What To Expect during Your First Visit with an Elder Law Attorney near You

If you have never met with an elder law attorney, it is an  essential and comforting step toward safeguarding your and your family’s future. They specialize in the unique needs of older adults and their families, and counsel them on everything from long-term care  planning to estate management. Knowing what to anticipate before that visit can help you feel ready and at  ease and can assist in planning for the legal aspects of your life.

First Consultation

Your first meeting with our Certified Elder Law Specialist should be courteous, open, and confidential. This is an opportunity to discuss concerns and  plans in a safe space. Whether you are worried about how to pay for nursing home care, protect your house or other assets from the government, protect the inheritance you will leave to your children, or you worry about protecting your children if you die or become  incapacitated, you will find the lawyer who listens to you without judgment. Many people  enter worried, but most leave feeling better, relocated, and informed.

Tells the Story and Talking About Fears

Much of your first appointment will be spent in a  long chat about what’s happening in your life right now. This conversation is the basis for  creating a custom legal plan. If you’re preparing well in advance for some far-off future date, or having to address something right now, the more candid you are, the better the legal advice you’ll receive and the more beneficial it will be Legal and Financial Papers to Review

If you have made any estate planning decisions, such as a will, trust, or an advance directive, the lawyer will review these documents with you. It can also be helpful to draw upon banking, property , and insurance issues now. These papers will supply context and allow the lawyer to determine  if you are making the decisions that are in your best interest, and if not, they need to be known. But never fear if you’re starting from zero your lawyerwill help you create a legal identity from the ground up.

Form a Personalized Action Plan

Our professional Certified Elder Law Specialist will develop an individualized legal plan based on your objectives and present circumstances. That  might range from preparing or updating documents, getting Medicaid planning started, drawing up a care plan, or protecting an exploited adult. You will get a clear description of what  each step is and why it matters. It might also be recommended that you perform these tasks within a given  period, particularly if you have any benefit eligibility and health care decision deadlines.

How to Bring a Support Person to your Appointment

Many clients also like  to bring their spouse, an adult child, or a trusted friend to the initial elder law visit. Bringing someone else along may help  you feel more comfortable, and they will be able to hear important information. This can be particularly useful when planning involves joint assets, family caregiving duties, or medical decisions that may someday include the participation of others.

The First Step: Peace of Mind

Your initial consultation with an elder law attorney should be the first step toward a proactive and mindful plan for aging. Instead of leaving your future uncertain, you are deciding to know your rights, guide the decisions that need to be made, and ensure your  wishes are honored. With the  assistance of a skilled practitioner, you will be able to clear a path through difficult issues while ensuring that the people and assets most important to you are preserved.

FAQs

1. What should you bring  to your first meeting with an elder law attorney? 

You should take any current legal papers, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, financial account statements, insurance policies, deeds to property, and any  directives such as medical documents or care plans. These will allow the lawyer to evaluate your  present position and suggest what to do next.

2. What is the average  cost for an elder law attorney? 

Prices vary depending on the services you need and the lawyer’s fee  schedule. Some lawyers may set a flat fee for standard documents, such as a will or power of attorney . At the same time, they charge hourly for more complex planning, such as Medicaid eligibility or guardianship matters. Anticipate that transparent pricing will be covered when  we meet for our initial consultation.

3. Isn’t  there such a thing as Medicaid planning? 

Yes. Among other specialties, elder law attorneys  focus on assisting individuals in protecting their assets as they become Medicaid-eligible. That means threading the needle of stringent income and asset rules, devising spend-down plans, and perhaps even establishing trusts  to lawfully retain and protect wealth.

4. Should I see an elder law attorney  when I’m still healthy? 

Not at all. In reality, the best time to meet with an elder law attorney is  before a crisis arises. Advance planning can put your legal documents  in order and make your wishes known to help avoid family discord and financial difficulty down the line.