Elder Law Attorney Hazleton, PA
While aging is a natural part of life, it can be hard to confront many of the realities that accompany growing older. Instead of shying away from aging, you can prepare for it and put yourself in the best position possible to enjoy the fruits of your hard work and dedication. Elder law is a legal area that focuses on helping older individuals prepare for what’s ahead while prioritizing the unique needs of older adults.
At Kreisher Marshall & Associates, our compassionate elder law legal team understands older individuals’ needs and challenges, such as managing their estate, assets, and healthcare choices. An elder law attorney focuses on helping individuals manage their estate plans and life care planning options to maximize a person’s quality of life and independence as they age.
Elder law and life planning are unique areas of estate planning. To help you craft personalized long-term planning and asset protection options, turn to the Kreisher Marshall & Associates team. Residents in the Hazleton area can contact our office today and arrange a confidential legal consultation to find out more about the elder law tools that can benefit them.
Understanding Hazleton Elder Law
People often recognize elder law as a subset of estate planning. However, it is a broad term to describe any legal issues that affect the needs of individuals and their families as they age. Entering your golden years, you quickly find that your needs and goals change, meaning your financial needs and plans should evolve with you to help enhance your quality of life and keep you feeling independent.
Elder Law Services
Many people assume that elder law implies end-of-life planning or services. That is not the case. Elder law encompasses numerous issues that older adults can face as they move into the next stage of their lives. Some of the most common elder law services the legal team at Kreisher Marshall & Associates can help Hazleton residents address include:
- Wills – A will is one of the most common estate planning tools that can help older adults outline their final wishes. It is a legal document that specifically addresses the distribution of your assets and estate to named beneficiaries. The advantage of having a will is that you retain control over your estate. When an individual passes without a will, you and your family have no say over what happens to your property. Instead, property passes to individuals via Pennsylvania’s intestate succession laws.
- Trusts – A will can direct how you want specific assets and property distributed after death, but placing assets in a trust can help you manage your estate while alive and help family members avoid lengthy probate after you pass. A trust is a legal entity used to hold or manage assets. Numerous types of trusts exist, so it’s best to review your needs with an attorney who can find the trust structure that provides the most benefits and fewest drawbacks.
- Medicaid Planning – Medicaid planning is a vital area of elder law that you should discuss with an experienced elder law attorney as early as possible. Many older adults are shocked to learn the cost of long-term or nursing home care. Without draining their assets, obtaining quality long-term care can feel out of reach. With Pennsylvania nursing home costs expected to continue to increase, having a plan in place can help ensure elders have access to the care they need. Medicaid planning helps older adults plan for the future, protecting their assets while maintaining their eligibility to apply for Medicaid benefits to cover the cost of long-term or nursing home care.
- Power of Attorney – Aging can lead to physical and mental decline as well as an increase in significant medical conditions or injuries. It is frightening to think that when you are most vulnerable, you may have little to no say in decisions critical to your physical and financial health. Power of attorney puts the ball back in your court, giving you the power to dictate who has the legal authority to make critical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated.
- Physical and Mental Health Care Directives – Several types of health care directives exist to give you the power to voice your health care preferences in case of incapacitation due to illness or injury. The documents allow you to govern your healthcare journey pertaining to things like life support treatments and end-of-life care.
- Special Needs Planning – Older adults with special needs have unique physical and financial needs. These individuals often find themselves at risk of financial abuse that can put their physical and financial health in jeopardy. Special needs planning helps families and older adults address specific needs and goals while protecting assets without disqualifying them from receiving government benefits.
Elder law can be complicated and involves several tools that address all areas of an older adult’s mental, physical, and financial needs. In some situations, such as Medicaid planning, timing is crucial because of government look-back periods, so planning now for your future is essential.
Why Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?
Discussing the vulnerabilities we face as we age can be challenging. These may feel like uncomfortable discussions with friends and family, not to mention an attorney you’ve never met. However, communicating your wishes is the most critical thing you can do to protect yourself and remain financially stable and secure as you reach your golden years.
At Kreisher Marshall & Associates, we have been helping Pennsylvania residents for over 50 years find personalized legal solutions that meet their needs and address their most pressing concerns. Hazleton residents can count on us to deliver proactive, effective, and compassionate legal advice designed to increase their quality of life for as long as possible and give them more control over vital healthcare and financial decisions. We carefully evaluate your situation and outline which legal tools may benefit you and your family in the long run.
An Elder Law Attorney Serving the Hazleton Area Can Help You
It is never too late to start considering your legal options. The Kreisher Marshall & Associates team knows that developing a solid elder care plan can feel overwhelming due to the complexities of Pennsylvania law. Let us develop a customized plan for you and answer all your questions about elder law and how we can help protect you.
Hazleton residents can contact our office today to set up a legal consultation with an experienced elder care lawyer.
Driving Directions to Our Office
If you drive to our office from the Hazleton area, follow these detailed directions. If you need additional help, you can also contact our office anytime.
From the North:
Take PA-42 S toward Bloomsburg. Turn left onto W Main St, then turn right onto S Market St. The destination will be on the left.
From the South:
Take PA-42 N toward Bloomsburg. Turn right onto W Main St, then turn right onto S Market St. The destination will be on the left.
From the East:
Take US-11 S toward Bloomsburg. Continue onto East St, and then W Main St. Turn left onto S Market St. The destination will be on the left.
From the West:
Take US-11 N toward Bloomsburg. Turn right onto Market St. The destination will be on the left.
