Nazareth, PA Elder Law Attorney

Seniors become more vulnerable as they age – physically but also financially and legally. Because today’s seniors are living longer than ever before, they will also need to be protected, and protect their hard-earned money, for longer. Whether you are a senior preparing for retirement or already dealing with issues in retirement, or you are the caregiver of such a senior, our experienced Nazareth elder law attorney can help you minimize or eliminate risk by getting all of the correct paperwork in place. Call Daly Law Offices today to schedule a free consultation and learn what we can do to provide peace of mind during the golden years!

What Is Elder Law?

Elder law is an umbrella term for many different areas of law that specifically pertain to people over the age of 65, their caretakers, and their families. It mostly involves complex legal documentation and planning, though it can sometimes involve court hearings or disputes. An elder lawyer is someone who focuses on these matters and who can help you navigate them with confidence. 

Our Compassionate Nazareth Elder Law Attorney Can Assist You With…

Estate Planning

Estate planning refers to the legal process of getting your affairs in order – of planning who will inherit your assets and possessions, and how and when that will be distributed, upon your death. Estate planning also includes preparing for the possibility of who will make decisions for you, what those decisions will be, and how your assets will be managed if you become incapacitated and aren’t able to make independent choices. Many people think that all they need to provide for their families is a will, but a will alone only takes effect upon your death, doesn’t provide extensive protection of assets, and will still need to undergo probate (an expensive, time-consuming, and burdensome court process) before your family can inherit. A comprehensive estate plan should include a will, a trust, an advance directive, a power of attorney, beneficiary designations, and more!

Guardianships

Some seniors will reach a point where they are no longer able to care for themselves, live alone, or make decisions on their own. At that time, a guardian can be appointed as their legal caregiver. The guardian will be responsible for determining where the senior will live and who will live with them. They will arrange their medical care, manage their finances (or arrange for the management of their finances), and will also be responsible for their social and emotional well-being. Becoming a guardian to an elderly adult is a big step in life. It is also a big step legally, and it can be expensive – you need to petition the court to do so and there is a lot of paperwork involved. Daly Law Offices can explain your options and lead you to a quicker, more efficient result. 

Long-Term Care Planning

Perhaps one of the most urgent elder law issues is long-term care planning, also known as Medicaid planning. Most seniors living in today’s modern times – about 70% of seniors over the age of 65 – will need to enter a nursing home at some point in their lives. However, the cost of nursing home care, which can amount to as much as $100,000 or more every single year,  isn’t covered by most private insurances or by Medicaid (a fact which is unbeknownst to most adults). That means that unless you can qualify for Medicaid – a government financial aid program with incredibly strict income and resource requirements – you either face losing your life savings to the nursing home or becoming a financial burden on your family. 

Our knowledgeable Nazareth elder law attorney is intimately familiar with the intricacies of Medicaid law, both at the state and federal levels. He can help you understand what you need to do to move assets outside of your name so you can qualify for Medicaid, create trusts and other tools that will accomplish your goals, assist you with the involved application process, and even help you appeal a rejection if necessary. 

Government Benefits

Navigating income and earnings are a large part of elder law. When seniors can no longer work, they need to apply for or receive government benefits such as Medicare, Social Security, disability, and veteran’s aid. As with anything related to the government and to financial issues, it can be difficult to understand what is available and what you need to do to in order to ensure you are financially secure well into your 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s. We can assist you with every aspect of financial planning and even tax planning so you don’t have to worry about your wealth being vulnerable to taxes, creditors, court costs, long-term care, or anything else. 

And More. 

Why Choose Daly Law Offices To Represent You?

Elder law is complicated. Besides the fact that few seniors have the energy or time to deal with these matters, most seniors also lack the legal knowledge that an attorney has that can make a difference when it comes to doing everything correctly. Even simple and innocent mistakes can have massive legal repercussions, and affect families of seniors for decades to come. The best way to guarantee that everyone you love and everything you have worked for is safe is to enlist the assistance of a Nazareth elder law attorney who can lead you every step of the way to the outcome you want. 

Joshua N. Daly of Daly Law Offices has over 15 years of experience helping elderly adults in Pennsylvania get the best legal advice and guidance possible. His firm is dedicated to professional integrity and practical solutions for all clients. His reputation and experience has earned him membership in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Pennsylvania association of the same (PAELA), which are two prestigious groups of the highest quality elder law firms. He was also awarded the Lawyers of Distinction in 2022. You can trust him to offer you the best representation! Call today to schedule a free consultation where you can learn more about your next steps and get your questions answered.