Easton, PA Elder Law Attorney

For seniors, planning for the future involves many different factors. From preparing for retirement to providing for future medical needs to leaving an inheritance for loved ones, seniors and their families face having to navigate complicated legal processes to ensure that they have all of their affairs in order. If you have an elder law issue that you need help with, call an Easton elder law attorney at Daly Law Offices. We offer the personalized, compassionate guidance you need to preserve your legacy and find peace of mind! Call today to book a free consultation.

What Is Elder Law? 

Elder law is an umbrella term for a wide range of legal issues that address the protection and legal needs of seniors, their caretakers, their family members, and their estates. Some of the elder law matters that Daly Law Offices frequently handles include:

Estate Planning

Estate planning establishes a road map of what will happen to your assets, your family, and yourself as you age and after you pass away. This is a critical legal step for seniors who wish to prevent their families from having to make difficult decisions about their medical care (if they can’t make those choices for themselves) and from having to face the notoriously time-consuming, expensive Pennsylvania probate process (that would otherwise have to occur when they die). 

A well-established estate plan may include customized documents such as: 

• A will 
• A trust 
• An advance directive/living will
• Legal guardianship designations
• Health care power of attorney
• Beneficiary information
• Other powers of attorney
• Letters of intent
• And more.

Creating, filing, and managing paperwork related to estate planning can be overwhelming for many seniors, and any mistakes can render the estate plan invalid. Working with our experienced Easton elder law attorney helps reduce the stress and confusion associated with the process.  

Medicaid and Medical Crisis Planning

When planning for their retirement and the transfer of their estates to their heirs, many seniors neglect to consider and plan for the potential cost of medical care. 

More and more seniors today are needing to enter assisted living or nursing care facilities at some point in their lifetime. In Pennsylvania, average costs for private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes can skyrocket to as high as $10,000 per month or more. In addition, most private insurance companies do not cover the cost of assisted long-term living, and Medicare doesn’t either. 

Medicaid can cover these costs, but there are strict income and asset limits that applicants need to meet in order to qualify, and the application process can be complicated. Many seniors find themselves in the difficult position of having too much to qualify for aid and too little to afford nursing home expenses. 

A major part of elder law practice includes helping seniors and their families establish a plan to provide for long-term assisted elder care. Our Easton elder law attorney can help you take a proactive approach and shield your assets from Medicaid so that they won’t count against your eligibility. If you are in a situation where you or your loved one did not plan ahead and you need Medicaid coverage immediately, we can explain your options for receiving benefits, and we will do everything in our power to help you. 

Daly Law Offices can:

• Answer your questions about Medicaid benefits and eligibility
• Get an accurate picture of your financial circumstances 
• Gather any necessary documentation
• Restructure your assets/Convert “countable” assets to non-countable ones through the creation of trusts and other tools
• Draft a medical power of attorney and advance directive
• And more.

Guardianship Process

A time may come in a senior’s life where they are no longer able to care for or make decisions for themselves. At this point, a local court can appoint an individual (usually a close family member, or caregiver) to serve as their legal guardian. Guardians handle medical arrangements, living needs, financial management, and social engagements for seniors. 

We can help seniors who are still independent plan for the possibility of guardianship and make their wishes known ahead of time so they can have some say over who their guardian is. We can also help families of seniors streamline the process of petitioning for guardianship when necessary, as it can take considerable time and resources. 

Applying For Benefits

Part of retirement involves managing income and earnings – essentially, a considerable amount of financial paperwork! Seniors and their families may need to apply for benefits such as:

• Social Security
• Disability
• Veterans Aid
• Medicaid 
• Medicare
• And other benefit programs.

Our Easton elder law attorney can lead seniors through these lengthy, legal applications. We can also assist with tax preparation, asset protection, and other actions that seniors may need to take in order to guarantee that they will be set up for financial success in their golden years.

Why Choose Daly Law Offices

Elder law issues can be extremely sensitive and consequential; if you live in or near Easton, PA, working with our law firm can make your experience easier. At Daly Law Offices, seniors and their families can consult with a dedicated and compassionate Easton elder law attorney who truly cares about their needs and who will work with them to lay a strong foundation for a stable, prosperous future. Attorney Joshua N. Daly has over 15 years of experience guiding families in Pennsylvania through estate planning. His skill and reputation for excellence has earned him membership of the prestigious National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PA l ELA), and Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley, in addition to being awarded the Lawyers of Distinction 2022. His knowledge and legal skills can save you time and money! Call today to book a free consultation and learn more.