A New Phase Means Proper Planning

As you may have read on my Facebook page, recently I applied for Medicare. This phase of my life is hard to believe.  I advise seniors and their families about age related issues in my law practice, but now it is my turn. I was in the emergency room recently and was described as a 64 year old elderly person. What a shock! I chuckle.

My turn for what?

I am at a new phase in my life with different twists and turns. I am more concerned than ever that I have my proper planning documents. What about my Durable Power of Attorney as to assets and my
health/health care surrogate, living will, HIPAA, disposition of bodily remains?

I know that my time units are much less now, so my preparation must be more intense.

This thought process, what I am going through now, is a blessing in disguise.  It helps me to identify even more with those of you who have visited my office for assistance, and those who will do so in the future.

Elder Law Guidance

I have been a member of the Florida Bar since 1980. My friends, that is a very long time. When I moved to Marianna after law school, I thought the number of years I would be practicing would be at least 45 years. Now, when I look at my years of future practice, they are less than ten. Time has flown. I enjoy being a lawyer. I enjoy working with people who are in stressful situations and developing strategies to assist them.

Why elder law?  It is an awesome practice. I am developing relationships with family members and there is a sense of closeness.

Elder law is unique, with exposure to Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, drug plans, managed care plans, etc. As we grow older, we encounter so many issues which require a solid foundation of knowledge. It is the knowledge which is the key in assisting.

As we grow older, our issues become overwhelming and  the proper guidance can be very helpful.

Planning for Change

Change! So many changes are going occurring this year and in 2015.  I have started receiving various publications regarding Medicare and Medicare Part D drug coverage, so now it is my turn, age 65. Change!

Planning! I am reviewing my planning documents and making the necessary changes.  As an elder law attorney I know I must have them reviewed every 3 to 5 years, but also  when there are changes in my family structure.  These changes may be disability, divorce, remarriage, death, challenges in the lives of children and grandchildren, etc.  Planning and change appear to be part of our daily living now.
 

I enjoy knowledge and the process of obtaining it. I like underlining in a book, writing my notes in the margins of the book. Of course, these are books that I own.  I do miss receiving continuing educational material in book form.  Now I receive the material by Dropbox.  Talk about change!  My choice now is to print the material so I can mark or leave it in Dropbox for later review.

 
In December I was preparing for two-day conference in Orlando.  The documents were provided to me two days before the program. As I wanted to mark, underline and question, I printed the documents and put them in five three-ring notebooks.  I was surprised at the cost of my time, paper and notebooks. I had to have a separate carrying case for the notebooks.  Indeed, it was a hassle for me to take the notebooks to the meeting.  I did miss the “old fashioned” way of receiving the documents.  Change! I must adjust to it.  Now, I must invest more time in my planning before I attend my continuing educational courses.  Planning! The concepts of change and planning affect all of us.

Aspects of Planning
 

As I am an elder law attorney, I deal daily with change and planning for my clients. Properly planning for the possibility of disability, incapacity, home health care and/or nursing home placement. Advising on how to receive public benefits, including Medicaid. I prepare sophisticated Durable Powers of Attorney to provide authority for the client’s named designee regarding financial and legal matters.  I prepare complex Designation of Healthcare Surrogate forms in which the client chooses a loved one to make vital healthcare decisions when unable to act for themselves, as well as detailed Living Wills which specify the client’s wishes with regard to all life sustaining devices. 

You need an elder law attorney to plan for change:

·         utilizing estate planning documents, if you or your loved one is over 55
·         for Medicaid and special needs trust planning, if you or your loved one is disabled, incapacitated or diagnosed with a disability
·         if you or your loved one is a beneficiary or a fiduciary and something doesn’t seem right
·         if you want to know your options for public benefits. 

Planning and Change!  Always remember.