Many legal uncertainties impact the care and well-being of the elderly and their families. Our elder and guardianship law attorneys specialize in developing prompt and powerful actions to resolve these complex legal problems.
Nursing Home Planning
The process of nursing home planning is the formulation of a plan that provides for a loved one’s nursing home care while preserving their assets for either their spouse’s use or their beneficiaries’ inheritance.
Medicaid
Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance) is a joint federal-state program that provides health insurance coverage, and care in a nursing home for those who qualify. Our attorneys have specialized knowledge of the Medicaid resource and income rules, transfer penalties, spousal protections, liens, and estate recovery.
Special Needs Trusts
Supplemental needs trusts (also known as “special needs” trusts) allow a disabled beneficiary to receive gifts, lawsuit settlements, inheritances or other funds and yet not lose eligibility for certain government programs that may pay for nursing home care. We can assist you with preparing these types of trusts and insure that the trust is drafted so that the funds will not be considered to belong to the beneficiary in determining eligibility for public benefits, and at the time of the beneficiary’s death the state does not have to be repaid.
Guardianships
If a loved one becomes incapable of making responsible decisions due to infirmities of aging or a mental disability, the court will appoint a substitute decision maker, often called a “guardian.” We can assist you with the legal documents and court appearances necessary to obtain a guardianship.
Conservatorships
Our Stevens Point attorneys can also assist with petitions to the Probate Court for the voluntary appointment of a “conservator,” if an individual determines that he or she is unable to manage his or her financial affairs.
Medical Directives
If you are unable to make health care decisions for yourself, you can designate someone to make those decisions for you with a Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Elder Abuse
Our elder law attorneys can discuss the legal avenues available if you or someone you love is the victim of physical, emotional or financial abuse, as well as assist you with obtaining access to resources and support.