Elder Law Lawyers Serving Scranton

As one of northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest cities, Scranton has a significant senior population with unique legal needs. Elder law encompasses a wide range of legal services designed to protect older adults and their families as they face important decisions about healthcare, estate planning, and long-term care.

Elder law attorneys offer essential guidance to aging individuals and their loved ones, helping them prepare for the future while protecting their assets and rights. From estate planning and advance directives to long-term care options and financial protection, the key aspects of elder law can play a vital role in securing your future or that of an aging family member. Call Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, at 570-784-5211 to speak with a board-certified elder law attorney about protecting your interests or those of your loved ones in Scranton.

Core Elder Law Services

The field of elder law covers numerous legal areas designed to protect seniors and their families. Using these key services, you can better prepare for the challenges that aging often brings. Our elder law attorneys work with Scranton residents to create comprehensive legal strategies that address their unique needs in several crucial areas.

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

Estate planning helps you control how your assets will transfer to your loved ones after you die while minimizing tax burdens and avoiding probate complications. A comprehensive estate plan typically includes several key documents, such as wills and trusts, that work together to protect your wishes and your family’s future.

Our elder law attorneys can help you create a personalized estate plan that addresses your specific needs. We take time to understand your family situation, financial goals, and preferences to develop strategies that protect your assets and provide for your beneficiaries as effectively as possible.

Healthcare Planning

Making decisions about future medical care is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce stress on your family. Through advance healthcare directives, you can document your medical care preferences for times when you might be unable to communicate them yourself.

A well-crafted healthcare plan includes clear instructions about your medical treatment preferences, such as life-sustaining care, organ donation, and specific medical interventions. Unlike a medical power of attorney, where someone else makes decisions based on their understanding of your wishes, advance directives allow you to make these crucial choices yourself.

Financial Protection

As you age, having the proper financial protections in place becomes increasingly important. A durable power of attorney is a tool that gives someone you trust the authority to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. This can include handling your banking, paying bills, managing investments, and making other financial decisions on your behalf.

Our attorneys can help you understand the different types of powers of attorney and create documents that protect your interests while giving your chosen agent the necessary authority to act on your behalf.

Long-term Care Planning

Long-term care costs in the Scranton area can exceed $10,000 per month, making it essential to plan ahead for these potential expenses. Whether you’re considering nursing home care, assisted living, or in-home care services, having a solid financial strategy is crucial.

We can help you explore various options for funding long-term care, including long-term care insurance, asset protection strategies, and Medicaid planning. Early planning allows you to make thoughtful decisions about your future care while protecting your assets for yourself and your loved ones.

The Importance of Hiring a Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney

Working with a board-certified elder law attorney gives you access to specialized knowledge and experience in addressing the complex legal needs of older adults. To achieve board certification, attorneys are required to meet rigorous standards of education, experience, and ethical conduct within the field of elder law.

In Pennsylvania, only a small number of attorneys hold board certification in elder law. Attorneys Marianne E. Kreisher and Marissa B. Marshall are among this small group, and we take pride in maintaining these high standards of excellence. Our team stays current with the latest developments in elder law to provide you with comprehensive legal solutions tailored to your specific situation.

Elder Abuse Protection

Elder abuse is a serious concern for older adults and their families in Scranton. This abuse can take many forms, from physical and emotional mistreatment to financial exploitation. Our elder law attorneys work diligently to protect seniors from all types of abuse and help families recognize potential warning signs before the situation becomes severe.

Warning signs of elder abuse may include:

• Unexplained injuries or poor physical condition – Bruises, broken bones, bedsores, or sudden weight loss can result from physical abuse or neglect.

• Sudden changes in financial accounts – Unexpected withdrawals, changes in banking patterns, or additions of new signers to accounts might signal financial exploitation.

• Withdrawal from social activities – This could suggest emotional abuse, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, or fearfulness around certain caregivers.

• Unsanitary living conditions – This may indicate neglect or self-neglect, including lack of basic hygiene, medical care, or proper nutrition.

• Changes in legal documents – This could point to manipulation or undue influence, particularly if documents are modified when a senior appears confused or under stress.

Elder abuse often goes unreported because victims feel ashamed, afraid, or unable to communicate their situation. Family members might hesitate to report suspected abuse out of uncertainty or fear of damaging relationships. However, early intervention proves crucial in preventing further harm and protecting vulnerable seniors.

If you suspect elder abuse, our attorneys can help by:

• Investigating the situation thoroughly

• Gathering evidence to support legal action

• Working with adult protective services

• Seeking appropriate court orders for protection

• Helping families remove seniors from dangerous situations

• Pursuing legal remedies against abusers when necessary

Contact an Elder Law Attorney Serving Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton’s growing senior population needs skilled legal guidance to address the challenges that come with aging. Whether you need assistance with estate planning, want to establish powers of attorney, or require help with long-term care planning, the experienced attorneys at Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, are here and ready to help.

Our legal team works closely with clients and their families to develop comprehensive legal solutions that protect their rights and interests. We offer in-home, office, and virtual appointments to accommodate your needs. Contact us today at 570-784-5211 for a consultation with one of our board-certified elder law attorneys and take the first step toward securing your future.

Driving Directions to Our Bloomsburg Offices

If you would like to drive to visit our offices at 401 S. Market St. in Bloomsburg, you can find us by following these directions:

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.