Vandalia Elder Law Attorneys
Known as the “Crossroads of America” due to its location on the National Road and the Dixie Highway, Vandalia has a population of about 16,000. While retaining its small-town feel, Vandalia has big-city amenities. In particular, Vandalia boasts a state-of-the-art Recreation Center with features geared toward every age group: an indoor water park, a fitness center, and a climbing wall, to name a few. When the heat of summer rolls around, the Cassel Hills Swimming Pool keeps kids and adults alike cool. For those who look forward to a game of golf, the Cassel Hills Golf Course was named one of the “100 Must Play Courses in Ohio” by Golf Styles Magazine.
The Vandalia Senior Citizens center offers a plethora of activities for the slightly older crowd, bringing fellowship and fun along with crafting, travel opportunities, and lots of special events. Whether golfing, swimming, crafting, or cooling off in the water, Vandalia residents must take the time to plan for the future. While few of us look forward to estate planning, it is necessary, particularly if we are approaching our “golden years.” As with most things in life, planning for the future is rarely as painful as we imagine. Having an experienced Vandalia elder law attorney to help you makes it even simpler.
The Lovett & House attorneys have decades of experience to guide you through every step of the process, answering your questions, and listening to a story or two from you along the way. With more than 100 positive Google Reviews, we offer a free five-minute phone appointment and an attorney who is a Board-Certified Specialist. We believe you can plan for your future—even if you’ve put it off for a long time—then sit back and relax, knowing you, your loved ones, and your affairs will be well taken care of. Get in touch with Lovett & House—we are ready to answer your toughest questions. Let us help you take care of your future so you can relax and move forward in your Vandalia life.
What Are the Components of Elder Law?
Elder law encompasses many different fields of law that specifically affect seniors. These fields of law include:
- Planning for disability
- Nursing home planning
- Guardianships
- Preservation of assets
- Planning for an adult special needs child
Elder law addresses circumstances and decisions that typically arise later in life. Elder law also deals with “normal” estate planning, such as how your estate will be executed after your death. A Vandalia elder law attorney from Lovett & House can help you navigate legal matters that pertain to seniors while working with a network of professionals who specialize in elder issues.
Is Your Elder Law Attorney Skilled in Medicaid for Nursing Home Care?
Medicaid planning may well be one of the most important planning tools used by an elder law attorney. The substantial cost of nursing home care can quickly wipe out assets you’ve spent a lifetime acquiring, leaving no inheritance for your loved ones. Medicaid is the most common alternative to paying for nursing home care. Unfortunately, Medicaid rules can be a complex issue for seniors requiring long-term care. The fact that Medicaid laws change fairly often can result in the process being truly overwhelming. Having attorneys who have the skills, knowledge, and experience in Medicaid services can make a huge difference for you and your future.
Medicaid assists low-income individuals in paying for medically necessary medical services—including nursing home care. Certain assets are excluded when calculating your resources, however, it is easy for any savings you have to be wiped out before Medicaid begins paying for the cost of a nursing home. This is why Medicaid planning is so important. At Lovett & House, we will help you plan ahead so your assets will not be wiped out by necessary long-term care. We take into consideration the Medicaid “look back” period when determining which assets can be transferred. Even if you have not planned ahead for nursing home care and Medicaid qualification, we can help you with “crisis” Medicaid planning tools.
Why Do I Need an Elder Law Attorney?
With skyrocketing health care costs and the fact that most of us are living longer, thanks to medical advances, planning for your golden years is even more important. An elder law attorney can look at your entire situation, creating a plan that accurately addresses and fits your specific needs. While elder law does incorporate estate law, “regular” estate law focuses on asset distribution in a tax-advantaged manner after your death.
Elder law strives to preserve your money, assets, and income for your benefit and care—while you are alive. That being said, elder law strategies definitely involve estate and tax planning. You may wonder whether you really need an attorney who is knowledgeable about elder law. Consider the following ways you could benefit from an elder law attorney:
- Your elder law attorney will have unique, in-depth insight regarding the rights and needs of seniors.
- An elder law attorney ensures your resources will meet your needs, to the extent possible.
- The elder law attorney will ensure you have all the necessary estate planning documents in place—and that they have been recently updated.
- Your assets can be properly protected by an elder law attorney in the event you require long-term care.
- An elder law attorney will take the necessary steps to protect your home
- Your elder law attorney will have a deep understanding of Medicaid regulations, including the five-year look-back period.
- An experienced elder law attorney can help you ensure a physically or mentally incapacitated loved one continues to receive care following your own incapacitation or death.
How Vandalia Elder Law Attorneys Can Help
When you chose a Vandalia elder law attorney from Lovett & House, you have taken an important first step in protecting your own future as well as ensuring the care of your loved ones. Our legal team is highly experienced and ready to help you. We have assisted many individuals who were in a nursing home crisis situation as well as those who are planning in advance. Attorney George Lovett has spoken and written on Medicaid and nursing home planning issues hundreds of times. The experience and knowledge of Lovett & House can help you address the broad range of elder concerns you may have. Contact Lovett & House today.
