While May celebrates Mother’s Day and Cinco de Mayo, May has also been designated as National Elder Law month by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).  Elder Law is a specialized area of law that involves representing, counseling, and assisting seniors, disabled individuals, and their families in connection with a variety of legal issues, from estate planning to long-term care issues, with emphasis on promoting the highest quality of life.

Elder Law attorney practice areas often include the following:

• Estate Planning
• Probate and Trust Administration
• Long Term Care and Asset Protection Planning
• Medicaid (ALTCS) counseling, advocacy, and representation
• Eligibility for Medicare, Social Security, and Veterans’ benefits
• Guardianships and Conservatorships
• Advance medical directives
• Elder abuse recognition and prevention
• Fiduciary representation
• Special Needs Trusts and planning

Because these areas tend to overlap, an Elder Law attorney who is conversant in all of these areas can provide the most effective legal advice. Elder Law attorneys are uniquely positioned to help navigate the complex web of rules and regulations for long-term care and health benefits.  Elder Law attorneys work with financial advisers, physicians, facilities, seniors, and families to ensure seniors receive the best quality of life possible.

In addition to helping seniors and disabled individuals, Elder Law attorneys work with clients of all ages. In particular, baby boomers and the “sandwich generation” can all significantly benefit by working with an Elder Law attorney. Whether you are concerned about providing for your family upon your death, avoiding probate, affording quality long-term care for yourself or a loved one, preserving assets, managing medical or financial matters for someone you care about, Elder Law attorneys have solutions. Unfortunately, all too often, families wait to tackle these issues in times of crisis.  

We encourage you to take a few minutes to think about Elder Law and what it could mean to you or someone you know to have the right advice and advocacy to achieve best personal and financial outcomes. This May, to educate the public about the legal options in dealing with long-term and health care planning, Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) benefits, estate planning, how to avoid Guardianship and Conservatorship, we invite you to check out our blog and attend our free special events on our calendar of events www.bivenslaw.com/events/

Each day in May we will blog on various frequently asked questions, concerns, and problems that seniors and their families face and provide practical information and solutions.  If you, a loved one, or someone you know could benefit from the advice and counsel of an Elder Law attorney we are here to help. Call 480-922-1010 or email info@bivenslaw.com  today to schedule a consultation and learn how our Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Special Needs Planning attorneys we can help you or someone you care about.