When you are facing issues with elderly parents, it can be important to have the benefit of an attorney that can offer you experience when it comes to dealing with the unique problems that the elderly and their families must face. Unfortunately, finding an attorney that is experienced in this area of law may not be so simple, especially if you are pressed for time.
One place that you can begin your search for an elder law attorney is through the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Many attorneys that practice in this area of law will be members of this organization.
Additional things that you should consider when choosing an elder law attorney would include their experience, as well as how they represent themselves. Do they have a website, and does that website reflect an image of professionalism and experience?
When you interview an attorney, you will want to find out if their expertise is a match for what you need. If you would like an attorney to help your elderly parent qualify for Medicaid without losing everything he or she has, you probably want an attorney that focuses much of their practice on this type of issue, and not business law. An attorney can practice estate planning and elder law, but it is important to understand that the two are really very different. Not all attorneys that focus on estate planning will also have the experience needed to practice elder law.
Another question you will want to ask when you are interviewing attorneys is what their fees are, as well as their fee structure. Will they charge you a flat rate, or will you be paying by the hour on retainer?
Due to the fact that legal issues concerning the elderly can be very complex, it is unlikely that you will find all of your answers on a website, or even get the information that you need over the phone. To solve your problem, you will need to consult with an attorney, and retain their services in most cases. Interview several attorneys before you choose one that you believe will offer you the best services for your money.
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