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How We Can Help

There is a difference between an elder law attorney and an estate planning attorney.  Estate planning attorneys focus on the optimal disposition of your assets after your death. Elder law attorneys are concerned with the best use of your assets to ensure your health and well-being while your facing the challenges of aging or disability.  This type of planning can often be a family affair, and our attorneys routinely meet with seniors and their families to discuss realistic long-term care planning. When needed, we use the services of geriatric care managers who can assess the immediate and long term needs of the senior and create a care-plan that best protects the health, welfare and dignity of the senior.  

Most people are surprised to learn that Medicare has very limited benefits to cover nursing home care. Often, they are faced with nursing home bills exceeding $10,000 per month and the frightening realization that the burden will bankrupt them unless they find an alternative way to pay for the long-term care needs for themselves, their spouse or their loved one.

ASSET PROTECTION

Nothing is more valuable than the security of knowing that your loved one with special needs will be well taken care of in your absence. A comprehensive special needs plan can maximize available assets in a way that preserves government benefits while protecting your loved one. Through the use of ABLE accounts, well drafted special needs trusts and the selection of appropriate fiduciaries, your loved one will be assured that their needs will be taken care of in a manner that protects their dignity, comfort and independence for their entire life.

Estate plans do not always need to be complicated or expensive for most people. The process can be straightforward and be completed quickly and efficiently with the help of an experienced estate attorney.  

WILLS

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES

WHO NEEDS AN ESTATE PLAN? EVERYONE NEEDS A PLAN.

Guardianship may be among the toughest decisions to make when your elderly parent or relative has reached a point when they can no longer care for themselves or make rational decisions. With a deep appreciation for how difficult and sensitive situations like these are, our attorneys can provide you with the guidance you need. Our attorneys can make sure that your and your loved one’s interests are protected.

WHAT IS GUARDIANSHIP?

Whether you have already been appointed and issued a Letter of Administration or are starting from scratch, our attorneys can help you.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES?

In 2009 the Maryland legislature extended certain legal protections to unmarried people sharing a household who have agreed to live together in a state of mutual interdependence. Domestic partners are recognized as surrogate health care decision makers and are exempt from inheritance taxes on the share of the primary residence they inherit at their partner’s death. A domestic partnership is created by notarized affidavit that is accompanied by certain supporting documents. 

Health related privacy laws when applied to mental illness, can deprive the afflicted individual of much needed family support and assistance. The only means to avoid a potentially catastrophic situation for the patient, is through a mental health advance directive. These are treatment specific documents that provide guidance to both  health care agent and health care provider as to the types of treatment that the afflicted principal is willing to undertake, any medication issues unique to the principal and also outlines the types of decisions the agent is authorized to make.