Elder Law

Elder law attorneys specialize in services that many people often require at later stages in life, whether someone is in their 40s, 50s, or beyond. Your needs for your growing family will evolve as you get older or when taking care of an aging parent. Decisions or lack thereof made earlier in life can have unintended legal consequences later. You and your loved ones can prepare for legal issues in many ways. Estate planning documents create a strategy to help deal with the potential need for other people to make financial and medical decisions for you and to help you to qualify for government assistance. Planning in advance is a strategy that allows you to ensure your wishes for housing, long-term health care, and asset protection are realized.

Long-term Care

Long-term care planning is a legal strategy that helps your loved ones plan for the high cost of different healthcare services as they age. Proper long-term care planning avoids the worry of losing your savings and hard-earned assets to the rising cost of health care.

Do you need help with the high cost of health care, qualifying for government health care programs, or protecting your home and assets?

Rogers Law Group, LLC can provide you with a better understanding of long-term care planning, so loved ones can live as independently and safely as possible on their own.

When the need for nursing home care arrives, the cost is shocking. In 2022, in the Cleveland area, it can exceed $100,000 a year. Depending on an individual’s need for care, there are some options to consider for paying for long-term care services. Some of these options include:

• Medicaid coverage
• Veterans’ benefits

Indeed, without the aid of government programs. Long-term care can place a heavy financial burden on seniors and their families.

Medicaid Planning

The complex Medicaid application process makes it necessary to hire professional help with the application. Minor mistakes in the application itself, without proper documentation in the timeline allowed, will lead to delays or denials. This means family members are responsible for unpaid bills to a nursing home until approval can be obtained. It’s overwhelming when long-term care services are urgent.

Medicaid takes time to search for any transfers of assets, including gifts to children, grandchildren, churches, charities, and friends, during a five-year look-back period. Incorrectly transferring assets may result in a penalty period related to Medicaid eligibility. This is why it makes sense to proactively plan for the potential need for long-term care at least five years before the need arises. It also ensures that a spouse is able to retain their own income and preserve the family home.

Veterans’ Benefits

If you or a loved one is a veteran, you may qualify for many types of VA resources and aid. Many of these resources can help you transition into your retirement years and provide support for spouses and children.

Some VA benefits include:

• Veteran Supplemental Income Program
• Survivors Pension Program
• Aid and Attendance Benefits
• Veterans Life Insurance
• Disability Compensation
• Geriatrics and Extended Care Services
• Veterans Burial Benefits

Qualifying for VA Benefits

Depending upon the category of discharge, a veteran who served in an active role in one of the branches of the United States Armed Services may be entitled to health care benefits from the Veterans Administration (VA).

Veterans’ benefits are generally more expansive than most people think. Depending on the dates of service and time frames for active duty, we can help you determine eligibility and submit the application correctly the first time.

Guardianship

A guardian acts in the best interest and for the protection of an incapacitated individual. Appointing a guardian is a legal process that takes time and understanding to navigate. It also involves different types of guardianship for the person, their estate, or both.

Sometimes we are facing a progressive illness or are caring for an aging parent who is unable to fully care for themselves. When it becomes impossible to manage bills, medical care, and daily living independently, guardianship likely becomes a necessity. Guardianship allows a named individual to legally make medical and financial decisions on behalf of the person (ward) needing help. We can help you through guardianship proceedings and ensure the right type of guardianship is in place.

As an attorney, John’s focus is on estate planning and elder law services for clients in Lake County and the surrounding areas. Admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2002, John has an extensive history as a public servant and is a trusted member of the community.

Take the first step and contact us today to set up an initial consultation, or call 440-357-5558.