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Tips for Choosing Legal Counsel for Seniors

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Elder law attorneys work with seniors or people taking care of elder family members on legal issues that older citizens face with age. They help elder adults plan for the future, protect assets, and ensure they have all correct legal documents based on their state.

Tips For Seniors Looking For Legal Counsel

Get referrals

This is a simple and reliable way to find an elder lawyer attorney. Ask for people who have worked with the professionals to recommend you to the best one they worked with.

These referrals can come from other family members, workmates, or friends. It is best to get a referral from someone who has similar legal issues as yours. You can also get referrals from accountants, financial advisors, fiduciaries, and other professionals who constantly work with elder law attorneys.

Visit the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

NAELA is an organization of lawyers specializing in elder law plus special needs planning. They have a website with an attorney finder, making it easier to find an attorney from your area.

Check their credentials

Visit your state's State Bar Association website. That helps you find attorneys through their bar number or name to determine if they have an active license to practice. It also tells you if they have faced public disciplinary.

It also helps to work with an attorney designated as a CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney) by the National Elder Law Foundation. That shows they have met licensing requirements and have specific experience in elder law issues. It also indicates they are dedicated to continuing their elder law education.

Examine their experience

Find out how long the elder law attorney has offered elder law services. More importantly, ask how many clients they have worked with similar needs as yours.

Read reviews and testimonials

Customer testimonials on the attorney's website, Google, Glassdoor, Yelp, or BBB tell you the attorney's reputation among past clients. It also tells you about what set them apart and their red flags.

Meet for a consultation

Many elder law attorneys offer a free initial consultation to clients. Use this to learn things you would not have learned during your online research.

You learn about their style, working processes, communication skills, and availability for future meetings. It also helps you see the condition of their offices and interact with other staff members.

Visit several attorneys and present them with a similar situation to see who responds best. Ensure you take notes for further comparison.

Check their customer service

Based on phone conversations and in-person consultations, determine if the attorney is professional, polite, follows through with things, and takes time to explain matters.

Benefits Of Having a Lawyer As An Elder Adult

While some might consider hiring an elder law attorney an extra expense, they help bring peace of mind to seniors and their families by helping with the following.

  • Comprehensive expertise, knowledge, and experience
  • Legal representation and advocacy
  • Tax planning
  • Estate planning (wills and powers of attorney)
  • Medicare and Medicaid advocacy
  • Financial planning
  • Long-term care planning
  • Social security planning
  • Special needs planning
  • Asset preservation and transfer
  • Medicare, disability, and Social Security claims and appeals
  • Estate administration and probate, including debt and tax payment plus distribution of assets and property
  • Fraud recovery and elder abuse protection
  • Long-term health insurance plus supplemental insurance claims and appeals

Importance Of Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is key for small businesses. It helps protect them from claims that they caused property damage or physical harm. Without the coverage, businesses would have to settle the claims out of pocket, which could result in a huge financial crisis.

Many businesses have general liability insurance, also known as comprehensive general liability insurance or commercial general liability insurance. It protects the business in case of claims that they cause reputation damage via libel or slander, damaged somebody’s property, or injured someone.

General liability insurance is only one liability coverage type. Therefore, it will not cover all kinds of liability claims. Below are the benefits small business owners enjoy from liability insurance coverage.

  • Legal compliance
  • Contractual requirements’ compliance
  • Professionalism and credibility
  • Financial protection
  • Personal liability protection
  • Legal defense cost coverage
  • Property damage and medical expense coverage
  • Risk management

Before choosing a liability insurance company, compare their costs, what the insurance covers, and their claim limits.

Conclusion

Having an elder law attorney helps bring peace of mind because elders and their loved ones can rely on the professional's expertise and knowledge in all legal matters. Besides helping with paperwork and protecting the older adults' properties, they ensure they are protected and live in a safe and comfortable environment.


Written By

Brittany Cotton

Brittany Cotton is an article writer that focuses on health, wellness, and business. In her free time, you can find her reading, writing, and trying new recipes.


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