Take Control Of Your Later Years With The Help Of Our Elder Law Attorneys
The term elder law is often used interchangeably with estate planning. While important, estate planning is just one aspect of this broad legal area. Elder law encompasses a wide range of important life issues impacting seniors and their families, including financing long-term care, planning to designate decision-making authority in case of incapacity, and maximizing assets for the benefit of heirs and beneficiaries.
Working with an experienced elder law attorney is perhaps the best way to fully understand and utilize your legal options. That’s why you should contact Dumont & Watson, P.C. Our firm has been serving clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1986, and our attorneys bring more than 60 years of combined legal experience to our clients.
Providing Comprehensive Elder Law Representation And Services
When you schedule your free initial consultation with our firm, we can take the time to answer your questions about any elder law matters, including those related to:
- Medicaid planning
- Life estate deeds
- Qualified Income trusts
- Asset-protection Trusts
As people age, they often require increased nursing and medical care, and many people turn to Medicaid to pay for it. However, without a proper financial strategy, you could be deemed ineligible for Medicaid and have to pay for your care out of pocket. Ineligibility usually means that a person’s assets or monthly income is above the Medicaid limit. Even if you make more than the limit, that doesn’t mean you have the funds to pay for nursing home and medical care, which are extremely expensive.
Our attorneys understand this and can advise you about how to keep your income below the threshold through Medicaid compliant annuities, Medicaid asset planning trusts, income-only trusts and qualified income trusts. We can also help you apply for Medicaid to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. If you are an elderly veteran, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs may be another option to help pay for nursing home costs.
Protect Yourself By Planning For Incapacity
Because the risk of becoming mentally or physically disabled increases as we get older, it is important to have an advance directive in place. This document clearly spells out your health care preferences in case you cannot communicate with your doctor due to physical or mental capacity. One example of this type of document is a living will, which states what types of life-sustaining treatment you want and don’t want.
We will also prepare a health care proxy that appoints a trusted family member, friend or other person as your agent to make health care decisions on your behalf.
Another powerful legal tool is durable power of attorney. With this document, you can designate someone you know and trust to help manage your finances in the event that you can no longer manage the for yourself.
Learn How We Can Help You During A Free Initial Consultations
Making important decisions about your future can feel overwhelming. Our attorneys are here to answer your questions and provide trustworthy advice and representation. We take the time to listen, communicate clearly and address all your concerns.
Dumont & Watson, P.C., has offices in Princeton and Red Bank, New Jersey, as well as an office in Newtown, Pennsylvania. We serve clients throughout both states. To take advantage of a free initial consultation, call us at 609-991-7707 or submit an online contact form.