Elder Law

What is Elder Law in Georgia?

Thousands of Americans reach retirement age every single day. You or someone you love may have already retired, or it's on the horizon. Whatever the case, you should make special considerations for this time of your life. Our Dublin, Georgia, law firm's focus on Elder Law has brought us into contact with many families questioning how to care for an elderly loved one.

Most people who decide to move to a nursing home do so during a time of great stress. Often, a family member will contact us when their loved one has been hospitalized after a stroke or broken hip. Others have progressive dementia, like Alzheimer's, and can no longer be cared for in their home. At these times, it is vital that you take a pause and a deep breath and understand that there are solutions. Helpful information is available to guide you in making the right choices for you and your loved one.

Elder law focuses on legal issues experienced in the later years of your life. Elder Law attorneys, like the experienced team at Middle Georgia Estate Planning, are specialized in the legal preparations needed to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are carried out in your golden years of life.

Middle Georgia Estate Planning can assist you or your aging loved one in Elder Law services, including:

• Long-Term Care Planning

• ABD Medicaid Proactive Planning

• ABD Medicaid Crisis Planning

• VA Aid & Attendance Planning for Long-Term Care

• Special Needs Planning

• Guardianships and Conservators

As we age, we face several challenges. It can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with the cost of care for aging seniors in Georgia. Elder planning is vital to properly prepare for your or a loved one's future care. The earlier you establish a plan, the more options you will have for elderly care. Procrastinating on elder law planning may result in undesirable outcomes that drain your finances or lead to being unable to make your own choices in the future.

Georgia Long-term Care Planning

Elderly residents of Georgia may, at some point in their lifetime, require additional care options, like in-home care or nursing home care. This type of care, known as long-term care, can be expensive. Establishing a plan for how you will pay for long-term care can help you and your family avoid spending all or most of your hard-earned assets.

Nursing Home Planning in Georgia

As you age, you may find yourself in need of a Georgia nursing home or in-home care. Establishing a plan for managing payment is vital to protect your assets from the high cost of care. ABD Medicaid coverage is often available to supplement the cost of long-term care, but applying for and qualifying for ABD Medicaid is a complicated process. Without the support of Georgia ABD Medicaid coverage, you will be held financially responsible for covering the entire cost of nursing home care in Dublin and surrounding Georgia counties.

Georgia Annual Median Cost of Care (2021)

Resource: https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html#close

Understanding VA Planning for Georgia Veterans

You may be eligible for government veteran benefits if you are a wartime veteran or the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran without realizing the benefits available to you. These benefits can include nursing home care costs, in-home care costs, and assisted living facilities. The Special Monthly Pension benefit is available when a veteran is over 65 years of age, is permanently disabled, unable to work, homebound, or is in need of regular care from someone. You or a loved one must meet some financial and health-related requirements to qualify for veterans' benefits. In the confusion of all these VA benefits rules and regulations, Warren Greer Law is here to provide clear guidance and peace of mind when planning for your future.

What is Special Needs Planning?

Special Needs Planning is a legal process essential to any person or family member with a disability. Disabilities can be diagnosed at birth, seen in adults later in life, or caused by illness or injury. Special Needs Planning can occur during life; however, early planning helps ensure that critical public benefits are not jeopardized. Planning at the point of crisis may include fewer options for the present and future needs of a person diagnosed with a disability.

Supplemental and Special Needs Trusts

This type of trust can supplement a disabled loved one's needs while maintaining their government benefits. It is essential to plan for a loved one with special needs proactively. A special needs trust in Georgia can ensure your loved one can live comfortably while still receiving government benefits.

Understanding Guardianships and Conservatorships in Georgia

A guardian can be anyone over the age of 18. The probate court appoints a guardian for the special needs person, known as the ward, and this individual will have the legal right to make decisions on behalf of your special needs loved one regarding their health and safety. With proper planning, a special needs trust can outline the guardian's responsibilities and direct the assistance of your special needs loved one in Georgia. A conservator can be appointed by the court to oversee managing an individual's assets if they cannot make sound decisions or are at risk of being taken advantage of regarding the management of finances. Often in Georgia, a special needs person or incapacitated adult will need both a guardian—to help make medical decisions, and a conservator—to manage that individual's finances responsibly. Guardians and Conservators appointed by the court have a duty to ensure the incapacitated ward has adequate food, shelter, and clothing and that their finances are managed responsibly in their best interest. Our office can assist you with filing a Guardianship or Conservatorship petition in Laurens and other counties in Middle Georgia.

Middle Georgia Estate Planning helps you and your loved ones understand Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate and Estate Administration, and Business Organization Planning. We welcome you to contact our Dublin, Georgia office to learn how we can help meet your Elder Law needs.