Clients often ask, "When should I update my will?" A simple answer is "When something happens that makes you very glad, or very sad." That could be the happy long shot of winning the lottery, or the sadness of having a loved one diagnosed with a debilitating disease.
Whenever a parent needs help with daily needs in order to remain at home, the primary helpers or decision makers are usually the children. This is natural, and good, but can often lead to tremendous stress between the siblings.
When a loved one ends up in a nursing home for rehabilitation, the entire family is justifiably concerned about who will pay for that care, because cost of care can easily be $350 per day, and with rehabilitation services, much more.
Sometimes I get a quizzical look when I tell people I practice elder law. Sometimes they joke, "So you are an old attorney?" "Well, not quite", I say, "but elder law is more than general legal services for the elderly." I explain that an elder law attorney limits his practice to the issues that surround aging, including retaining independence, quality of life and financial security.
Research has discovered that as we age, our diets and our need for dietary supplements grow. Doctors are increasingly concerned about boosting the levels of vitamins and minerals needed as we grow older.
When families are suddenly faced with the need for a nursing home and Title 19 (Medicaid), they get on the phone and call our office with urgent questions about eligibility. That is not surprising, because in Connecticut the monthly cost can easily be between $11,000 and $13,000. Those are scary numbers, and most families simply cannot afford to pay privately.
