As your senior loved one grows older, your family will likely have more concerns and questions pertaining to his or her health and financial needs. It’s important to choose a qualified attorney who will put your loved one’s interests first. Here are some questions every family caregiver should ask an elder law attorney.
1. Are You Certified?
The National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) was established to provide certification to lawyers interested in serving an aging population. Determine if the elder law attorney you want to hire is certified via NELF. A certified elder law attorney will typically be licensed in more than one state, will have completed a significant number of hours studying continuing education in elder law, and have at least five years of experience practicing law.
Finding a certified elder law attorney can be difficult for family caregivers who have other important tasks to tend to. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional senior home care. Greater Portland, OR, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
2. What Is Your Specialty?
Ask what the attorney’s specialties are prior to hiring him or her for the job. Most agencies have attorneys who specialize in various areas of elder law, including mental health issues, Medicare or Medicaid, social security benefits, age discrimination, and elder abuse. While it’s important to choose an attorney experienced in the area of the law your loved one is currently seeking representation for, it’s good to ask if the lawyer has a wide range of skills pertaining to elder care in the event his or her services are needed for another issue in the future.
3. How Accessible Are You?
Make sure the attorney is accessible to your loved one before, after, and during legal proceedings. If your loved one has an issue, he or she should be able to reach the attorney within a reasonable time. If the attorney takes on too many clients, your loved one could go days and weeks without receiving any correspondence, which is never acceptable. Good attorneys will let elderly clients know how their cases are coming along and inform them of important dates.
Keeping track of important dates can become challenging for adults in the golden years. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care Portland to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
4. What Will Your Approach to the Case Be?
A good elder law attorney will let your loved one know how his or her case will be handled. It’s okay to ask if your loved one has a good chance of winning the case during the initial consultation. The attorney doesn’t have to give your family the right answer, but he or she should provide you with an honest one.
5. What Are Your Costs?
Find out if your loved one can afford the attorney prior to bringing him or her on board the case. A good elder law attorney will offer your loved one less expensive alternatives for solving legal issues, such as arbitration or other types of out-of-court arrangements. If your loved one’s case can be handled through a less expensive and time-consuming way, a good elder law attorney will inform your family of these solutions.
Elder law attorneys can help seniors with legal issues, but some seniors also need assistance with daily tasks at home. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable elderly home care. Greater Portland, OR, families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at 503-664-7934 today.
