Helping You Find And Pay For Long-Term Care
Many people worry about how they can avoid going into a nursing home. Some people are worried about not being able to afford it; others fear they will never find good quality care. The reality is, planning for long-term care is not something that you should be afraid of.
With the help of an experienced elder law attorney, providing for long-term care does not need to be an overwhelming process. At Lustig, Evans & Lucas Co., L.P.A., our lawyers have experience representing clients throughout Cleveland and surrounding areas of Ohio in elder law matters.
Contact our firm online or call 216-539-8094 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Locating A Good Nursing Home
When people reach out to our firm, we help them find solutions to their elder law concerns. Many clients we work with need assistance finding long-term care solutions, or they need help getting their finances in order.
As a trusted elder law firm, we know how to guide clients to the care they need. We can facilitate conversations between family members and other professionals to arrive at a satisfactory solution. We discover solutions to elder law problems including:
- The hiring of caregivers
- Financial management
- Medicaid planning
Many of the clients with whom we work do not have family members living in the area. We are committed to giving our clients the assistance they need for as long as it is needed. We never simply abandon our clients.
Guiding Cleveland Families: Elder Law Frequently Asked Questions
We offer free consultations. When families sit down with our elder law attorneys at these initial meetings, they often have the same worries and questions. Below are answers to some of the most common topics we discuss.
When should I reach out to an elder law attorney?
The best possible time to talk with an elder law attorney is as early as possible. Planning ahead gives you more options to protect your savings and choose the care you want. However, if a sudden illness or hospital stay requires immediate care, it’s not too late. Our experienced attorneys routinely help families handle crisis situations and secure necessary care even on short notice.
What is guardianship, and when might my family need it?
Guardianship is a court process where a judge appoints a trusted person to make decisions for an adult who can no longer handle their own affairs. This typically happens through probate court when an aging parent develops severe memory loss or physical impairment and doesn’t have valid power of attorney documents in place.
How can I protect my parent’s assets if they need nursing home care?
Protecting assets involves using legal tools like trusts, strategic gifting and Medicaid planning rules to cover care costs without draining a lifetime of savings. Nursing home care in Ohio is expensive, but proper planning lets you preserve the family home and assets for a spouse or children while still securing quality care.
How is power of attorney different from guardianship?
While both allow someone to manage legal, financial or medical decisions for another person, they work very differently in practice. Here are the key differences:
- How it starts: A power of attorney is created voluntarily by an individual while they are still healthy. Guardianship is a formal court proceeding required when someone is already unable to make decisions.
- Court involvement: A power of attorney is private and handles matters without court oversight. Guardianship requires regular reports to the probate court judge.
- Cost and time: Drafting a power of attorney is quick and affordable. Obtaining court guardianship takes more time, involves court fees and requires ongoing legal paperwork.
Putting a proper power of attorney in place early helps your family avoid the need for court-ordered guardianship down the road.
Can the same attorney handle both elder law and estate planning?
Yes. In fact, elder law and estate planning work hand in hand. Traditional estate planning focuses on what happens to your assets after you pass away, while elder law focuses on protecting your quality of life, healthcare and finances while you are living. Our attorneys integrate both areas so your plan protects you today and carries out your wishes in the future.
Speak With An Experienced Cleveland Lawyer — Schedule Your Free Consultation
Learn more about the long-term relationships we build with our clients and discuss your family’s legal options. Contact us online or call 216-539-8094 today for your free initial consultation.