Many of us know about the differences between a last will and testament and long-term care planning. Did you know, however, that these planning documents are typically created by different types of attorneys? Understanding the difference between the two practice areas is an important factor in determining what type of legal services you need to fit your specific needs.
We know that planning for the future can be overwhelming.
We want to share with you some of the main differences between Estate Planning and Elder Law Services.
Then you can be better informed about the type of planning you need.
Estate Planning is the process of creating a plan for the distribution of a person’s assets once they die, as well as planning who will make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
This can be accomplished at any age, which means that most Estate Planning attorneys work with clients of all ages and at all stages in life.
An Estate Planning attorney also creates important planning documents on a client’s behalf, such as a Last Will and Testament, Living Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, and Health Care Power of Attorney. These documents are too important to create without the guidance of an experienced Estate Planning attorney who can advise you about the advantages and disadvantages of certain planning documents for your specific needs.
Elder Law, by contrast, focuses on the handling of your assets while you are still alive and preparing for your retirement and end-of-life care.
An Elder Law attorney can help you create a plan for your long-term care and the protection of your assets in the event you choose to reside in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Further, an Elder Law attorney is likely to be more familiar with the challenges that come with being a senior and how to ensure you are protected as you age. This may include dealing with Medicare issues, elder exploitation issues, and filing for Medicaid or VA benefits for your benefit if necessary.
We know how challenging it can be to prepare for a time when you are no longer here. It is important, however, that you plan ahead while you still have the opportunity to do so to make sure your loved ones are protected.
When you are ready to start your planning, do not wait to contact us to set up an appointment so we can help you create the right plan for you.