There is a lot to consider when making estate plans. Legal issues, health concerns, and costs may all be changing as family members work to make sure their aging loved ones are cared for in the best way possible. Two terms that come up often in this stage of life are estate planning and elder law. As you work to care for your loved one, you may be wondering, “What is the difference between estate planning and elder law?” Our attorneys at the Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen, P.A. are here to answer this question and other legal advice related to the legal services, health, and estate care of your family member.
What is Estate Planning?
Someone’s “estate” includes everything they own. Proper estate plans may include someone’s home, car, additional real estate, bank accounts, life insurance, physical possessions, and/or investments. Regardless of how much or how little someone has accumulated in their lifetime, it still has to go somewhere after they pass. The process of estate planning determines how and where you want your estate to go while planning for the smallest impact on taxes, court, and legal costs.
What is Elder Law?
Elder law is a specialized law practice focused on caring for the decisions of someone who has become incapacitated and/or at the end of life. The training of elder law attorneys equips them to handle the specialized needs of older adults, such as concerns related to medical care, nursing homes, long-term care, or even crisis planning. At the Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen, we are committed to welcoming you into a caring environment to discuss your concerns for your aging loved one.
Why Should I Hire An Elder Law Attorney?
Many people wonder if they need an elder law attorney. An elder law attorney is generally recommended for anyone after the age of 60 to begin preparing estate planning documents, power of attorney, etc. Even if you or your loved one have not encountered difficult health and/or end-of-life concerns, beginning your planning ahead of time can help assure that your wishes will be followed and the impact of probate and court delays will be minimized.
How do Estate Planning & Elder Law Work Together?
Estate planning and elder law go hand-in-hand because specialized elder care law attorneys are experts at estate planning. Because we understand the nuances of the law related to the care and concerns common for older adults, we can help you think through the many concerns that can arise during those years and effectively plan for the wishes you want to be carried out.
Whether you are just beginning to consider estate planning or elder law needs, or you have found yourself in a situation where you need to create plans and documents quickly, we can help. Please contact the Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen, P.A. for all your elder care and estate planning needs!