Attorneys Katherine A. Young and Amy J. Eddy

Our elder law and guardianship lawyers in Stevens Point are dedicated to providing solutions. Many legal uncertainties impact the care and well-being of the elderly and their families. Our elder and guardianship law attorneys are dedicated to providing solutions, and we specialize in developing prompt and powerful actions to resolve these complex legal problems.

We believe it is essential to provide the clear and simple communication necessary to properly understand your situation and the legal options available to you.

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. Our elder law and guardianship lawyers in Stevens Point will work with you to formulate a plan that considers your individual circumstances and is designed to meet your particular needs.

Medicaid

Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance) is a joint federal-state program that provides health insurance coverage to low-income children, seniors, and people with disabilities. In addition, it covers 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. We can also provide access to “pooled trusts” which pool the resources of many disabled beneficiaries, and have the added advantage that at the beneficiary’s death the state does not have to be repaid for its Medicaid expenses paid on behalf of the beneficiary.

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, but can decide to have a conservator appointed.

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. You can also give instructions to your health care provider, through a living will, to withdraw life support if you are terminally ill or in a vegetative state. We can help you decide which documents meet your needs and assist you with the document preparation. Our attorneys can also provide you with a wide variety of other estate planning services. See Estate Planning and Probate.

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.