"Elder law" is a term developed in recent years to encompass various aspects of legal planning on behalf of mature individuals. Embodied in this concept is the notion that careful planning of one's financial and personal affairs through the use of wills, trusts, and living wills can provide incalculable peace of mind to the client and his or her family.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

Durable power of attorneys can avoid the necessity of a court supervised guardianship if a person becomes disabled or mentally incompetent. Often, power of attorneys are granted mutually to spouses to continue personal business transactions to avoid the costs associated with guardianships.

LIVING WILLS/HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY

A properly drafted living will in conjunction with a health care power of attorney can help ensure that a person's wishes with regard to medical treatment will be carried out by others when such decisions cannot be made by the client due to mental or physical incapacity.

MEDICAID PLANNING

Federal and State governments have adopted intricate and strict guidelines with respect to how and when a person can make gifts to family members or others and still qualify for Medicaid. Inappropriate gifts or transfers of money can result in disqualification from Medicaid benefits for nursing home or other types of care.   Improper gifts or transfers can also result in the imposition of significant liabilities on the person who receives such gifts. With proper Medicaid planning these pitfalls can be minimized or avoided

PROBATE

We believe it is our responsibility to make the probate process as quick and as painless as possible. We seek to provide individualized representation to family members and other heirs.

TRUSTS

We are experienced in drafting trusts for the purpose of probate and tax avoidance.

In the case of disabled dependants, a trust can be established to ensure the proper care of a loved one over an extended period of time.

We also prepare trusts for parents with minor children. In the event of the untimely death of both parents, a properly drafted trust can postpone the distribution of significant assets to children until they are of an appropriate age.

WILLS