Areas of Practice

We all want the valuable possessions we have earned over the course of a lifetime of hard work to go to our loved ones after we pass away. This may include a successful business, artwork or even family heirlooms and treasures. We want to pass these legacies on to our family – not just to provide for them, but also to preserve our family continuity. An estate plan of your own, designed by an experienced attorney who focuses on this area of the law, can help you accomplish this and many other goals.

However, a well-crafted estate plan can do much more such as addressing important issues during your lifetime and in end-of-life situations. For example, a well-designed estate plan can ensure that a person you trust can make medical and financial decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. Without such a plan, someone may petition the Court to get control over your assets and medical care. Without a plan, your family may end up in a court process known as guardianship and conservatorship. This is expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating.

When a loved one passes away, probate is the legal process used to locate, value and distribute their property. Probate generally takes place in the jurisdiction where the deceased person lived, or if the person lived out of state, in the city where the person’s real property is located.

Probate can be a long and complicated process that can last several months to well over a year to complete. The process is made even more difficult because the family is in the process grieving the loss of a loved one.

We have extensive experience handling all aspects of probate administration. We can guide your family through the process from start to finish and help you manage the often-confusing document filings, publications, and court hearings required. This will allow you to focus on what is most important – coming to terms with the loss of your loved one.

A Guardianship is the court procedure for appointing a Guardian to care for the health and/or finances of an incapacitated individual. A Guardian can be placed in charge of the person’s property, the individual’s person, or both. The court monitors the guardian to ensure he or she is looking out for the best interest of the individual. If you think your loved one may be in need of a guardianship, we are here to help review all of your options to find the best course of action for your situation. We’ll help walk you through the guardianship process and understand your responsibilities as a Guardian.

Proper planning, however, can avoid the necessity of having to go to court to get guardianship over someone. In general, guardians are appointed by the court through a guardianship proceeding and are typically either family members or professional guardians. Individuals can also choose who they would want their guardian to be through a legal document prepared in advance, while the individual is of sound mind, naming the person they would want to serve as their guardian.

Elder law is a field of law that often starts with Medicaid planning, but that also involves so much more. Elder law matters are not just legal issues affecting the elderly. Anyone who has family counting on them, concerns about their own future medical treatment, or assets they care about should get help from an experienced elder law attorney.

You’re Not Alone

Getting elder law help is critical because life always comes with risk. At any time, you could be hurt in an accident or fall and be unable to communicate. You could develop a serious physical or mental illness which leaves you unable to manage your assets or even make healthcare choices. You might even pass away. These are concerns that primarily affect seniors, which is how elder law gets its name. Unfortunately, people both young and old can face unexpected illnesses, injuries, and other tragedies. That is why planning is so crucial.

If a tragedy like this befalls you, your family could be left uncertain of your wishes for medical care and forced to make tough choices or even be faced with having to terminate life support care in the hospital.