As people grow old, the quality of care they receive becomes
increasingly important. Many elderly individuals rely entirely on their
children, family members or other trusted individuals to take care of them.
Sometimes, this very dependence makes the elderly vulnerable to abuse and
financial exploitation by caregivers. In some unfortunate cases, the expense of
care and medical treatment becomes sidelined by disputes over property. Seniors
or the elderly can become embroiled in legal issues at the expense of their own
health and peace of mind.
To avoid unpleasant situations later in life, it is best to plan
ahead and get proper legal documents in place earlier rather than later,
especially when of sound mind. These
documents will provide documented instructions pertaining to medical treatment
and welfare, disposition of property, and other such important matters that
come with age.
Elder Law focuses on legal issues affecting the elderly. It
encompasses different areas of practice and fields of law, including the
following:
• Medicaid
• Medicare
claims and appeals
• Social
Security and disability claims and appeals
• Supplemental
and long term health insurance issues
• Disability
planning
• Use of
durable powers of attorney or living trusts
• Use of living
trusts for important health care decisions
• Conservatorships
and guardianships
• Estate planning
• Probate
• Administration
and management of trusts and estates
• Long-term
care placements in nursing home and life care communities
• Nursing home
issues including questions of patient’s rights
• Elder abuse
and fraud recovery cases
• Housing
discrimination
• Home equity
conversions
• Age
discrimination in employment
• Retirement –
use of public and private retirement benefits
• Survivor
benefits and pension benefits
• Health law
• Mental health
law
Certified elder law attorneys in Waco help elder individuals and their
families address issues related to nursing home care, estate planning documents
like Last Will and Testament, power of attorney, and trusts, including a Living
Trust. A competent elder law attorney brings expertise as well as a broad range
of experience to the table that helps cover a wide range of issues affecting
the elderly. This makes the process of planning for the future stress-free for
everyone involved.
