What is Elder law?
Elder law is a legal term intended to cover an area of legal practice that focuses on issues affecting an aging population.
Three major categories make up elder law.
- Traditional estate planning including tax issues;
- Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration benefits, disability and other long-term care issues; and
- Court appointed guardian and conservator caregivers.
Elder law emphasizes planning to incorporate legal methods to protect an aging individual and their family. Elder law includes wills, trusts, guardianship and conservatorship court proceedings, protecting against elder abuse, end-of-life planning, retirement planning, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, and how to pay for long-term care. Long term care planning includes public benefits, surrogate decision-making, the conservation, disposition and administration of seniors’ estates and the implementation of their decisions.
Certified in Elder law attorneys also can help coordinate with other professional and non-legal resources available to meet the needs of seniors.
Susan M. Graham is a specialist in Elder Law as she is a Certified Elder Law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation and an accredited attorney with the Veteran’s Administration. Contact us today to help you clarify the best plan for you.
