Some of the questions we can answer:

• Can children be liable for their parent’s nursing home costs?
• Do I have to spend down my life savings to qualify for Medicaid (Medical Assistance)?
• I only have a house, so do I really need an estate plan?
• How can I stay in my home, when I need a higher level of care?
• Do I really need a Living Trust to avoid probate?
• How can I keep control of my medical and financial issues and still get help?
• Why you may not be able to protect your assets if you don’t have a "good" Power of Attorney
• Is it ever too late to start Medicaid planning?

Long-term Care Planning and Medicaid Planning:

Long-term care planning is no longer a luxury. We are living longer and in many cases outliving our means of support. Four out of ten adults reaching age 65 will spend some time in a nursing home and many more will require home care and assistance with daily living. To assure a high quality of life in their later years, we help seniors to plan ahead and to be equipped for various scenarios.

In the case of elders able to live independently, we work to keep loved ones in the comfort of home as long as possible by accessing public and private resources to reach this goal. When a higher level of care is needed, we help families to place seniors in the highest quality care setting that their circumstances will allow. Further, we show families to work with Medicaid (called Medical Assistance) and other government programs to help pay for whatever level of service is needed.

In the case of nursing home placement, we focus on bringing about a smooth transition to the nursing home and offer the financial planning necessary so elders need not fear the loss of their life savings at this sensitive time of life.

Evaluation and Coordination of Services and Referrals in Medicaid Planning and Long-term Care Planning:

The issues affecting elders involve a wide range of professionals, we work closely with nursing home personnel, the county office of the aged, care managers, assisted living and personal care home staffs, county assistance caseworkers, social workers, financial planners, accountants, and clergy.

Traditional Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts & Powers of Attorney

In providing our traditional estate planning services, we recognize that there is often nothing "standard" or "simple" about these documents. Clients of all asset levels require documents that not only provide for their wishes when they pass away, but reflect their decisions about managing disability issues as well. Therefore Anderson ElderLaw strives to insure that each client's unique situation is reflected in his or her documents to insure their financial and personal well-being.

Estate & Trust Administration

We also provide full representation to fiduciaries administering trusts or estates. We help families navigate the legal., tax and family issues associated with the disability or death of a family member, keeping timelness and sensitivity in the foreground.

Planning for Disabled Children and Adults

Anderson ElderLaw represents clients seeking guardianship of relatives who can no longer manage their personal or financial affairs, and can assist family members of meeting their obligations once they are appointed as guardian. Also, self-settled Special Needs Trusts can be invaluable to disabled individuals who must carefully consider eligibility benefits for Medicaid and other public entitlement programs.