Elder Law Attorney Mountain Top, PA
As you age, your goals and needs will change. You may begin to focus more on your legacy and what you plan to leave behind for your family after your passing. You may also have concerns about your future healthcare and living situation if you become unable to care for yourself. An elder law attorney can assist you with planning for your future, no matter what it looks like.
Residents of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, have come to trust Kreisher Marshall & Associates for their elder law needs. Our firm has extensive experience handling a wide variety of elder law cases, resulting in many satisfied clients. If you need elder law services in Mountain Top, contact our law office today to speak with a board-certified elder law attorney.
What Is Elder Law?
Elder law refers to various legal issues impacting older adults and their families and the services attorneys provide to address those issues.
For example, many older adults want to maintain their autonomy for as long as possible. However, they may not have the financial resources to do so, or their family members may have concerns about them continuing to live on their own. An elder law attorney can help you create a plan to save the money you’ll need and come up with an arrangement that will alleviate your family’s concerns.
Elder law attorneys also regularly assist older adults with matters involving Medicare or Medicaid. They can help you determine eligibility, apply for benefits, and appeal denials.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Elder Law Needs
Kreisher Marshall & Associates has some of the area’s only board-certified elder law attorneys. This designation represents our commitment to providing high-quality legal services that meet the specific needs of older and disabled adults.
Our firm has also been serving the Mountain Top community since 1971, and our ties to the area go back over 140 years. We take pride in the work we do with community members and their families, and we have good relationships with nearby nursing homes and healthcare providers that we can leverage to further assist our clients.
Finally, we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to your legal needs. Our lawyers provide personalized attention and tailored solutions for every client.
Types of Elder Law Cases We Handle in Mountain Top
No matter what your elder law needs are, our team of highly skilled lawyers can handle them. From estate planning to Medicaid planning, we have the knowledge and resources to help you achieve your goals.
Estate Planning
Estate planning is a crucial component of elder law that makes sure an individual’s assets go to their heirs and beneficiaries in accordance with their wishes. Without an estate plan, your assets could be distributed to your heirs based on Pennsylvania’s intestate succession laws, which may not align with what you want.
Some of the most important components of estate planning include wills, trusts, and powers of attorney:
- Wills – A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding asset distribution, guardianship of minors, and other matters, such as your funeral.
- Trusts – A trust is a legal tool used to protect assets from probate and pass them on to designated beneficiaries. Avoiding probate is often a key part of estate planning, as it prevents creditors from taking assets before they reach your heirs.
- Powers of Attorney – A power of attorney is a document that grants a trusted individual legal authority to make financial, medical, and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Depending on your specific needs, you could include a few different types of powers of attorney in your estate plan.
Life Care Planning
Life care planning focuses on preparing you for the challenges you may face as you age, including managing your needs regarding healthcare, finances, and personal goals. While estate planning typically deals with what will happen after you die or become incapacitated, life care planning deals with everything you’ll face before that point, including deteriorating health and dwindling financial assets.
As part of your life care plan, you may consider your long-term healthcare needs. Are you currently experiencing health issues that you will continue to need care for? Does your family have a history of certain health conditions? And what options are available for you if you need to pay for unexpected medical care?
Family and friends are often an important part of a life care plan, so discussing your plans with them beforehand is important. For example, you and your family may decide that if you cannot live on your own at any point, you’ll move in with someone else.
Home Care and Nursing Home Planning
While most people like having independence, living alone as you age and experience more health problems and mobility issues can become challenging. For this reason, it’s essential to consider home care and nursing homes, such as the Mountain Top Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, as options for your future. However, these options can be expensive, which is why it’s vital to work with an elder law attorney who can help you determine what care you can afford and plan for it.
If your family has a history of dementia or other cognitive impairments later in life, there are nursing facilities that specialize in that kind of care. However, the more specialized the facility, the more it typically costs, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive plan.
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance, is a government benefit program that provides financial assistance for low-income and disabled individuals, including older adults who require nursing home care.
Without a proper Medicaid plan, individuals may have to reduce their assets to qualify for this program. However, an elder law attorney can help you structure your assets to meet Medicaid’s requirements while preserving your wealth as much as possible. Some strategies for doing this include using irrevocable trusts and spousal protections.
Contact an Elder Law Attorney Serving Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
If you or someone you love needs elder law assistance in Mountain Top, contact Kreisher Marshall & Associates to speak with a board-certified elder law attorney. During your initial consultation, we’ll review your goals and needs, explain the options available for you to achieve them, and answer your legal questions related to elder law.
Our team takes great pride in assisting clients and their families plan for the future, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Driving Directions to Our Bloomsburg Law Office
Use the following directions to reach our law office at 401 S. Market St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815:
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.
