The Baby Boomer generation is growing older and beginning to incur the financial costs and strains of aging. Many are caring for their own elderly parents while beginning to recognize long-term care challenges of their own. Boomers are also starting to learn first-hand that long-term care is expensive, and the resources they may have been counting on to cover costs (including private insurance or Medicare) typically don’t pay. This situation leaves many searching for alternative legal and financial options, which is where a qualified Minnesota elder lawyer can become a tremendous resource to a family in need.
A trip to see an elder lawyer in might originally stem from a desire to do some estate planning, such as the creation of a Will for example, but the attorney will be able to explain how there are a lot of other concerns that need to be approached at this particular juncture in life. Whether that means safeguarding assets from the reach of a nursing home, or creating designation documents so that family members can legally assist an older parent with their financial or medical affairs, an elder law attorney’s job is to help ensure that the physical and financial needs of the senior are met for the remainder of his or her life.
In order to find the right lawyer for your family, we recommend that you look for a quailed attorney in your area whose practice specifically focuses on:
- Planning for Public Benefits– Not all estate planning attorneys are well-versed in securing public benefits that can help pay for care, including Medicaid and Veteran’s Aid and Attendance. Complex legal planning may be needed in order to qualify, so be sure to work with someone who has experience in this area.
- Social Security – For many seniors, this is the main source of livelihood after retirement, and you want an elder lawyer who understands how to maximize it.
- Long-Term Planning – Your elder attorney should be committed to helping your loved one secure the best care possible, in the least restrictive environment possible, in the most financially expedient way possible.
As mentioned before, estate planning is also an aspect of elder law that deserves considerable attention. A Minnesota elder lawyer should be able to help you create legal documents that assist families with the management of long-term care needs, such as Powers of Attorneys, Healthcare Directives, and trusts.
Finally, an elder lawyer will be able to offer advice, and possibly even recommendations, for where to turn for other types of professionals. The attorney can offer input when it comes to things like insurance and tax planning, but he or she may recommend you get further assistance from colleagues when it’s appropriate.
All together, these professionals can form the senior’s own personal team. They can advocate when necessary, and most importantly—they can help plan ahead so that there are as few bumps in the road as possible. If you’d like to meet with our team here at Lewis Kannegieter Law, Ltd. to determine if we are the best fit for your family, please feel free to contact us. Simply call 763-244-2949 to schedule a consultation.
