What Are Senior Citizens Lawyers And How Do I Choose One?
Senior law attorneys handle a wide range of legal matters affecting the elderly or disabled. This includes concerns like care planning, guardianship, retirement, Medicare, taxes, living wills, estate planning, and housing issues, among others. This is a new concept for many people, and it is actually a fairly new category in the legal field. If you are new to the idea, you may wonder why it is important to find someone to represent you or your loved one.
Who are the attorneys for the elderly?
They must be licensed to practice in one or more states, practice for five years or more, and have completed 45 hours of continuing education in this area over the past three years to be certified by the National Elder Law Foundation for this type. of practice. They must also pass a certification exam.
Do I really need one?
Senior law attorneys are good for people who need help to overcome the extreme complexities of federal taxes, property matters, Medicare / Medicaid, and social security. Your attorney can help advocate for the best next step, and they can also make sure you are taking the next step legally. They can also be a compassionate, but not overly emotional, counselor, helping to prepare trusts, wills, and end-of-life plans.
How do I choose the right person for my needs?
If you or your loved one have a specific case, such as age discrimination, disability, mental health issues, social security, or an abuse case, you may want to consider hiring someone who has experience in your area. If you are looking for a more general service, ask if they have had customers similar to you or your loved one. Ask them what results can be expected if you hire them, or how other cases similar to yours have turned out. You also need to make sure they are very familiar with your state statutes, which usually change all the time. Finally, find out if they are members of an organization that is specifically related to your needs.
How much is it going to cost me?
Rates can be assessed in many different ways. Ask up front how much and how often you will be billed. Some will wait for payment biweekly, others monthly, and others will ask for payment at the end of the job. Some charge a flat rate, while others will want to be paid by the hour and may also bill for paralegal or research hours. Also, ask about any additional costs you may be charged for things like copies, postage, or court fees.
Once you choose one of the available senior law attorneys to represent you or your loved one, be sure to get your arrangement in writing so that your mutual expectations are clearly expressed. This is important because of the type of work you will be doing. You should feel comfortable with the person you have chosen to help you navigate these difficult waters.