Collin County Living Well Magazine Fall 2013 | Page 10

Lori felt like she was not serving her community as much as she had wanted, and not fully dedicating herself to the values of community service she learned at a young age. After starting and leading an adult Sunday school class at her church for several years, and raising two small children, Lori’s focus shifted. She began attending seminary, while continuing to practice law, and seriously considered changing her career from law to fulltime ministry. But after much soul searching, Lori decided to find a way to combine her love of the law with her passion for service. “I discovered my true mission when I opened my Elder Law practice. I could see the unmet needs of the aging population in North Texas, and I knew I could make a difference in the lives of so many people.” So what exactly is Elder Law? This relatively new type of law practice encompasses a variety of legal challenges, including some of the more complex issues such as guardianships for people who have become incapacitated and can no longer care

not sufficient to protect an individual who has become incapacitated. In those cases, a guardianship may be necessary, although it is always our last option,” says Lori. “One of the only ways to ensure you have some control in the selection of a guardian is to sign a Declaration of Guardian while you have capacity. A Declaration of Guardian allows you to choose who you do, or do not, want appointed as your guardian, if the time ever comes when that’s necessary,” she explains. “A little advance planning can make things a lot easier down the road. Letting your wishes be known ahead of time can prevent a lot of heartache and fighting.” Long-term care planning is another area where Lori and her team help in situations that can be really hard on everyone involved. Every week, Lori helps families who are faced with the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “Many of our clients have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and are facing difficult obstacles, whether they are in their early 50s or

serving our clients
for or protect themselves and long-term care planning to ensure that families are not facing financial ruin when caring for their loved ones. In a lot of cases, the options are limited by finances or family circumstances, but Lori is committed to serving the unique needs of each client. “Seniors are often overlooked and unheard, but not here. We care deeply about finding the best possible solution for everyone we represent,” says Lori. Lori shares stories of older women and men who were manipulated by someone they thought they could trust: a son, a daughter, a family friend, a teller at a bank, or even a caregiver. “These people each befriended an elderly person and then abused their position to exploit them, almost always in ways that were financial or material, as if the elderly person no longer mattered,” recounts Lori. “Finally, the families became suspicious and approached me for help.” Lori was able to help them obtain guardianships over their loved ones and protect each one’s well-being and financial security. A judge can appoint a legal guardian for someone who is suffering from dementia or any other disability that impairs judgment and decision-making. The appointed guardian will typically oversee personal affairs and finances. “Guardianships can be difficult, but are sometimes necessary to protect a loved one from exploitation by unscrupulous or misguided people,” says Lori. “It can be a sad reality of the world we live in––there are people who will take advantage of the weakest members of our society, and it can be very hard to know who to trust. Getting old is hard enough; it’s just wrong to exploit those who are the most vulnerable.” Lori’s advice to anyone concerned about the future and their ability to maintain control? “Medical and Durable powers of attorney to designate agents to assist with medical decisions and financial matters are vital to avoiding the need for guardianships. However, sometimes even these documents are late 80s. Each is a husband, father, wife, mother, or spouse. Their families have depended on them for so much and are devastated and terrified of what the future holds.” These situations are usually the kind of worst-case scenarios that can leave a family in financial ruin due to lost income, medical expenses, and nursing care costs. Lori empathizes with the fear these families face. “Sometimes, life just hits you hard and you don’t have a lot of options,” she says. “It’s impossible to plan for every unexpected circumstance that could arise in the future, but having your estate planning documents in order as soon as possible will definitely help.” According to Lori, there’s another important way to prepare for aging: get the facts on your health care coverage and available public benefits. Lori is frustrated by how many people don’t know what private health insurance and Medicare will and will not cover, “People are often shocked to find out that Medicare or their health insurance will not pay for long-term skilled nursing or assisted living care, which can cost thousands of dollars a month.” Lori can help clients qualify for other government benefits, such as Medicaid or Veterans’ benefits, but not everyone can qualify for these public programs, “If you have the advantage of time to plan in advance, long-term care insurance, or its equivalent, can make all the difference.” When Lori discovers that clients with debilitating illnesses are covered by long-term care insurance, she is relieved to know they will be able to afford to get the care they need. Having one less thing to worry about during these ordeals can be a blessing for the whole family, but not everyone has the same option. “Most families will do whatever it takes to care for their loved one, including exhausting themselves and their financial resources,” says Lori. “You’re doing your family a huge favor when you put a plan in place well before you need it.”

Everyone at Lori A. Leu & Associates is always working for one common purpose

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Collin County Living Well Magazine • Fall 2013