When clients come to us for help with their estate planning needs, many are surprised to learn we also help with elder law. Truthfully, we have long believed these two distinct yet overlapping practice areas go hand in hand. That said, not every estate planning attorney practices elder law—and vice versa. Therefore, we can completely understand why so many individuals and families are excited to know they have found a firm that offers everything they or a loved one might need under one roof.

Furthermore, they are equally eager to learn more about elder law and what it might look like for them—now or at a point many years later. After all, Americans are living longer, meaning that the elderly population continues to grow. Therefore, elder law has become increasingly important in dealing with the issues that affect our growing aging population.

What Is Elder Law?

The National Elder Law Foundation defines elder law as “the legal practice of counseling and representing older persons and persons with special needs, and their representatives about the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning, public benefits, surrogate decision-making, legal capacity, the conservation, disposition and administration of estates, and the implementation of their decisions concerning such matters, giving due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of the action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise.” In more simplified terms, elder law addresses the legal, financial, and healthcare needs of older adults, ensuring they are protected, secure, and well-cared for as they age. 

Elder law overlaps estate planning in that they both involve preparing for the future and protecting the two most important things in your life: everything you own and everyone you love. However, elder law zeroes in on five critical areas of aging:

1. Long-term care planning — Guidance on nursing home care, assisted living, and in-home care.
2. Medicaid and Medicare — Assisting with eligibility, applications, correct enrollment times, and how to manage finances and assets.
3. Guardianship and conservatorship — Guidance on establishing legal authority on behalf of a person who is incapacitated.
4. Elder abuse — Counseling to protect seniors from financial exploitation, neglect, and abuse.
5. Advance directives — How to outline medical preferences in Living Wills and healthcare POAs.

The bottom line is that elder law is becoming an increasingly important practice area for many individuals and their families. If you have immediate age-related concerns beyond traditional estate planning, please schedule time with one of our knowledgeable and compassionate elder law attorneys. We want nothing but the best for you and your loved ones.

Call Leigh Hilton, PLLC Today!!

At Leigh Hilton PLLC in Denton, TX, we help individuals and families understand the importance of estate planning AND elder law and create a unique plan to pass their wealth, wisdom, and values to loved ones in the most efficient way possible. By working with us, you can be confident that your estate plan will be current, take advantage of the latest planning opportunities, and address your goals using an approach that makes sense to you and a strategy in which you can be confident.

Leigh Hilton, PLLC, wants to be your first call every time for any estate planning need. We look forward to serving you.