Missouri seniors have unique legal needs and challenges; meeting these requires a wide breadth of knowledge of federal and Missouri laws. The right Chesterfield, MO, elder law lawyer can help you enjoy your retirement and everything you’ve worked so hard for, helping you with everything from Medicaid planning to creating estate plan documents to preserve assets for your heirs or ensure a steady stream of income after you stop working. The legal team at Legacy Law Center handles these issues, plus the more delicate ones, such as those concerning elder abuse and neglect or questions of a guardianship for an older adult. Contact our firm today – we’re prepared to create the right legal strategy to meet all of your needs.
What Does A Chesterfield Elder Law Lawyer Do?
Many older adults may live for decades past their retirement age, and so may require thoughtful anticipation and foresight for Medicaid planning, estate plans, and other legal advice to ensure that they’re protected and provided for. Elder law is a unique area of focus that addresses all the needs of a senior citizen, not just estate planning.
An elder law attorney may work with families or senior citizens to determine if a guardianship of an older adult is appropriate, representing either the family or the adult as an attorney ad litem. An elder law attorney may also pursue action against perpetrators of elder abuse and fraud.
At our firm, we handle all the needs of seniors, from helping you navigate the Medicaid application process to retirement planning, investment advice, and protection from scams or other financial abuse.
Estate Planning To Make Your Golden Years More Comfortable
Estate planning is a vital part of elder law. It’s much more than just writing a will. An estate plan can help you preserve assets yet still be eligible for Medicaid, set up trusts to protect your home, or ensure you have a steady income to supplement your pension and designate someone you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf. Without an estate plan, you would not be able to advocate for yourself.
Estate planning also considers end-of-life needs, such as establishing a durable Power of Attorney (POA) to manage your finances or make healthcare decisions should you be ill or infirm. We can help you learn about these protections and educate you and your designated representative about the duties and obligations of the POA or other legal representative.
Get Started With A Personalized Consultation Today
Do you need help figuring out when to apply for Social Security or Medicaid? Maybe you haven’t gotten around to writing a will, but realize that you probably should. From estate planning to protecting you from abusers who prey on the elderly, trust the attorneys at Legacy Law Center to meet all your needs. We work with you and your family to address your specific needs, taking the time to understand your goals and other considerations. Contact our firm today for a personalized consultation with an experienced Chesterfield elder law lawyer.
How Elder Law Lawyers Can Help With Healthcare Directives
Working with a Chesterfield MO elder law lawyer can simplify the process of creating and managing healthcare directives, making sure we have all the necessary details in place. Healthcare directives are essential legal documents that allow us to outline our preferences for medical treatment should we become unable to make decisions ourselves. These documents provide peace of mind, ensuring that our wishes are respected during critical times.
Creating A Clear Healthcare Directive
One of the most important aspects of a healthcare directive is its clarity. We need to be sure that our preferences are expressed in a way that leaves no room for ambiguity. An elder law attorney is instrumental in drafting these documents to align with legal requirements while ensuring they accurately reflect our wishes. They can guide us through the specific sections that need to be included, such as life-sustaining treatment options, pain management preferences, and instructions for organ donation.
It’s easy to overlook certain details when preparing a healthcare directive on our own. Legal professionals can help us identify those critical elements that we might miss, ensuring the document is thorough. With a properly drafted directive, we can avoid unnecessary stress for our families and medical teams when the time comes to honor our decisions.
Appointing A Healthcare Proxy
Another key component of healthcare directives is appointing a healthcare proxy or power of attorney. This person will make medical decisions on our behalf if we are unable to do so. Choosing the right individual for this responsibility is crucial, and it’s equally important to clearly define the extent of their authority.
An elder law attorney can help us understand the responsibilities involved in this role and ensure that we communicate these responsibilities to the person we choose. By outlining the scope of authority clearly, we minimize the risk of disputes or confusion later on. Experienced attorneys will also help ensure that this designation is legally sound, reducing the possibility of challenges to the directive.
Regularly Updating Healthcare Directives
Our healthcare preferences may change over time, especially as new medical treatments become available or our health conditions evolve. Regularly reviewing and updating our healthcare directive is an important part of making sure it still reflects our wishes. Chesterfield elder law lawyers can help us stay on top of these updates, ensuring that any changes are properly documented and legally binding.
When we have an existing healthcare directive, we might not realize how frequently we should review it. Legal professionals often recommend reassessing it after significant life events, such as a change in marital status, diagnosis of a new medical condition, or the birth of a child. By keeping this document current, we ensure that it always serves its intended purpose.
Get Started On Your Healthcare Directive Today
Planning for the future may not always be easy, but it’s necessary. Working with a Chesterfield elder law lawyer to draft a healthcare directive can give us peace of mind knowing that our medical wishes will be respected. Contact our award-winning, experienced attorneys at Legacy Law Center today to discuss how we can help you create or update your healthcare directive, ensuring your preferences are always known and followed.
