Monday, January 24, 2011
Is Elder Law Just Alzheimer's, Medicaid and Veterans Administration (VA) Benefit Planning? NO!
There is a difference between the solutions offered with traditional estate planning and the solutions available using Elder Law techniques.
Traditional Estate Planning clients are motivated to minimize or eliminate death taxes, a court probate of their affairs after death and decide who will receive their assets.
As an Elder Law attorney, I address the concerns of a client as they age as well as when they die. The people we help are also worried about what to do if they or their spouse has a long-term illness. Just this week I met with Betty who placed Frank, her husband, in a nursing home that is costing $10,000 per month. She was panicked about what to do because her husband has Alzheimer’s disease and will never be able to return home.
Betty did not want a traditional estate planning solution. She was desperate to know . . .
• How can she pay for her husband’s care and not end up in the poor house herself?
• Will she lose her home?
• How can she have enough income to live on?
• Where can she go for help?
The answer to the last question is easy. Betty came to see an elder law attorney who has the answers to these questions. Our goal is to help Betty and our other clients protect their income and assets, obtain quality care, and maintain their independence.
If a traditional estate plan only addresses a part of your concerns, please call my office so we can talk about how we may be able to help you.
P.S. If you have a gun, have you written down the serial number and other identifying information? My neighbors called me this week telling me my farmhouse was broken into and a shotgun was among the things stolen. The sheriff asked if I had the serial number because then it would be easy to trace if it was pawned. I had a written description, but no number in my records. Pooh! I want you to benefit from my mistake so if you have guns, make sure you have the serial numbers just in case.