfer assets to protect them from Medicaid or a long-term care facility

  Whether you are planning ahead or in a crisis situation, an elder law attorney can help you transfer assets in order to protect your savings from Medicaid estate recovery or from being drained on long-term care costs.

• Avoid a Medicaid denial or penalty period

  Elder law attorneys who do Medicaid planning have a strong understanding of Medicaid’s strict eligibility requirements, so they can ensure the Medicaid application is free of errors, reducing the risk of a denial or penalty period.

• Prepare for your end-of-life affairs

  On top of planning for long-term care, and elder law attorney can help you prepare and set aside funds for your end-of-life expenses. Everyone deserves a funeral, but the last thing you want is to leave your loved ones with the stress of planning for and covering these costs.

• Preserve a legacy for your loved ones

  Whether an elder law attorney is helping you pursue Medicaid eligibility or safeguard your assets ahead of a long-term care stay, the end goal is the same - preserving a legacy for your spouse, children, or other loved ones.