As the population ages and our elders encounter difficult financial, legal, and healthcare situations, the need for comprehensive planning has become evident. In this context, the role of professionals focused on these issues with a specific focus on elders becomes paramount. Certified elder law attorneys (CELAs) are equipped with the expertise to navigate the unique challenges that seniors may face. Understanding Elder Law: Elder law is a branch of legal practice that focuses on the specific needs of older individuals. CELAs are well-versed in a variety of legal areas that directly impact sen ..read more

Life estates are often used by attorneys to pass real estate to the next generation outside of the probate process. However, keep in mind that there are potential problems and risks to understand before creating a life estate. Even attorneys are often unaware of the issues surrounding life estate deeds. Continue reading to determine whether a life estate might be right for you. What Is a Life Estate? In a life estate, two or more people each have an ownership interest in a property, but for different periods. The person holding the life estate – the life tenant – possesses the property during ..read more

Q: My loved one was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I am overwhelmed with all that we are facing now. Where do we even begin? A: This is everyone’s worst nightmare! But, do not fret; we have a solution for you. First and foremost you need a plan, a life care plan, that starts with a legal and financial foundation that will provide for peace of mind as you begin the journey with your loved one. Ensuring that you have all of your basic estate planning documents in place (Financial Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Will/Trust, HIPAA Authorization form) is the first step to saf ..read more

When we talk about trusts, we talk about having a plan- what is going to happen in your life- out of the blue or after aging takes place? Do I have things set up so that my family is not overwhelmed by the details? Make sure your family is taken care of with a gameplan ahead of time. The legal document should correspond to your plan ..read more

Ask the Expert: LawyerLisa talks Elder Law Question: My spouse is sick and is starting to need a lot of care.  We can’t afford the cost of my spouse’s care forever, and I’m worried that one day soon we will run out of money. I’ve heard that I either need to become impoverished or divorce my spouse in order to get Medicaid to pay for care. Do we have any other options?   Answer: There are many options.  Unfortunately, there are very few professionals well-versed in what all the options are and which are best for your particular situation.  It’s important to make sure you fin ..read more

Ask the Expert: LawyerLisa talks Elder Law Q: I am a mother, daughter, full time employee, wife, and more. I am pulled in a million different directions trying to take care of my own family, and now my parents are having health issues and need care of their own. It’s a constant worry for me and I know I need help figuring out how best to manage it, but where do I start? A: First, take a deep breath. You have taken the first leap of faith and are asking for help. There are a lot of options and great planning techniques that can be utilized to ensure the proper care for your parents without it b ..read more

Ask the Expert: LawyerLisa talks Elder Law In this April’s Ask the Expert, Attorney, Lisa Hostetler Brown, founder of LawyerLisa, and certified specialist in elder law, shares insights to help us and our loved ones can make estate planning mistakes that could have easily been avoided. Concern: My mom got her Will on the Internet. Is she really protected? Expert Advice:  Let me explain through a cautionary tale.  You can have crappy estate planning documents you got off the internet and think you’re all set. It’s after you’re dead that the problems start. Litigation is the only soluti ..read more

Ask the Expert: LawyerLisa talks Elder Law In this March’s Ask the Expert, Attorney, Lisa Hostetler Brown, founder of LawyerLisa, and certified specialist in elder law, shares insights to help us and our loved ones navigate the elder law and long-term care maze by comparing the benefits of a will versus a trust. Concern: I have a will, but I’ve heard that I might really need a trust.  How do I figure out what is best for me? Expert Advice:  Let’s start with what these documents are and how they work.  Your will is a legal document that is submitted to the Probate Court after you ..read more

Ask the Expert: LawyerLisa talks Elder Law In this February’s Ask the Expert, Attorney, Lisa Hostetler Brown, founder of LawyerLisa, and certified specialist in elder law, shares insights to help us and our loved ones navigate the elder law and long-term care maze. Concern: My family member is not competent, but I need to help them with their finances. What are my options? Expert Advice:  This is one area where planning ahead before there are health issues pays dividends.  If your family member was smart enough to find a skilled elder law attorney to prepare a durable power of attorn ..read more

Ask the Expert: LawyerLisa talks Elder Law In this month’s Ask the Expert, Attorney, Lisa Hostetler Brown, founder of LawyerLisa, and certified specialist in elder law, shares insights to help us and our loved ones navigate the elder law and long-term care maze. Concern: I’m worried my parents might not be able to afford to pay for the care they need. What should I do? Expert Advice: It’s important to understand that there are a variety of options when planning for long term care costs. The biggest factor, aside from how much money they actually have, is how far in advance you plan. Families w ..read more