Common elder law concerns are the legal and life problems older adults and their families often face as they age. These may include planning for long term care, protecting savings, creating a will, qualifying for government benefits, and preventing elder abuse.
Elder law planning helps people stay in control and avoid problems before they happen. If you or someone in your family is getting older and wants to prepare for the future, our Texas elder law lawyer will guide you through your options. Call us today for a consultation.
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What Does Elder Law Planning Mean?
Elder law planning is getting legal help to handle the challenges that come with growing older. It’s about more than just writing a will. It includes:
- Choosing someone to help with money or health decisions
- Ensuring that others follow your wishes
- Protecting what you’ve worked for your whole life
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
What Is the Difference Between Elder Law Planning and Estate Planning?
Elder law planning and estate planning often go hand in hand, but they focus on different things.
- Estate planning is about what happens after you die. It covers wills, trusts, and how your property is passed on to your loved ones.
- Elder law planning focuses on protecting your quality of life while you are still living. It helps with long term care planning, medical decisions, Medicaid planning, and protecting your assets from being lost to care costs.
In short, estate planning is about the future for your family; elder law planning is about protecting yourself now and later.
Why Knowing About Elder Law Concerns Matters
As people get older, things can change fast. If you don’t plan, your family might face:
- Big, unexpected medical bills
- High costs for nursing homes or care
- Confusing government paperwork
- Arguments over money or decisions
- Elder abuse or financial schemes
Learning what elder law concerns are the most common can help you avoid these issues before they become emergencies. We will walk you through these steps so you feel confident and prepared for the future.
Common Elder Law Issues We Can Help You With
These are some of the most common reasons people work with an elder law attorney:
Preparing for Future Care Costs
Nursing homes and assisted living places are expensive. Legal guidance from our firm can help you:
- Make a plan to pay for care
- Protect your house and savings
- Understand Medicaid and how to apply
Planning early helps avoid stress later.
Estate Planning
Estate planning means getting legal documents ready to explain what happens to your money, property, and health care if you get sick or die. This includes:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Power of attorney papers
Healthcare Wishes
You have the right to make decisions about your medical care. However, if you are too sick to speak up, doctors may not know what you want. Our elder care attorney will help you create:
- A living will
- A healthcare power of attorney
- Other forms that explain your wishes
These papers ensure others know what you want, even if you can’t speak.
Help With Government Benefits
Seniors often need programs like:
- Social Security Disability: Some older adults become disabled before they reach full retirement age. If you are too sick or injured to work, these benefits provide a monthly payment that helps cover basic living expenses, such as food, housing, and healthcare.
- Veterans Benefits: If you served in the military, you may be eligible for these benefits. These can include monthly disability payments, health care through the VA, help with extended care costs, and special programs for older veterans.
- Medicaid or Medicare: Most seniors rely on Medicare for health insurance after age 65. However, Medicaid can pay for long term care and other services that Medicare does not cover, such as extended nursing home care.
Many people find it challenging to apply for these programs. We will help you or your loved one fill out forms, apply, and deal with issues if you learn your claim has been denied.
How Our Elder Law Lawyer Can Help You and Your Family
We help older adults and their families make smart legal choices for their futures. We understand the problems that often come with aging and know how to solve them before they turn into bigger issues.
Here’s how they help:
- We listen carefully: We will take the time to understand your situation and what matters most to you.
- We explain your options: Legal topics can be confusing, but our elder law attorneys will explain things in simple terms so you know exactly what’s going on.
- We will write legal papers for you: Whether you need a will, power of attorney, or a living will, you can count on us to make sure everything is done right and reflects your wishes.
- We will help you plan for long term care and finances: Your lawyer will show you how to protect your money, prepare for nursing home costs, and make sure you have a plan in place for future care.
- We help with government benefits: Applying for Social Security, Medicaid, or Veterans’ Disability benefits can be challenging. We will fill out the forms, meet deadlines, and fight if your claim is denied.
When you have a lawyer who knows elder law, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. You’ll have someone on your side who cares about your future and works to keep you safe, secure, and in control.
When Should You Start Elder Law Planning?
Many people wait until a crisis happens—like a sudden illness or move to a nursing home—before thinking about elder law planning. But the truth is, the sooner you start, the more options you will have.
It is a good idea to begin elder law planning:
- When you or your spouse turn 60 or older
- After any major health change
- When you begin thinking about retirement or downsizing
- If you want to protect your savings for your family
- Before applying for Medicaid or long term care
Starting early gives you more control and helps you avoid rushed decisions. We can help you put a plan in place now—before life gets more complicated.
Choosing Someone to Make Important Decisions if You Can’t
If you get into a situation where you cannot make choices for yourself, someone needs to step in. If you don’t pick someone ahead of time, the court might choose for you.
Our lawyer will help you:
- Pick a trusted person to handle your money or health care decisions
- Write it down and record it in legal papers
- Help you avoid going to court later
Planning for these concerns now gives you more control over your life.
Talk to Us About Your Elder Law Concerns Today
If you’re starting to ask what the common elder law concerns are for you and your family, now is a good time to speak with an attorney from Marc Whitehead & Associates.
For more than 30 years, we have helped older adults and their families with elder law planning, Veterans’ Disability benefits, Social Security Disability, and Long Term Disability. Our team makes the process easy to understand.
We explain your options in plain language and handle the paperwork for you. Call our team today for your consultation.