Why you need a Fort Myers Elder Law Lawyer
People in Fort Myers often make the mistake of assuming that estate planning services and elder law services are the same things. In reality, the two are very different. Estate planning handles issues pertaining to the distribution of assets after your death and handling guardianship issues for your dependent children. Elder law handles issues that deal with Medicaid, health proxies, and power of attorney. In other words, elder law issues are those that must be attended to while you are still alive.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a program partially funded by state money and by federal money. It is a form of health insurance that is commonly used by elderly people who cannot pay for their own insurance, and it is often used to help find residence in a nursing home.
Filling out a Medicaid application can be complicated, and if you make a mistake you might find your application delayed for months. If you ask anyone who has ever filed for Medicaid, they will tell you that it is better to have an experienced elder law attorney fill out the paperwork for you if you want it done right.
Handling Issues If You Become Incapacitated
If you become injured or ill to the point where you can no longer speak for yourself or make decisions regarding your estate or health, then something has to be done to give you the voice you need. You might live for many years after becoming incapacitated, and it is important to make sure that there is someone in place to make the right decisions for you.
When you become incapacitated, the Florida probate courts will put someone in a guardianship position for you to take care of your affairs. Instead of leaving that decision to the courts, you can go through an elder law professional and prepare paperwork in advance that will put that guardianship in place with someone you trust.
Setting Up A Trust
Sometimes a will is not enough to be able to attend to all of the details of an estate. For example, a living trust is a way to transfer control of assets quickly and easily if the owner of the trust becomes incapacitated. Control of the trust transitions to a person of the owner’s choosing, and this is a device that any elder law professional can set up.
If you have questions about elder law or are looking for a diligent team to help put together provisions that will protect you, your family, and your estate as you get older, then contact our Elder Law Lawyers today to set up a consultation.