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Montour County Elder Law Lawyer

The elderly population has a large number of legal matters to deal with. Elder law attorneys handle a wide range of services for seniors and their loved ones. They realize their needs are more specialized than the younger generation and they assist with medical care and life planning. 

Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP are a team of elder law lawyers active in the Montour County, PA area. Read on to find out how we can help your older relatives plan out their senior years. 

What Does Elder Law Encompass?

There are many services that fall under the elder law umbrella. These include the following.

Making a Will: Many people don’t think about making a will until it’s too late. However, having a will is a good way to ensure that your possessions get to your beneficiaries. The right attorney will see to it that your will is processed correctly so the things you own get into the right hands. 

Making a Living Trust: A living trust involves naming the people or organizations you will want to receive your possessions after you die. It is similar to a will, but it avoids probate. A will dictates how your assets will be distributed but it must go through probate before it gets to your beneficiaries. Probate is an expensive process and some of your heirs may be eliminated if you owe debts. A living trust can avoid probate at death and prevent the court from controlling your assets. 

Estate Planning: Estate planning combines your will and living trust in one plan.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person or agent the power to act for another person. It gives an individual the authority to make legal decisions about the principal’s property, finances, or medical care. It is useful if the principal becomes disabled and is no longer able to make decisions for themselves. 

Advanced Medical Directives: Advanced medical directives designate a surrogate decision maker to make medical decisions on behalf of the principal if he or she can no longer make these decisions on their own. A health care proxy is draw up to designate that person to make decisions for them. 

Long Term Care Planning:  Long term care planning refers to how you will be cared for if you need assistance with daily activities in your senior years. It may include at home or nursing home care. An attorney can help you determine the care that is right for you, and they will create a plan for paying for the care when you get older. 

Medicaid: Medicaid provides coverage to millions of Americans. A Medicaid attorney will assist eligible people in filing for coverage and help those who have been denied coverage. They will file an appeal to review a denial of benefits and represent individuals to ensure they get the coverage they need. 

Handle Nursing Home Claims: It may be hard to believe but its common for seniors to become victims of neglect and abuse when they are checked into a nursing home. An attorney will determine at fault parties and pursue them in a court of law to ensure plaintiffs get the compensation they deserve. 

How to Find an Elder Law Attorney

There are plenty of elder law attorneys out there, but it’s important to find one you can trust. Older adults are often taken advantage of so it’s essential to work with a reputable lawyer. Here are some tips that will guide you through the hiring process. 

Find an Attorney: One way to find an attorney is to get a referral from someone you know. If you have a friend or relative that used an attorney they were happy with, it’s likely that they will provide you with terrific service as well. 

Another option is to check the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. The site has a list of reputable attorneys that are likely to get you positive results. 

Meet with Your Attorney: Once you have narrowed down your choices, you’ll want to schedule an in-person meeting. The right attorney will offer a free consultation. During the get together, you’ll will find out what the attorney can do for you and get a feel for what kind of person they are. 

Find Out About Their Experience: During your meeting, be sure to ask the right questions. Find out what type of experience the lawyer has had in handling cases similar to yours. Take plenty of notes so you’ll have something to reference if you plan on interviewing several lawyers. 

Pay Attention to Their Customer Service: Scheduling a consultation will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of customer service. Did the office answer your calls promptly? Did they take time to explain things to you to ensure you have a good understanding of your case? Did they follow through on what they said they were going to do? If you can answer these questions with a ‘yes,’ that’s a good sign. 

Check Their Credentials: Before deciding to hire, check your state’s State Bar Association. Look up the attorney’s name or bar number to make sure they are actively licensed to practice law in your state. You will also be able to find out if they have ever been publicly disciplined. 

Why Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP is Your Best Choice for a Pennsylvania Elder Law Attorney

Elder law can get complicated. To make sure your loved one is protected, you will want to feel confident that you are working with the best team possible. 

Montour County, PA attorneys Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP has years of experience in the field of elder law. We take a caring approach making sure you and your family are treated with the ultimate respect. We will strive to achieve a positive outcome no matter what your legal matter may be. 

Don’t let your loved one get taken advantage of. Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP will see to it that their rights are protected in any situation. Call or contact us online for a free consultation to make sure your family gets the care they need through their twilight years. 

Get in touch with us today to get started with your FREE case review. We’re only a call, click, or short drive away.