Dallas County Living Well Magazine November/December 2017 | Page 15

A Holiday Heart-to-Heart
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By Leu & Peirce, PLLC
uring the holiday season,
we are reminded that the
gifts we cherish the most
don’t come wrapped in a
box. Rather, it is the time
we spend with loved ones that makes
the greatest present of all. As you cel-
ebrate the holidays with friends and
family, sit down with the seniors in
your life to discuss their plans for the
future. There is more to planning for
the future than just an estate plan, and
informing your loved ones about Elder
Law topics will put them in control and
give them peace of mind. After all,
Elder Law is first and foremost about
empowering seniors.
Elder Law is not a new type of law, but
it is a relatively new way to bring sev-
eral areas of law together to benefit
a particular group of people––older
adults. Elder Law services enable you
to make your own choices and deci-
sions about managing life as you age.
Everyone wants to have some control
over the future, and Elder Law helps
you do just that. The main areas of
Elder Law include planning for your
living arrangements, financial well-be-
ing, healthcare options, and ultimate
disposition of assets. Helping seniors
learn about these Elder Law issues
may be the most valuable gift you give
this year.
Opening a conversation about aging
and care can be overwhelming. Consid-
er starting with these important topics:
Housing – No one knows exactly
what the future holds, but the key to
feeling secure is to keep all of your op-
tions open. There are a wide range of
living arrangements for seniors, from
retirement communities to assisted liv-
ing facilities to skilled nursing facilities.
Some people want to stay in their own
homes as long as possible and bring
in outside help to make that possible.
Others want the freedom from home
maintenance that a senior residence
community offers. Elder Law services
can help you weigh all the options and
make sure you have the right plans in
place for the future.
Finances – Money matters can be
especially complex for seniors. It’s
important to plan carefully and pre-
serve your assets for when you need
them most. Will your Social Security,
pension, or other retirement fund be
enough to pay all of your expenses?
Will you be eligible for public benefits
such as Medicaid or Veterans ben-
efits? Have you designated individuals
to act on your behalf in financial and
legal matters through a proper Dura-
ble Power of Attorney so your finances
can be protected if you cannot act for
yourself? Elder Law encompasses all
of these decisions within the context of
planning for long-term care.
Health – Healthcare in the United
States has become one of the most
confusing and uncertain issues we
face. If you have private insurance that
covers medical expenses or long-term
care, you need to be sure that chang-
ing laws and regulations won’t affect
your coverage. If you rely on Medi-
care and a Medicare supplement or,
alternatively, a Medicare advantage
plan to pay your healthcare costs,
do you know what your benefits will
cover when you need them? Elder Law
includes these issues, and can help
you outline your wishes for health de-
cisions through a Medical Power of At-
torney and Advance Directives.
Disposition of Assets – Elder Law
includes estate planning issues such as
wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and
property transfers. As time passes and
circumstances change, it is often nec-
essary to make changes to your plans
to control the disposition of your as-
sets during your lifetime and after you
pass. Further, depending upon the gov-
ernment benefits for which you may be
eligible, changes may be needed to
ensure your long-term desires are met.
Elder Law considers the importance of
planning to preserve assets and main-
tain eligibility for public benefits.
As this holiday season approaches,
consider having a heart-to-heart with
your loved ones about these important
Elder Law issues. The peace of mind
for your family will be the gift that
keeps giving for years to come.
Lori Leu, Erin Peirce, Lauren Olson, and Laura Chavero are Elder Law attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC in the
North Dallas area. They can be reached at 972-996-2540.
DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
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