Rhode Island, Massachusetts & Florida Elder Law
The high cost of long-term care has made planning a critically important issue for most middle class seniors and their families. In fact, most seniors will likely require some form of long-term care. Sadly, many of them are unprepared for the significant financial burdens it places on their family’s hard earned savings. Financial devastation looms large for a family facing ongoing care at a rate of $10,000 or more per month.
In approaching your golden years, Fletcher Tilton can show you the many important considerations that should be addressed. What types of life sustaining care are you comfortable with? Will long-term care planning be necessary? Whom do you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf? How do you wish to pass on your legacy? These are not easy questions, but avoiding them only results in someone else making these decisions for you. Contact Fletcher Tilton to schedule a consultation with a Certified Elder Law Attorney.
Guidance from a Certified Elder Law Attorney
Because the attorneys at Fletcher Tilton, LLC have more than 70 years of combined elder law experience, we are able to thoroughly answer our clients' questions, explain their options in plain english, and work with them to create a plan that most effectively addresses their unique situation. Contact our Providence, Rhode Island law firm to speak with Attorney Michael T. Lahti, an experienced Certified Elder Law Attorney. Attorney Lahti is one of only five Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Rhode Island, and one of twenty seven Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Massachusetts.
CELAs must complete a rigorous full-day examination and demonstrate their focus on special needs and elder law. Once certified, a CELA must maintain a continued focus on elder law and special needs, and complete continuing education credits specifically targeted to advanced practitioners.
Comprehensive Elder Law in Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Florida
Fletcher Tilton is able to provide full service elder law guidance to clients locally in Southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida. We assist clients by answering their questions and planning for the many legal concerns that may arise in one's elder years. We provide reasonable and cost effective guidance with issues, such as:
Planning for incapacity: a sudden medical condition, surgery, or mishap may leave you incapable of handling your healthcare and finances. We assist clients with proactively creating health care proxies, living wills, powers of attorney, and other healthcare directives.
Nursing home planning and Medicaid planning: moving into a nursing home or other long-term care facility does not mean you have to put all of your assets toward the cost of residency. We assist clients with asset protection planning which enables them to be eligible for Medicaid without needlessly wasting their assets.
Long-Term Care Options
While some seniors are able to afford private pay care, Fletcher Tilton can show how the cost of long-term care will wipe out savings of all but the wealthiest families in a matter of years. Those who have planned ahead by purchasing long-term care insurance have a degree of certainty and peace of mind, knowing that they have a lesser need to rely on other sources in the future. Unfortunately, many can’t afford the high cost of long term care insurance or worse, because of age of medical condition cannot qualify for long term care insurance altogether. If you do have long-term care insurance, you should be aware of what your policy covers. Many policies have high deductibles or provide for only a short period of care in facility. In fact, many who have long-term care insurance still have to resort to Medicaid to pay for their care. Medicaid Eligibility
The other option to pay for care is Medicaid. A joint federal-state program, Medicaid provides medical assistance to low-income individuals, including those who are 65 or older, disabled or blind. Medicaid is the single largest payer of nursing home bills in America and serves as the option of last resort for people who have no other way to finance their long-term care. Although Medicaid eligibility rules vary from state to state, Fletcher Tilton can show how federal minimum standards and guidelines must be observed. |