Working with seniors today requires knowledge of many legal areas including public benefits law, laws relating to surrogate decision making for legal, health and financial affairs, and a plethora of ever-changing state and federal rules and regulations.  Only an elder law attorney can provide this comprehensive expertise.

 

Connelly Law Offices’ legal and fiduciary teams are experienced in solving complicated elder law issues and negotiating personal matters involving emotional, familial and ethical issues associated with senior care.  We understand the issues that providers are dealing with and our expertise goes beyond the traditional legal arsenal to incorporate negotiation and interpersonal skills not normally associated with other areas of law.

 

We work as a part of your team that may include non-legal specialists such as doctors, caregivers, social workers, and facility administrators.  Through this collaboration, we develop a comprehensive and integrated financial, legal and healthcare plan.  We understand the role each professional serves in order to competently assist residents/clients with their long-term needs.

 

Addressing elder law issues at the beginning of the service episode can avoid costly, time-consuming and unnecessary problems in the long term. 

 

Wills

 

A will is an essential estate planning document. If your client/resident dies without a will, their assets may be administered by the courts and distributed in a manner contrary to their wishes. Our team can craft a will tailored to the unique needs of your client/resident.

 

Probate

 

Probate is the legal process of proving that a deceased person's will is valid. If probate becomes necessary, our team can help with probate administration and the common needs required in the probate process through the final distribution of your client/resident’s assets.

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Power of Attorney (POA)

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The Power of Attorney is the most important estate planning document for your resident/client.  A POA is a legal document which appoints an agent to handle your client/resident’s legal, medical and financial affairs while they are alive. The agent can also be appointed to act when they are alive and have lost the mental capacity to make decisions. Our team will ensure your client/resident’s legal, medical and financial matters are addressed with their best interests in mind.

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Guardianship

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A guardianship is a legal proceeding in which a guardian is appointed to exercise the legal rights of an incapacitated person. If you think the creation of a guardianship may be in the best interest of your client/resident, our team can provide you with the services you need.

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Advance Care Directives

 

Advance Care Directives specifically deal with your client/resident’s health, accommodation and personal welfare. It sets out their wishes as to what is to happen if they are in the final stages of a terminal illness or in a coma or a vegetative state and unable to make difficult but vital decisions. Our team can help guide your client/resident through this process.

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Medical Assistance

 

Medicaid planning is a part of long-term care planning. Without sound legal advice, people in this situation can make poor decisions that can consume their life savings and lead to significant financial hardship.   We review each situation and recommend the solutions that are right for your client while obtaining the nursing home care that is needed.

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Medicare Applications

 

For those who have special needs or are incapacitated, we can assist in signing up for Medicare and Social Security benefits, including exploring supplemental plans for  Part D benefits.  If a person is eligible to enroll but cannot do so for medical reasons, there could be a gap in coverage as well as a penalty assessed.  We can assist with the process including becoming a rep payee.

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Trusts

 

A trust is an arrangement in which a trustee holds and manages money or other assets for the benefit of another. Trusts may be created to accomplish broad or specific goals.  Our team can develop an effective strategy that meet the goals of your client/resident.

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Professional Fiduciary Services

 

Connelly Law can provide fiduciary services to your residents/clients.  This includes Daily Money Management Services for seniors who struggle to handle their financial responsibilities.  Seniors can get help with:

 

• Paying bills

• Making deposits

• Maintaining financial records

• Communicating with creditors

• Guarding against identity theft

• Creating and maintaining a budget

• Representative Payee services

• Tax preparation

• Real estate and property downsizing

 

Request our Wealth Management brochure for a comprehensive overview of our fiduciary services.

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Real Estate Services

 

Connelly Law Offices provides a full range of residential and commercial real estate services.  For more than 20 years our staff have handled real estate concerns whether related to a simple purchase to more complicated wealth management planning.  Our experienced real estate professionals can assist in downsizing estates, transfers, and liquidation of assets through sales and auctions.  We also assist in more general liquidations of property.