Do I need an estate planning attorney? The answer might be yes for many reasons. Such attorneys help seniors through legal situations and can help soon-to-be seniors with legal planning. Here are some reasons to seek the assistance of an elder law attorney in Virginia.
Estate Plans
Creating an estate plan can help keep assets out of probate. The plan typically involves reviewing beneficiary and co-ownership of assets, wills, powers of attorney, advance medical directives and oftentimes a revocable living trust. The plan is an essential part of preparing, and can save your loved ones time, effort, and money.
Hiring an estate planning attorney can help with this process. They can prepare documents and make sure your plan complies with any changes in the law while providing advice in related areas.
Financial Exploitation
Unfortunately, with elderly people, there is a significant risk of financial exploitation. Seniors can fall victim to scams and frauds. The best way to avoid elder fraud is through education, open communication, and strong privacy measures. If your elderly loved ones call you about something regarding money, listen to them. You may be the only thing preventing a stranger from accessing their financial information.
Medical Malpractice
Many elderly citizens need extensive medical care. However, they don’t always have access to the best care possible. It’s hard for them to travel longer distances, so they usually settle for whatever is closest. For this reason and others, malpractice issues come up quite often. If you find yourself in a situation where this has occurred to you or a loved one, an estate planning and elder law attorney can help.
Power of Attorney
Many elderly people choose to have healthcare or financial power of attorney, naming a trusted person to make financial or health related decisions. This is especially important for individuals with diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s. An elder law attorney can help you with all of this, as well as Medicaid and Medicare implications.
Hire an Estate Planning or Elder Law Attorney Near Me in Fairfax Virginia
Hiring an estate planning or elder law attorney can help you with many of the matters described above. Don’t be caught off guard, start your planning now. Schedule a consultation today with Cook, Craig, and Francuzenko to learn more.
