The Berks County area is aging rapidly, having increased from an average of 14% of the population 10 years ago to about 18%. As the senior population increases, so does the need for legal advice to avoid or rectify scams, honest errors, and other legal issues. The Law Office of Scott Painter, P.C., offers over 25 years of experience in elder law, estate planning, and veterans affairs. We are open and ready to guide you, starting with a free initial consultation.
Here are a few issues to consider, preferably before one becomes infirm or incapacitated.
Granting power of attorney (POA) to a trusted individual can avoid a lot of problems should a person become incapable of making decisions due to age or infirmity. A POA grants authority to a surrogate to make medical and financial decisions on a person’s behalf. The details and scope of the POA need to be agreed upon by both parties and drawn up by a lawyer. Attorney Painter can help with POAs and wills.
“Gifting,” where parents put their child(ren)’s name on their home deed, can cause complications if the parent enters a nursing home within a certain period after the transaction. Legal advice is important.
Beware of sneaky debt collection practices that attempt to rope you for a late relative’s debts.
Sadly, seniors, the elderly, and especially dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers, are vulnerable to various forms of elder abuse. On the flip side, caregivers can be accused, even wrongly, of elder abuse. Be ready to have a trusted elder attorney on your side.
Getting back to wills, making your final wishes known ahead of time can simplify the process of settling an estate, which involves paying bills, managing assets, and distributing property and such to beneficiaries. Make sure yours is updated and made accessible to family members.
Whether you are new to caregiving and need to help an aging loved one get their affairs in order, or you have been providing care for years and require assistance navigating an unexpected legal issue, it is important to seek guidance from a knowledgeable source. When searching for an attorney to help with caregiving issues, look for legal professionals who specialize in elder law.
The law office of elder law attorney Scott C. Painter, P.C., is located in Wyomissing (outside of Reading, PA, in Berks County,) and offers trusted legal services in the areas of elder law, including nursing home planning, trust and estate services, and veterans benefits. Scott C. Painter is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA®), and he is also a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
If you have an issue or question, we encourage you to call us. With legal matters, time is of the essence. Call us for a consultation at 610-378-5140. The $300 consultation fee is waived if Attorney Painter is retained to perform services.