One of the primary tasks in the elder law field is to help seniors, people with disabilities, and their families plan for issues that often arise with advanced age, illness and incapacity. BB&C works closely with clients and with other professionals to develop health and personal care planning, as well as draft documents to provide authority to a trusted friend or family member to handle financial matters or to make health care decisions when a senior is unable to do so. We can create or advise on a variety of special or supplemental needs trusts to protect people with disabilities from disqualification for need-based government benefits. In addition to asset protection, we work to maximize our client’s quality of life and the life of their loved ones.
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The elder law professionals at BB&C focus on the needs of elderly and disabled clients, using various legal tools and techniques to meet clients’ goals efficiently, legally, and holistically. We may help one client with estate planning; another with planning for sound financial and healthcare decisions after mental incapacity; yet another with planning for long-term care needs, including nursing home care.
The elder law attorneys at BB&C know the law on a variety of issues, including health and long-term care planning, surrogate decision-making (that is, when the client has appointed someone to make financial or health decisions when the client is unable to), public benefits (including Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and the Veterans Administration), managing diminished capacity (such as when the client can no longer think clearly), and conserving and administering the older person’s estate (including wills, trusts, and probate). In advising about these matters, the attorneys at BB&C know about the tax consequences of alternative courses. In addition, elder law attorneys must be able to recognize cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older client.
To help clients holistically, BB&C is also familiar with professional and non-legal resources and services that are publicly and privately available to meet the needs of older or disabled persons. We can then refer clients to these resources, which may include adult day care centers, community transportation, and food services. Elder law encompasses more than just legal planning; it deals with a larger realm of life planning.
Clients commonly include families concerned about a parent’s long-term care and nursing home care; families with an older member whose ability to think clearly and live independently is diminishing; older people wanting to ensure that wishes are respected when their health deteriorates; families struggling with retirement or housing decisions, contracts, and expenses; and families or seniors faced with issues of age discrimination, exploitation, or abuse. Regardless of the need, BB&C can help.