We may not always want to acknowledge it, but often we know a relative is dying. Improved technology is allowing doctors to better predict when the end is near. Many patients are opting for hospice and palliative care at the end of their lives. This time can be exceptionally difficult for families. In addition to the stress of loss and grieving, many find they must also handle the financial and business affairs of their relative. Unfortunately, there is not a guidebook for end of life legal issues. Here are a list of some common concerns and how you can address them. [...]

Advocating for seniors isn’t just the job of lawyers. Social workers, care managers, nurses, ombudsmen and lobbyists all spend time advocating for the elderly. But the best advocacy can involve helping seniors to advocate for themselves. “Seven Tips for Presenting Elderly Witnesses” explores some of the ways that you can help your senior clients to become powerful witnesses.

The one essential skill that elder law attorneys must possess is an ability to listen to their clients.

Medication errors are among the most common medical mistakes, harming at least 1.5 million people every year, according to a recent report by the Institute of Medicine. The additional medical costs of treating these drug related injuries in hospitals adds up to at least $3.5 billion per year – and that doesn’t even include the [...]

If you’ve ever read a will or trust agreement, you know that it’s a fairly cold, legal document. Yet, this document is the last bit of communication you will have with your family. And, it comes to your family at a highly charged emotional time in their lives. As a result, a slight or a [...]

Dementia is not an on-off switch. It may progress quickly or it may progress slowly, but it is progressive. For most, family members see the changes and begin making appropriate plans. Advance directives and estate plans are put in place early. A move begins toward assisted living, with an eye toward nursing care.

Attorney’s who work with the elderly are very familiar with the shortcomings of nursing home care.  Nursing homes perform an essential service and many take good care of their patients.  When a nursing home fails to do that, however, it can have disastrous consequences.   These consequences can range from physical injury, to financial harm.  Here [...]

Helping seniors to protect their assets is an important task. If it is ignored, the consequences can be disastrous. When handled well, it can relieve a burden from them and the people who care about them.

When someone becomes incapacitated without having executed advance directives, the state allows for the appointment of a guardian to make key decisions. Learn more about the guardianship process, its costs, and why powers of attorney are a better way to go.