Most people are usually familiar with litigation, DUI, human rights, and corporate law lawyers. However, not many people today are aware of the existence and the importance of elder law lawyers. Elder law is a very broad field of law and it encompasses many smaller fields. In simple terms, elder law is related to any legal situation that affects the aged- seniors in legal terms. Such legal situations include; Social Security, Estate Planning, Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Healthcare, Medicare and Medicaid, Family Relationships, and Disability among others. Elder law lawyers are experts in this field who work hand in hand with seniors and their families helping them develop legal solutions and offering them legal advice. The main aim of this is to help provide a high quality of life for their clients.

The elderly, in many cases, can become either frail physically or mentally. This is where elder law lawyers come in with their experience and expertise in counseling, education, planning, and advocacy. They are equipped to help out the aged with several legal needs. The most common scenarios being;

Medical Planning- This involves helping seniors obtain medical benefits in order to manage the costs involved in long-term care in hospitals and nursing facilities. Elder law lawyers also help them navigate the bureaucratic processes of health insurance application, claim, and insurance recovery.

Estate Planning- This involves granting powers of attorney, will drafting and execution, creating and administrating estate plans, trusts, and drawing up medical directives. Elder law lawyers also help with issues related to probate, tax planning, asset protection, trust funds and gifting. All these help the seniors during their lifetime and even afterward. The Elder law attorney is granted legal authority to carry out the affairs of the client (a senior) acting as the principal administrator of the estate.

Guardianships and Conservatorships- When an elder is no longer in a position to make sound decisions in their financial and health issues, they can appoint an elder law attorney to act in their interest in specified situations. This should be considered before reaching the point of total incapacitation.

Elder Abuse and Age Discrimination- These are events where other people around an elder- such as family, friends, and caretakers- use undue influence, coercion, or manipulation to take advantage of their incapacitation. In such a case, an elder law lawyer can come in handy to help challenge the action in a court of law. This protects the senior from financial fraud, healthcare malpractice, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

Financial planning and retirement planning – Elder law attorneys offer guidance and support to the aged on issues related to their finances, social security, retirement planning and benefits, tax and insurance issues.

Legal Representation and Advocacy in a court of law – Like any other legal expert, elder law attorneys can represent and advocate for their clients on issues such as; insurance claims and settlements, social security claims, issues of neglect, discrimination, and elder abuse.

Other issues that can be solved with the help of such an attorney are; Long-term care planning and financing, disability planning, home equity and housing issues, asset protection, and probate issues. The ultimate goal of the attorney is to ensure that their clients get the highest quality of life possible by helping them create the best and most suitable life plans and systems.

Finding an elder law lawyer in Springfield Mo and getting into an agreement with them usually costs less than what most people expect. Hiring one can be very affordable for people in all classes. In addition, the procedures involved in hiring one are relatively easy to follow up. This makes these services very accessible and can be enjoyed by anyone.

Elder law lawyers are specially trained to assist the aged and their families; however, their services are not limited to seniors. If one is interested in drawing up a will, creating a guardianship plan for siblings, or granting power of attorney for financial and medical decisions, using the services an elder law attorney in Springfield Mo is the best thing do.

Let the professionals at  The Law Offices of Bj Richardson  help you find the professional attorney to help you with your specific needs. We don’t handle every aspect of tax law, however, we can direct you to a  professional that can handle any area of tax law that we don’t handle.

Call today for your free 30-minute consultation.

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