If you search on Google for “elder law attorney near me,” you’ll likely find dozens of lawyers and firms in your area. But given how widely these firms can vary in terms of experience, skill, and client care, it’s not enough to click on the first result you see online.
The right elder law attorney can help you with financial planning for yourself or an elderly loved one in your life. They can help you draw up a power of attorney and other estate documents, manage assets, make long-term-care plans, and consider any other estate planning issues.
Let’s look at what an elder law attorney is, how you can hire one, and five tips that will help you determine the best elder lawyer for you.
What Is an Elder Law Attorney?
Elder law attorneys help with many elder care needs, including:
- Planning financially for long-term care
- Qualifying for veteran benefits
- Seeking out disability coverage, Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and coverage
- Estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and property settlements
- Representing clients in cases of elder abuse
Your attorney can protect your elderly parent’s assets, plan for their financial future and living situation according to their wishes, and ensure that your family has assets left after you’ve paid for all necessary care.
An experienced elder law attorney will use several avenues to protect you or your older family member’s finances and legal rights while ensuring you have a viable way to pay for all necessary care.
Another way that an elder care lawyer can assist you is by ensuring compliance. Each state has different laws regarding legal documents that you must file, so it is essential to get these right when it comes to documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
How Do I Hire an Elder Law Attorney?
One of the most common ways to find a reputable elder law attorney is to get a referral. This method bypasses the need for extensive research if you trust the person making the referral and can get all the information you need directly from someone who has worked with this lawyer in the past.
In many cases, though, you either won’t know someone who has used an elder law attorney or their needs might not have been in the same area as yours are. In that case, it’s best to check the NAELA—or National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys—to find a reputable elder care lawyer in your area.
But how can you ensure that the lawyer you choose is the right attorney for the job? Here are five tips that can assist you with your decision.
1. Make Sure They Offer a Free Consultation
Any elder law attorney worth working with should offer a free consultation. If a lawyer isn’t willing to do this, or even worse, if they try to get you to pay before speaking with you, you should consider that a significant red flag.
It’s a good idea to get a free consultation from a few different lawyers so that you can gauge their understanding of your situation and go from there.
2. Make Sure They Have the Specific Elder Law Experience You Need
Having a skilled elder law attorney is great, but if they don’t have specific experience with situations similar to yours, they likely won’t be able to give you the help you need. When you’re getting your free consultation, be sure to ask specific questions regarding the services that you need help with.
3. Check Their Reviews and Client Testimonials Online
Along with their demeanor over the phone or in-person when you have your free consultation, check online and see what their reputation is like. Any reputable law firm should have a good number of reviews and specific testimonials from real clients that you can use to make your decision. See what Jarvis Law Office’s client have to say here!
4. Take Detailed Notes and Then Compare and Contrast
While you’re on the call with the lawyer, take detailed notes about everything they say, and compare that to other attorneys and firms you speak with later to see how they stack up.
5. Make Sure They Have the Right Credentials
Lastly, be sure that the lawyer you’re talking with has an active license with your state’s bar association.
Call Us at Jarvis Law Office for Your Ohio Elder Care Needs
Now that you’re ready to search for “elder attorneys near me,” consider our team at Jarvis Law Office, P.C., with offices in Lancaster, Dublin, and St. Clairsville, Ohio. We’re proud to call ourselves a high-service firm as we go above and beyond for our clients. Our passion is in protecting seniors and those who love them. Our elder care attorneys can help you explore your options and answer any questions.
Contact us today to see if you qualify for a free or no-cost consultation. We can video-chat with you or meet at one of our office locations: Lancaster (740) 653-3450, Dublin (614) 495-4185, or St. Clairsville (740) 699-2193.
We also provide in-person workshops and live webinars each month for free as a service to the great people of Ohio. Join us as we discuss topics of interest to you.
Copyright © 2022. Jarvis Law Office, P.C. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Jarvis Law Office, P.C.
904 N. Columbus Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
(740) 653-3450
https://www.jarvisfirm.com
