Find Elder Law Attorneys in Port Arthur, TX

As time passes, baby boomers, as well as the generations that follow them, will face many serious choices related to retirement planning and elder care. An elder law attorney can help you make the right decisions that apply to your own future and to the care of your loved ones.

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Whether you need to connect with a general estate planning attorney or talk about more complicated legal matters related to elder law, the attorneys on this list can help you with your legal needs.

Use FindLaw to hire a local elder law attorney to assist with issues related to:

• Elder care transactions and planning
• Social Security retirement benefits and other Social Security topics
• Medicare and health insurance/health care issues
• Medicaid planning and other forms of asset protection
• Retirement planning
• Long-term care planning (which may involve nursing home care or assisted living facility options, or potentially home care)
• Estate planning
• Special needs planning
• Powers of attorney and advance directives (sometimes called a living will or medical directive)

Elder law attorneys are also able to help you protect elderly family members from issues such as elder abuse and financial scams that target elderly victims. A lawyer can help you determine whether this should involve a conservatorship or other type of protective measure.

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.

To find the right Texas lawyer, you need to ask questions pertinent to your legal case. You should find an attorney to meet your specific needs. Questions to ask before hiring a lawyer may include:

• How much experience do you have with cases like mine?
• Do you know the judge or prosecutor in this case?
• Should I take this case to mediation?
• What are your legal fees and expenses?
• Are you available after hours for questions?
• Which lawyers or associates will I be dealing with?
• Do I have to appear in person for my case?
• Where is your Texas law office located?

Some people find a lawyer based on a recommendation from a friend or family member but you should do your own evaluation. A friend who suggested a divorce attorney may not be in the best position to recommend a criminal defense law attorney or tax lawyer. Dealing with legal issues can be complicated and frustrating. You should find the right lawyer that you can connect with to provide you with information, advice, and the legal aid you need.

The cost of hiring a lawyer can depend on the type of law and the complexity of the case. Some lawyers offer a free initial consultation. A free consultation is more common in contingency fee cases like personal injury or medical malpractice. Some lawyers may require a fee for the initial interview. During the initial interview, the lawyer may be able to provide some important information, including your legal options, likely outcomes, and cost of legal services. An initial interview is also an opportunity for you to see if this person is the right lawyer for you.

The State Bar of Texas keeps Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct records of violations or grievances against attorneys in the state. You can use the search tool on the state bar website to check an attorney's public disciplinary history. The state bar search results should show the lawyer's disciplinary history (if any) in Texas and other states.