Do You Need An Elder Law Attorney?

By Jennifer Cona, Esq. Originally published in the July issue of Long Island Press, Power of Your Attorney.

Are you concerned with your future health care needs and your financial welfare as you age? Do you worry about spending all your money on the costs of home care or nursing home care and/or being a burden on your children? Then you need to hire an Elder Law Attorney.

Elder Law is a specialized field of law that addresses the unique legal issues affecting older adults as they age, including Asset Protection, Medicaid Planning, Medicaid Applications, Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Veterans Benefits, Advance Directives, and more. The goal is to plan for long-term health care needs, thereby ensuring financial well-being and quality of life.

If you have wondered: “What can an Elder Law attorney do for me?” take this 5 question quiz:

1. Have you updated your Will in the last 5 years?
2. Have you protected assets in case you need home care or nursing home care?
3. Do you have a Living Will, Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney?
4. Have you taken steps to protect your home?
5. Are you willing to spend one-half or even all of your assets on the cost of your care?

If you answered “No” to even one of these questions, it’s time to see Cona Elder Law!

Asset protection planning is the process of safeguarding your assets in advance of a long-term health care need so that your hard-earned money can pass to your loved ones. Medicaid Planning means protecting assets by securing eligibility for government benefits. Early planning is key. The current look-back period for Medicaid nursing home benefits is 5 years.  A look-back period for Medicaid home care benefits is expected to be implemented within the next year.

A knowledgeable, reputable Elder Law attorney is worth her weight in gold. Your health, well-being and financial security is at stake. Your loved ones’ inheritance is at stake. Not only do you need an Elder Law attorney, you need an experienced one.  Look for an Elder Law attorney or firm that ONLY practices Elder Law. The laws are constantly changing and the attorneys need to be dedicated to this area of law 100% of the time, like the experienced and compassionate attorneys at Cona Elder Law.

Jennifer B. Cona, Esq. is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law, an award-winning law firm concentrating in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law.  The firm has been ranked the #1 Elder Law Firm by Long Island Business News for eight consecutive years. For additional information, visit www.conaelderlaw.com.