Elder law refers to the field of law that addresses issues most likely to affect the elderly. This includes incapacity, nursing home issues, and estate planning. While seniors are the most likely demographic group to develop an incapacitating illness or injury, to go into a nursing home, or to pass away, these things can happen to anyone of any age. As a result, everyone needs to talk with an elder law attorney.
At the Law Offices of Kobrick & Moccia, our legal team provides advice to people young and old in Garden City and surrounding areas. When you are ready to take control of protecting your assets, securing your autonomy in case of disability, and providing for your loved ones, give us a call at 800-295-1917. We can put together a personalized plan for you and can answer general questions you may have including:
- What does an elder law attorney do?
- Do I need to talk with an elder law attorney?
- How can a Garden City elder law attorney help me?
What Does an Elder Law Attorney Do?
The job of an elder law attorney is to provide assistance with planning for aging, end of life issues, and for death. This means:
- Creating a plan for what kinds of healthcare you want in an emergency situation. Using a living will, advanced directive, and a healthcare power of attorney can make it possible for you to decide what kinds of care you want. You can specify if you wish to undergo CPR, be on a feeding tube, or otherwise have life-extending care provided. You can also decide who will make healthcare choices for you if you can’t communicate.
- Creating a plan for who will manage your assets if you can’t. There is a very real chance you could become incapacitated due to illness or injury. This could make it impossible for you to pay bills, run a business, manage investments, or take care of your property and assets. By naming someone to act for you and take care of your property, you can protect the value of your nest egg.
- Creating a plan for how nursing home care should be paid for. Many people end up spending some time in a nursing home at some point in their life. Private insurance and even Medicare usually won’t pay for this, except under limited circumstances when skilled medical services are needed. If you require custodial care and can’t get insurance to cover it, you could be forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of your own money. When you no longer have any resources, Medicaid will pay for the cost of nursing home care. If you create a Medicaid plan so your assets don’t have to be spent down before you become eligible for Medicaid, you can protect your nest egg and the inheritance you wish to leave behind.
- Creating a plan for the transfer of assets upon your death. You may want to try to avoid probate, or may want to address the special needs that your heirs have. This could be especially important if your heirs are careless with money or if you want to leave money to someone who has a disability. An elder law attorney helps you use wills, trusts, and other estate planning tools.
These are just a few of the many things elder law attorneys do. Elder law matters are important issues for people of all ages, so it is not only seniors who should talk with an elder law attorney.
Do I Need to Talk with an Elder Law Attorney?
You need to talk with an elder law attorney if you haven’t already, or if you don’t have a comprehensive plan in place for your future. This is true for everyone of all ages. If you care about providing a legacy for your family, avoiding unwanted medical care, shielding your family from tough healthcare choices, and making sure your children are cared for and your assets are protected, you need to get legal help.
How can a Garden City Elder Law Attorney Help Me?
At the Law Offices of Kobrick & Moccia, we pride ourselves on making sure that clients in Garden City, Hauppauge, Harrison, and surrounding areas of Long Island can create a secure plan for their future. This means making full use of all legal tools to protect yourself in case of incapacity or death.
It also means taking the necessary steps to ensure your family members are protected in times of adversity or after you are gone. To learn more about the specific services our Garden City elder law attorneys can provide and to get help with your personalized plan, give us a call today at 800-295-1917.
