Difference Between Estate Planning And Elder Law Attorneys

People often ask me if there is a difference between Estate and Asset Planning Attorneys and Elder Law Attorneys…

I can understand how the lines may become blurred because some of the services each provides seem to overlap. However, there are significant differences which I will explain. But, just as an overview, estate planning attorneys write the blueprints for the future event that everyone faces – death – which includes protection of one’s assets along the way. Elder law attorneys specifically help seniors navigate their changing needs as they age.

Estate Planning Is Proactive And Ongoing

One way to think about estate planning is as a proactive task. It’s all about preparing for the inevitable – death. Proper estate plans establish the who, what, and when of what happens to your property and assets after your death. The plan provides a roadmap for your family to follow when they can no longer look to you for guidance.

Estate planning is also an ongoing task since the plan must be updated whenever there is a noteworthy life change. For instance, selling an existing home, buying stocks, buying a rental property, the addition of new children or grandchildren, marriage, divorce or the sudden death of a spouse, relative or other loved one designated as a beneficiary in the estate plan. Also, you may want to change your Power of Attorney due to any number of reasons. So, as you can see an estate plan is something that gets updated as life events change.

The Value Of Retaining An Elder Law Attorney

When people become elderly, there are many legal documents that must be in place in order to qualify for certain benefits. For example, seniors need to make sure they have disability documents in place and that they have a plan for their assets after they pass. However, qualifying for disability, Medicaid or Veteran’s benefits can be a confusing and strategic process, especially when you have assets in your name. Elder law attorneys help to protect these assets in the best manner while helping you qualify for medical benefits as soon as possible. Elder law attorneys typically have more expertise at Medicaid planning for long-term care. Even though Medicaid is a federal program, each state varies on qualification criteria.

Additionally, elder law attorneys advise clients on senior rights, age discrimination, elder abuse, and other issues that impact the senior community. As you may already be aware, seniors are targets for crime and discrimination and when necessary, an elder law attorney will help battle these issues. I wrote an article about this last month. In case you missed it, you can read it by clicking here: Don’t Scam My Dad. Elder law attorneys also help seniors in recognizing abuse and crime, reporting it, and making sure their rights are protected.

Overlapping Skills

Of course, many seniors will have some of the same goals that a traditional estate planning client might have. In addition, due to age, mental competency and other circumstances, many seniors often require help navigating confusing federal systems. While the services of estate planning attorneys and elder law attorneys do overlap, the value of working with a firm that offers both services is becoming more and more in demand. We have been providing both services to our clients for many years. If you would like to discuss either estate and asset protection or elder care services, please give us a call.

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!

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Stacy McKenzie

21:58 07 Feb 24

Shannon and her team were great. Went in for a consultation and got my money worth. She explained and made sure we understood. I will be using them in the future.

Diane J

23:10 24 Jan 24

Waheed Hamid

18:55 17 Dec 23

We had excellent service from Shannon and her team, they are true professionals and helped us and explained every step in the process. We highly recommend The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm.

Virgil Price Young

20:16 18 Jul 23

Stephanie Deal

15:22 07 Jul 23

My father and I recently used the estate, an asset protection, law, firm for new wheels, new, power of attorney’s, and a creation of a trust. Brooke and her entire team could not have been more helpful and more professional! We loved working with them, and they took everything seriously therefore I didn’t have to worry about a thing. I highly recommend everyone at the law firm.

Barry Amos

01:22 01 Jul 23

Great firm. Had answers to all our questions and explained everything clearly. Never felt rushed to make a decision Could not ask for a better experience. Every one we dealt with was professional and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this firm for estate planning.

Lee Jay

21:30 28 Jun 23

Shannon provided invaluable information regarding a family estate matter. Although her firm did not quite fit our immediate needs, the consultation was informative and extremely HELPFUL! Shannon clearly explained what our next steps should be and offered to assist if we had any questions along the way. Her expertise and willingness to help puts her in a league of her own!

Alice Guppy

02:01 23 Jan 23

Shannon and everyone at The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm are professional, very knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. They answered all our questions in great detail and the plan they developed for us is exactly what we need to protect our assets and estate as we age especially with my husband's health issues.

Lynn McKibbin-Moore

23:09 24 Feb 22

My husband has dementia. This firm has been patient, kind and professional while we went through a move from a house of 37 years in to a condo to be closer to my daughter and her husband. (Miami to Atlanta). There was also a wedding. All in 6 months.We now have a trust, power of attorney. Wills for my daughter and her husband and more. All at a fair price. I could not recommend higher.

Tammy Lee

22:03 29 Jan 22

Shannon Pawley and her team are exceptional at helping families navigate tough situations. We began working with her upon finding out my father had Stage 4 kidney cancer. His decline was more rapid than expected.Attorney Pawley and her entire team expedited paperwork that allowed me to focus on my father’s care, make decisions that suddenly needed to be made for him medically and financially, and has allowed me the ability to focus more on grieving and less on legal matters upon his passing.It is obvious she is knowledgeable about the best ways to navigate estates to protect the assets for the owners and their loved ones. It is just as obvious that she is passionate and has true heart for what her clients go through.We will be using her for own estate needs, and I recommend her expertise to everybody I can.This service is worth every penny we paid as it has saved us more money and time than I could imagine.

H Jessie Brewer

18:26 18 Nov 21

Attorney Shannon Pawley and paralegal Alexis McCoy are legal professionals that my wife and I highly recommend. Their grasp of the Georgia law pertaining to Medicaid assistance and the interworking's of the State department is exceptional. Additionally, their client-attorney relationship skills are excellent. We wouldn't hesitate to use this law firm again should the need arise.

Dawn Hardy

15:06 13 Nov 21

Shannon and her team are the best! They listened to my needs and provided the best advice. They are patient and professional as well as personable, they didn't make me feel like I was just another client. Highly recommend!