Estate Planning and Elder Care Planning for Incapacity, Ask These Legal Questions

Estate planning and Elder Care Planning for Incapacity, both overlap when it comes to planning for incapacity, there are many legal and financial questions you need to ask.

If you've had a family member or know someone that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or another disabling health condition, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the many legal and financial questions that can arise as a result of the diagnosis. It's important to find a qualified estate planning or elder care planning atto
ey to assist you in developing a plan on how to pay for long-term care. There are questions you should ask of the atto
ey to verify their expertise, so that you feel comfortable in having them assist you with this much needed planning. Here are some questions you should ask:

Does the atto
ey charge for the initial consultation?

What qualifications does the atto
ey have to work in this area of law?

How many families has the atto
ey assisted in estate planning or elder care planning?

Are there other financial or legal professionals that refer clients to this atto
ey?

Is the atto
ey a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Atto
eys?

Is the atto
ey a member of any local elder or estate planning councils?

Who will handle your case, the atto
ey or an associate in the office?

Does the atto
ey charge by the hour or just a one time fee?

Does the atto
ey have expertise to work with Medicaid, VA benefits, and Medicare?

Beyond these questions there are other issues that need to be discussed, such as what legal documents already exist, is the person still capable of making decisions, the management of the person's financial affairs, housing options, how will care be paid for, health care guidance, and the list goes on.

You need to do your homework and take action sooner than later. Do not make the critical mistake so many families make, denying the problem and waiting until it becomes a crisis. Once it's a crisis, your options are limited and planning becomes a lot more difficult. Your atto
ey can create a plan for you that will avoid the pitfalls of trying to cut corners and handling all these matters by yourself.

If you'd like additional information on estate planning, eldercare planning, or a direct referral to qualified atto
eys who deal with this type of planning, go to www.dallasestateplanningatto
ey.com or contact me directly at 214-733-2418. Mike Landers