Oklahoma: Elder Law lawyers

Elder law, often called older adult law, is a legal are for issues affecting people over the age of 60. While older adult law naturally focuses on the needs of older adult citizens, family members and friends also need to be informed. Elder law covers a wide range of legal matters that are relevant to our aging population. Some of these concerns include:

• Estate and long-term care planning
• Guardianship and conservatorship
• Medicare and Medicaid
• Social Security benefits
• Elder abuse and neglect
• Age discrimination
• Healthcare decision making

Understanding the costs and options for long-term care, such as in-home care services, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, along with coverage options by government programs Medicaid and Medicare, can help inform your decisions and protect your assets. Early planning can help identify limitations on eligibility. Individual circumstances vary, so here is a list of strategies to consider:

• Long-term care insurance
• Medicaid planning
• Estate planning
• Asset protection trusts
• Gifts and transfers
• Professional guidance

Unfortunately, as we get older, we become more susceptible to older adult abuse. This is a serious and growing problem, made even more serious by the challenges involved in identifying and reporting such abuse. There are some ways to help prevent elder abuse and financial exploitation, including:

• Education and awareness
• Stay connected and involved
• Establish trusted relationships
• Financial management and power of attorney
• Caution with financial transactions
• Monitor financial account

There are various forms of older adult abuse, some less obvious than others. Every form is just as serious in terms of the harm that can be done to an older adult person's well-being or financial assets. Detecting older adult abuse is essential and can be lifesaving. If you suspect elder abuse, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities, such as adult protective services or law enforcement. Commonly recognized types of elder abuse include:

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Neglect
• Abandonment

Consider the following when deciding which law firm to hire for your elder law matter:

Comfort Level - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in providing legal advice and solving your problem?

Credentials - How long has the lawyer been in practice? What practice areas does the lawyer handle? Has the lawyer worked on other elder law cases similar to yours?

Cost - How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of resolving your legal issues?

City - Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

• Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
• Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
• Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.