One of the hardest things to deal with in life is when our loved ones get old and we have to watch them weaken before our eyes. You can’t reverse the clock, but you can help them live the rest of their days as comfortably as possible. You can call the Elder Law Offices of Marissa DeBellis.
Elder law in West Palm Beach is a branch of the law that focuses on issues that most affect the senior population. There are three main sections that comprise elder law – estate planning, health planning, and guardianship matters.
Estate planning and asset protection are among the most important things you can do when you get older because it’s a way to make sure the ones you love are financially protected when you’re gone. Estate planning is simply arranging your estate, or your wealth, and deciding where you want it to go. Doing this early can eliminate any confusion that may arise if it’s not taken care of and your family has to decide what to do with everything. Estate planning generally involves the disbursement of wills, trusts, property and monetary wealth, and anything else that holds value.
Guardianship goes along with estate planning, as it deals directly with who will handle the estate you’re leaving behind. A guardian, or a power of attorney, is someone you trust thoroughly to deal with matters that you are no longer able to deal with. These matters may include your finances, your legal matters, and your estate. A power of attorney has complete control over everything you are no longer able to handle.
Health planning is arguably the most important aspect of elder law in West Palm Beach. This can include your access to Medicaid, your medical care, which nursing home you are placed in and the care you receive there, medical care directives, and your end of life planning. It’s important to handle your long term care planning with ease and gentleness, as it determines how you’ll live out the rest of your days.
Having a lawyer help you through all the twists and turns of elder law can be very helpful. They can help you decide on what’s best for you and your family.