Elder law is a branch of the law that serves the needs of the elderly and the disabled as well as their family and covers a wide range of client issues, both legal and financial.
In 1965, the passage of the Older Americans Act (OOA), was created and marked a significant federal recognition of legal matters unique to the elderly. Later amendments to the OOA include a national nutrition program for the elderly and the National Family Caregiver Support Program to help families caring for older loved ones.
Common elder law legal matters include issues related to health care, long-term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, elder abuse, and other necessary matters. Not only can they handle important financial and estate planning matters, but they also take care of day-to-day issues affecting the actual care of seniors, such as assisted living and life planning.
Think of elder law attorneys as “specialists” who cater to the needs of older adults, which are often different and more specialized than the needs of younger adults.
When it comes to elder law issues, you want an attorney who is equipped to handle a variety of challenging situations such as the sensitive emotional and physical needs of older or disabled adults. Because the laws regarding the care of the elderly vary from state to state and are always subject to change, it is vital to find an Elder Law attorney who is skilled, knowledgeable, and up-to-date about policy and legal issues. For Massachusetts Elder Law concerns, contact our office.
