May Home of National Elder Law Month

Since 1963, the month of May has been a time to focus on issues impacting older individuals. In 2016, this focus is on elder law and how an elder law attorney can help the growing numbers of senior citizens accomplish their estate planning goals. elder law attorney NJ

Elder law attorneys serve a crucial role by helping you or your loved ones plan for the future. This, of course, will encompass estate planning for what happens after you pass away, but it also frequently involves planning for your life, too. This is because a growing number of individuals face the risk of incapacity due to disability or a severe illness.

Given that so many elderly individuals are coping with at least one chronic condition, it is important to think about having the right documentation to allow someone else to make decisions on your behalf and to talk in greater detail about your financial plan for long-term care.

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of elder law has to do with Medicaid. Small missteps in your Medicaid planning can cause problems down the line, so it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced New Jersey elder law attorney now to develop goals and plans. In the event that you sustain a serious injury or contract a chronic illness requiring long-term care, knowing your options ahead of time and having a contingency plan can minimize the stress you experience during this time.

You can take the important first step this May by setting up a meeting with an elder law attorney to discuss your future steps. Adult children who have baby boomer parents, too, can work on their own plan and talk about options for Mom and Dad as well. Before heading into the busy summer and vacation season, make sure you can cross this project off your “must do” list. You’ll have peace of mind about your long-term plan by doing so.

 

What Are the Advantages of Working with an Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney?

When you work with an elder law attorney, you get the benefit of knowing that this individual is well aware of the laws impacting you and your loved one and is committed to helping you apply them correctly. There are clear policy guidelines associated with agencies who administer programs for individuals with disabilities and the elderly. shutterstock_250299895

An experienced elder law attorney can help you evaluate all the potential issues associated with your loved ones and to determine the appropriate strategies for assisting and protecting you well into the future. There are many common mistakes that individuals might make in the process of handling an elder law concern and this can be catastrophic as it relates to qualification from Medicaid and other aspects of long-term care.

Consulting with someone well in advance helps to address issues down the road but it can also be beneficial to form a relationship with an elder law attorney after an issue has arisen. Speaking with someone who is knowledgeable about the law and helps other clients with similar cases gives you the peace of mind that you are working with a true professional. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced elder law planning attorney in New Jersey today to learn more.

Preventing End of Life Costs from Destroying Your Estate

It’s very rare that anybody has covered all possible risks in terms of their wealth management when it comes to income and cash flow, guaranteed income, cash, investments, and the connection between long term care and your estate. If you skip planning for long term care expenses, you may find that your other wealth management tools and strategies don’t hold up to the rising cost of healthcare.

Preventing End of Life Costs from Destroying Your Estate
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The average cost per month for a long-term care facility is over $7,000. That’s why long term care planning is so essential. When a long-term care insurance policy is too expensive or not an option because you do not qualify.

There are alternatives, however. Structuring your estate in a particular manner can help you guard against the cost of long term care. Two common strategies are eliminating assets through trusts and transfers. This means that down the road, if you need to reduce your assets for Medicaid eligibility, you’ve already done most of the work. If you are confronted with a long-term care event before you have done this, you could find yourself having to “spend down” your assets anyways before government assistance kicks in, depleting your savings and forcing you to do it rapidly, which is rarely in your best interest. However, if you do it incorrectly, it has the potential to have a severely negative impact on eligibility and penalty periods. To learn more about trust planning, gifting, and other strategies to mitigate risk in estate planning, email info@lawesq.net or contact us via phone at 732-521-9455.