Do Older People Need Attorneys?

An old saying goes, “Getting old isn’t for wimps.” Nothing could be truer. Reaching age 60 or older in America means having lived a lifetime of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Those who’ve managed to reach this point in their lives deserve to rest assured that their lifetime of diligence is paying off and that they and their loved ones will be cared for. This assurance can come from working with an attorney who has an extensive background in elder law.

While many people may not consider it, hiring an attorney as you age can be one of the most valuable things you do for you and your family’s security. Aging in America comes with several unique legal opportunities, challenges, and requirements. That’s why if you’re over 60 and living in the Germantown area, it’s vital to contact J. Anthony Bradley at The Bradley Law Firm, PLLC. With three decades of experience serving the local community, he has a vested interest in protecting Germantown’s residents in their golden years.

What is Elder Law?

Elder Law is also called Elder Care or Elder Care Law. It refers to the collection of laws relating to individuals over the age of 60. Elder law covers a wide array of concerns, including but not limited to:

• Social Security
• Medicaid Planning
• Retirement and Savings
• Wills and Trusts

Navigating any one of these avenues can be challenging, especially for busy individuals who are still working, traveling, and living their best lives. This is especially true as improvements in healthcare and quality of life have allowed Americans 60+ to become more active and outgoing than ever before. For example, if you’ve had a fulfilling career and have chosen to continue working, you may not be considering retirement. Retired individuals who are healthy enough to do a lot of traveling may not have the time or resources to file Social Security documents. This is why an elder care attorney such as J. Anthony Bradley is so valuable for older individuals.

What Can an Elder Law Attorney Do for Me?

Elder law attorneys help you age so you don’t have to. This means that an elder law attorney can handle the more difficult, bureaucratic aspects of aging on your behalf. This allows you to vacation, travel, spend time with family, work, and rest.

One example of a valuable service provided by an elder law attorney is estate planning. This is the process of ensuring your loved ones will inherit what you want, and that the legacy you’ve built for yourself will go on to benefit future generations. Estate planning is a complex process that prepares you and your loved ones for the future, including trusts, investments, wills, real estate deeds, and more. Estate planning can be a daunting task on your own at any age. Planning for an estate that you’ve built over a lifetime of hard work can be especially challenging.

Elder law attorneys are well-versed in various aspects of aging and can help eliminate a lot of guesswork and research. For example, an elder law attorney can help you navigate filing for and receiving Social Security. Elder law attorneys are also experienced in retirement planning, investing your savings, and more.

Is it Necessary to have an Elder Law Attorney?

While it is not legally required for anyone to have an elder law attorney, most people age 60 and up find that having a lawyer in their corner significantly eases the aging process. This is because elder law attorneys are experts at taking the stress away from their clients. Elder law attorneys may also prove to be vital allies under challenging circumstances.

For example, say you are incapacitated due to an accident or illness. Under many circumstances, your loved ones may be forced to make hard decisions during a challenging time. Most elder care attorneys plan for these contingencies and work with their clients to develop living wills. These are documents that preserve your written wishes for what you want to happen regarding your life, finances, and health should you become ill. This means that, should you be incapacitated, your attorney can step in and address the situation using your own words and desires.

Elder care attorneys can also ease the end-of-life transition. Most elder care attorneys help their clients draft wills and estate plans and aid in the administration of the estate. This means you can relax and enjoy time with your family, knowing they’ll be taken care of.

What Should I Do if I Need an Elder Care Attorney in Tennessee?

Getting old isn’t for wimps. You’ve made it this far, so why not sit back, relax, and enjoy life’s rewards? That’s the opportunity J. Anthony Bradley and the Bradley Law Firm, PLLC, offer to all its clients. With over thirty years of experience in the legal field, J. Anthony Bradley approaches every case with care and compassion, handling his clients’ concerns so they can focus on what really matters most. If you or a loved one is over age 60 and wants to learn what an elder care attorney can do for you, don’t hesitate to call us today at 901-441-8215 to schedule a consultation.