We handle the full range of legal matters that can affect clients who are 50 or better:

Advance Directive (Living Will): We can assist you in preparing this critical document in order to assure that your choices about your health care are communicated to your doctor. An advance directive also can prevent disputes among your family members about your care.

Estate Administration: After the death of a loved one, even with a well planned estate, a lot of work remains to be done such as filing state and federal estate tax returns. Retirement funds may need to be rolled over, assets may need to be re-titled, and a host of other chores may arise. We can guide you through this sometimes difficult process.

Guardianships and Conservatorships: We assist with all aspects of this often complex process, including preparation of petitions to appoint a guardian or conservator, advising on the placement of protected persons in care facilities, defending or challenging the placement of a person in a facility, and related matters.

Living Trust: This powerful tool, when properly used and administered, allows you to retain all of the use and benefits of assets assigned to the trust, yet assures that your estate will not be subject to probate. We can help you decide whether a living trust is appropriate for your situation.

Planning For Long-Term Care and Medicaid: No one likes to think that they may need to apply for public assistance. However, the cost of long-term care can quickly consume the wealth that you have built over a lifetime. We guide you through the Medicaid process, and advise you on how to preserve as many of your assets as possible.

Power of Attorney: Even if you have a living trust, a power of attorney is an important tool. With it, the person you wish to represent you is able to speak for you in dealing with the state and federal government, take care of your business and financial affairs, and otherwise work on your behalf.

Probate: Probate is a court-supervised process that includes the collecting of a deceased person’s assets, paying all of the creditors, and distributing the property to heirs. Normally, probate is required when people die “intestate” (without a will). It also often is required when people leave a will, but do not have a living trust.