As we age, we often grapple with the uncertainties of our health, the expense of long-term care, and the preservation of our hard-earned wealth. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but with the guidance of an elder law attorney in Columbus, Ohio, these concerns can be effectively addressed.
At Jarvis Law Office, our mission is to help residents of Columbus, Ohio handle their golden years with grace and assurance. Reach out to our experienced elder law attorney today to start planning for a worry-free future.
What is Elder Law?
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, asset protection, 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?
It’s never too early to start planning for what’s 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. An 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.
Planning 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, that’s emotionally challenging for the family members and the incapacitated individual. Fortunately, your Columbus, 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 won’t have to worry about court battles and conflict among your family members.
Your attorney will go over your options, including creating a financial power of attorney and health care power of attorney. You can use these documents to name a person or people to manage your financial and healthcare affairs. Choosing the right person to make your health care decisions and manage your finances is a daunting choice. It’s advisable to consult an Ohio elder law attorney to help you name the right decision-maker for your situation. Your attorney will also help identify an alternate decision-maker to step in if your first choice isn’t available.
Long-Term Care Planning
Long-term care is relatively inexpensive with the right elder law plan in place. If you don’t 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 Columbus, 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 you’ll be ready to take the next steps to plan for long-term care.
Wills And Elder Law
Your 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 Columbus, 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.
