Elder law is a term that you may not have heard before, as it was only established about thirty years ago. Elder law is a general term used to summarize the many legal topics that affect seniors and the elderly. A lawyer is someone who is experienced in elder legalities and can handle tasks such as advanced planning to safeguard assets, help clients understand and implement the best plans for the future, guide clients through medical applications and disputes, minimize estate taxes, and so much more.
The main purpose of hiring an elder law lawyer is to provide aging people with legal guidance, counseling for their long-term care, settling an estate, choosing retirement plans, and many other issues that older citizens may face. Because we are mortal beings after all, as we enter the age of retirement, there are going to be certain government benefits that suddenly become available to us. But determining whether you qualify for these federal programs can be challenging to do by yourself, which is why many consult with an elder lawyer who is knowledgeable in government assistance programs for seniors.
At one point or another in your life, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need help from a legal team. Your lawyer can help you start planning for your retirement future, and what you want to happen after your death. Lawyers who practice elder law have in-depth knowledge of the array of topics and issues that directly affect the senior population. To give you an example, elder law lawyers can help someone establish an estate plan. It doesn’t matter how large or small your estate is, or how much money you have in the bank, estate planning is an important tool that everyone must use so that their later days and thereafter are handled in the way they prefer. Essentially, through estate planning, a person is leaving behind instructions for how they want their assets to be distributed to those they care about upon their passing.
There are many reasons why someone may want to write an estate plan, whether that’s to appoint a guardian for their minor children, ensure pets get a happy future home, protect assets, or something else, estate planning is a great way to lay out how you want your legacy to be handled once you are no longer here. Many people appeal to the idea of having an estate plan so that their senior years are planned for and beneficiaries are set to receive their inheritance when the time comes. But many wait too long to begin writing an estate plan, usually because they don’t really want to think about a time when they are not here with those they care about. As a lawyer would advise, like an elder law lawyer at Silverman Law Office, PLLC, you don’t want to wait until you are in your senior years to start writing an estate plan, and it’s not too late to get started right now, so that you can have peace of mind while enjoying your retirement years.