What is elder law?

Elder law has many sub-categories, and each state has its own set of complex laws, regulations, and legal structures that affect its senior citizens. In New York, elder law can include legal areas such as:

Estate Planning: Estate planning is not limited to older people. Anyone can—and should—think about planning their estate at many different points in their life. However, as you get older, it becomes more pertinent to start to think about your estate and your wishes for it. An elder law attorney who is adept at estate planning can help you make certain that the things that meant the most to you wind up exactly where you want them to. They can also help pick the right sort of legal/financial structure (such as a trust) to provide a level of support for your loved ones that will give you peace of mind moving forward. Moreover, an elder law attorney can help ensure that the process of resolving your estate is as stress-free as possible. They know where common conflicts and difficulties arise in wills and trusts, and can help you mitigate them in advance.

Advanced Directives, Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Proxies: This subset of elder law allows people to make their wishes about serious medical and financial decisions clear, and to ensure that they are followed. There are many things that are not in our control toward the end of our lives. In some cases, people become physically or mentally incapacitated, and are not able to state their wishes when the time comes to make important decisions (such as, for instance, whether or not to keep them on life support in certain situations). However, legal documents like Advanced Directives allow people to state their wishes in advance, and have them followed even if they are unable to re-state them in real time. Healthcare Proxies, meanwhile, allow people to transfer the decision-making power about healthcare issues to a trusted friend or family member, while Powers of Attorney extend that trusted proxy to financial decisions. An elder law attorney can help you discern what sort of decisions you want to be made in these situations if you cannot make them yourself.

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid: As the main source of supplementary income and healthcare for many older Americans, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are vitally important areas of elder law. Unfortunately, all three programs are also incredibly convoluted and so difficult to navigate that older users often require professional assistance. These programs often become a crucial form of support to older people, especially those who require long-term care, whether at home or at a nursing facility. An elder law attorney can help you pursue the benefits to which you or your loved one are entitled.

An elder law attorney will be well-versed in all areas of elder law, and will be able to be a guide, advocate, and voice of empathetic legal counsel for older clients and their families. A truly qualified and dedicated elder law attorney will be familiar with the unique physical, financial, professional, social, and even spiritual issues that affect people as they age. Often, they will also be connected to a larger network of vetted professionals who specialize in elder-specific issues. This might include physicians, psychologists, and other medical professionals, as well as social workers, accountants, real estate agents, elder advocates, and community organizers.

Are you looking for an experienced, dedicated, and enthusiastic elder law attorney in Westbury, NY? New York Elder Law Attorney Christopher C. Haner is here to help. Attorney Haner is a skilled, knowledgeable elder law attorney who understands the needs of older Americans today. Have any questions? Give Westbury Elder Law Attorney Christopher C. Haner a call at (516) 888-5281 for a free consultation on your case today.