A rapidly emerging area of the law, elder law deals with the issues faced by senior citizens. Now that people are living longer, there are more issues about their future care that have to be included in estate planning. One of the most important questions that is being raised is how to provide long-term housing, with possibly increasing levels of care, as senior citizens age.
Elder law matters that we routinely provide legal assistance on include:
- Medicaid eligibility planning
- Medicaid applications
- Government benefits analysis
- Planning for children with disabilities
- Creating special needs trusts for persons with disabilities
- Establishing Guardianships and Conservatorships through the probate court
One of the most important factors in elder law is advanced planning. Often qualification for government programs have lengthy time prerequisites that must be met prior to receiving benefits. It is important to start considering these factors when you start working with an attorney to develop your estate plan.
Foster Swift has been named a Tier 1 firm in Elder Law in Lansing by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" in 2014, 2016-2021 and 2023-2024.
Recent Blog Posts
- Resources for Seniors and Caregivers
- Choosing the Right Housing Situation for Your Elderly Loved One
- Aging Unbound: A Multi-Part Caregiver Resource Guide
- When It Comes To Estate Planning, Coordination Is Key
- Importance of Durable Powers of Attorney
- Survivor's Checklist: What to do When a Loved One Passes Away
- How FEPA Protects Michigan’s Elderly Against Financial Exploitation
- Checking in and Reconnecting with Family this Holiday Season
- Valuable Benefits that Often Go Unused by Our Country’s Veterans
- Estate Planning for New and Aging Parents
Publications & Alerts
- Using Low-Cost DIY Legal Services: Risks Far Outweigh Benefits, Foster Swift Business & Tax Law News, January 24, 2023
- Caring for Aging Parents Takes Compassion, Communication & Partnership, May 1, 2020
- Why Employers Need to Support the “Sandwich Generation”, April 30, 2020
- How to Spot the Red Flags of Financial Elder Abuse, April 29, 2020
- The Paralegal's Role in An Elder Law Practice, NALA Facts & Findings, Fall 2015
- Why Senior Adults Need Elder Law Attorneys, NALA Facts & Findings, Fall 2015
Events
- Spotlight on Elder Law: Attorney Matthew Fedor, Business Innovators Magazine, May 21, 2021
- Trusts 101: Estate Planning for the Disabled, November 14, 2018
- Trusts 101: Grantor Trusts and Ethics, National Business Institute (NBI), November 14, 2018
- ADMINISTERING THE ESTATE EFFECTIVELY and MAINTAINING AN ETHICAL BALANCE IN PROBATE PRACTICE, Probate Process from Start to Finish (NBI), October 16, 2018
- Step by Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute (NBI), September 13, 2018
- Probate Process from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, May 4, 2018
- Farm Succession and Estate Planning, Michigan Farm Bureau, January 27, 2015 & February 4, 2015
News
- Foster Swift Listed in "Best Law Firms" 2024, Best Lawyers in America, November 2, 2023
- Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 17, 2023
- Four Lansing Attorneys Named Best Lawyers® 2024 "Lawyer of the Year", Best Lawyers in America, August 17, 2023
- Holiday Gatherings Offer Insight into Family Members’ and Friends’ Well-Being, Global Newswire, December 19, 2022
- Foster Swift Listed in "Best Law Firms" 2023, Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms", November 3, 2022
- Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2023 Best Lawyers in America©, Best Lawyers in America, August 18, 2022
- Elder Law Month: Estate Planning Still Important to Seniors in Wake of COVID, Global Newswire, May 4, 2022
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May is Elder Law Month
Foster Swift is commemorating Elder Law Month with the following content around planning and senior care:
- How Should We Celebrate Elder Law Month? Video
- What is Elder Law Planning? Video
- How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Elder Law Video
- What Should I Know About Medicaid Planning? Video
- COVID-19 and Elder Law Planning Video
- How to Spot the Red Flags of Financial Elder Abuse Article
- Why Employers Need to Support the "Sandwich Generation" Article
- Caring for Aging Parents Takes Compassion, Communication & Partnership Article