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Understanding What Makes Elder Law Attorneys Different

Advocating for the Elderly and Their Loved Ones

Many misunderstand what an elder law attorney does, how their practice can differ from other lawyers, and why retaining the services of one may be beneficial to them or their loved ones. As the name would imply, most broadly, elder law attorneys focus on serving the legal needs of the elderly and their loved ones.

Your potential legal needs tend to evolve as you get older. Elder law attorneys emphasize the handling of these affairs, often devoting much of their profession to understanding and navigating the relevant legal systems. They also typically aspire to offer experience in handling the sensitive challenges that can emerge when handling the affairs of older or disabled clients.

Elder law attorneys can offer a wide range of services relevant to older persons, including:

  • Estate planning, including wills and trusts
  • Financial representation and planning, including retirement and Social Security matters
  • Healthcare assistance and planning, including Medicare and Medicaid matters
  • Guardianship establishment
  • Identifying and managing nursing home or other long-term care options

Bear in mind not every elder law attorney specializes in all of the aforementioned areas. Learn more about the areas of elder law we cover at Kitzke & Canfield below.

Estate Planning

Some assume having a last will and testament is a sufficient amount of estate planning. While a will can be an excellent tool in protecting your wishes, property, and loved ones, a strong estate plan often requires additional critical documents, even for relatively simple estates. Otherwise, your estate might end up in probate court, which can not only be expensive and time-consuming but also creates an additional hardship for your already grieving loved ones.

Our elder law attorneys offer basic and advanced estate planning packages that conform to your individual needs. Both plans offer guidance in navigating the essential elements of estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and marital agreements.

Our advanced estate planning package includes more services specific to elder law, including guidance on some or all of the following:

  • Retirement Trusts
  • Medicaid/Title XIX Counseling
  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
  • Backup Medicaid Wills
  • Family Limited Partnerships
  • Creditor Protection, Grantor, and Qualified Personal Residence Trusts

Medicaid Eligibility (Title 19)

Nursing homes and other assisted living situations can quickly become expensive, so it becomes paramount to make the most of every available means of financial assistance. Medicaid offers long-term funding for such care if an individual qualifies.

Unfortunately, applying for Medicaid can be an overwhelming, confusing process. Our elder law attorneys can help you or a loved one through the application process, including the preparation of necessary documents. We can also optimize your financial assets to maintain your Medicaid eligibility.

Let an Experienced Elder Law Attorney Help Protect Your Interests

In addition to estate planning and Medicaid assistance, our elder law attorneys can provide guidance in the following areas:

  • Retirement planning
  • Conservatorship and guardianship
  • Elder abuse

While it is true that many lawyers are qualified to practice in areas of estate, retirement, and healthcare planning, an elder law attorney can bring a more comprehensive and compassionate understanding to the individual needs of someone of advanced age. You or your loved one deserve the most focused, knowledgeable, and committed advocate available. At Kitzke & Canfield, we have over 40 years of being that advocate for our Wisconsin clients. We encourage you to read more about our elder law services on our website.

Do not settle when considering a legal representative for your elder law needs. Find out what our accomplished legal team at Kitzke & Canfield can do for you. Dial (262) 387-0706 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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