What is Elder Law?
Elder Law planning is included in my Estate planning consultations but frequently goes beyond Estate planning. The basic difference between the two is that Elder Law planning seeks to preserve your income and assets for use while you are alive, and Estate planning is primarily concerned with implementing your wishes and distributing your assets after you die. Elder Law includes a wide range of legal matters affecting older and disabled clients, including issues related to health care, long term care planning, guardianship, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid and other important matters.
When Does a Person Need an Elder Law Attorney
- Medicaid and long term care planning
- Assistance with Medicaid applications and eligibility
- Assistance with care-giver agreements
- Asset protection and planning
- Assistance with termination of benefits
- Elder abuse issues
- Guardianships
Experience
I have been a member of the Wisconsin State Bar since 1991 and I am a member of the Wisconsin State Bar’s Elder Law section; the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; a member of the Wisconsin Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. I have practiced in Estate and Elder Law planning since 2007.
My introduction to elder law issues began my first year as a practicing attorney in the Indian Law office of Wisconsin Judicare in 1991. Class three gaming was just getting off the ground in Wisconsin. Some tribes had already opened their casinos and were beginning to make per capita payments to their members. Those payments quickly hit the radar of county and state agencies administering public benefits programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Title 19 Medicaid programs. As a brand new attorney at the time, I was taking multiple calls a week from families of tribal elders who were getting termination letters and over-payment letters based on their per capita payment checks.
My introduction to elder law issues began my first year as a practicing attorney in the Indian Law office of Wisconsin Judicare in 1991. Class three gaming was just getting off the ground in Wisconsin. Some tribes had already opened their casinos and were beginning to make per capita payments to their members. Those payments quickly hit the radar of county and state agencies administering public benefits programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Title 19 Medicaid programs. As a brand new attorney at the time, I was taking multiple calls a week from families of tribal elders who were getting termination letters and over-payment letters based on their per capita payment checks.
Resources
