Elder Law In St. Clairsville, Ohio
Aging comes with its own complexities: worries about health, the financial burden of long-term care, and the desire to protect and preserve your wealth. These concerns can seem overwhelming, but an Ohio elder law attorney can guide you through these legal matters.
At Jarvis Law Office, we are committed to helping St. Clairsville, Ohio residents age gracefully and confidently. Contact our elder law attorney today to address your concerns and plan for a worry-free future.
Elder Law Explained
Elder law is a focused area of legal practice that focuses on addressing the unique needs and concerns of older adults and their families. This field encompasses a wide range of legal issues, including estate planning, long-term care planning, guardianship, Medicare and Medicaid, retirement benefits, Social Security, age discrimination, and elder abuse. Elder law attorneys are well-versed in the many complex laws and regulations governing these matters and strive to help seniors and their families navigate the legal system to protect their interests, preserve their dignity, and ensure access to appropriate care and resources.
When Should I Connect with an Elder Law Attorney?
Itโs never too early to start planning for whatโs ahead. Individuals or families should consider seeking an elder care attorney when they begin to anticipate a need for long-term care of a loved one, or if they are wondering about how to qualify for government benefits, set up a trust, or are concerned about asset protection. A focused elder law attorney can address these and many other concerns and help ensure that your wishes are carried out as intended.
Elder Law Services
Our Ohio elder law attorneys can assist you with a range of needs. Our practice areas include:
- Advance Directives
- Asset Protection
- Avoiding Probate
- Business Succession Planning
- Care Navigation
- Charitable Planning
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Estate Tax Planning
- Long-Term Care Planning
- Medicaid Planning
- Memory Care Planning
- Powers of Attorney
- Probate
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Administration
- Veterans Benefits
- Will and Trust Planning
At Jarvis Law Office, elder law is our primary focus. Contact us today to discuss your needs.
How To Plan For Incapacity
You have likely heard horror stories of family members who had to petition the court for guardianship after a loved one became incapacitated. As you can imagine, thatโs emotionally challenging for the family members and the incapacitated individual. Fortunately, your St. Clairsville, Ohio elder law attorney can help you plan for incapacitation. Then, if you become incapacitated, someone can step in to make decisions for you without going to court. The transition is seamless, so you wonโt have to worry about court battles and conflict among your family members.
Your St. Clairsville elder law lawyer will present your options to you, which include the formation of a financial power of attorney and a health care power of attorney. These instruments allow you to name someone to handle your financial and health concerns. Identifying the right person to oversee your health care decisions and manage your finances can be a tough choice. Thatโs why itโs recommended to get advice from an Ohio elder law attorney to help you select the right decision-maker based on your circumstances. Your lawyer can also help you find an alternate decision-maker if your first choice is not available.
Long-Term Care Planning
Long-term care is relatively inexpensive with the right elder law plan in place. If you donโt have an elder law plan in place, you may end up losing your life savings to the high cost of long-term care. By having an elder law plan in place, our attorneys can help protect your nest egg for anything you or your spouse may need for the remainder of your lifetimes, while also receiving the professional care you need.
Fortunately, an experienced St. Clairsville, Ohio elder law attorney can assist with long-term care planning. Properly structured long-term care planning will allow you to protect the majority of your assets while still receiving the right care for your situation. In addition, you can name family members or beneficiaries to receive your assets when you pass away.
Your elder law planning attorney will help you to review all the long-term care options so youโll be ready to take the next steps to plan for long-term care.
Wills And Elder Law
Your St. Clairsville, Ohio elder law attorney can also draft or update your will. You can use your will to make charitable donations and leave assets to your loved ones. You want to make sure the will is legally binding and will hold up if anyone contests it during probate. Your attorney will ensure the conditions are met so your last will and testament will honor your wishes.
Trusts And Elder Law
Your elder law attorney can help you choose and customize the right trust for you. Our St. Clairsville, Ohio team of attorneys will help you fund the trust as well. You can use your trust to eliminate the costs, frustrations, and delays of probate; and protect assets and your beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries will receive the property in a trust so that no one can take it away from them. There are numerous types of trusts available. Your attorney will discuss the best options for your estate plan.