Elder Law Forms & Documents

Family caregivers, especially those with medical power of attorney (POA), should assemble a folder containing these 9 important medical details that can be easily handed off to nurses, doctors and first responders when seniors need emergency health care.

A letter of instruction is an informal estate planning document that clearly communicates instructions and desires that are to be handled after a person dies. It guides surviving family members through personal, financial and funeral information.

Power of attorney documents allow caregivers to access personal information and make vital decisions for elderly loved ones, but some institutions require additional forms. See what other authorizations you may need to get.

If you anticipate needing to make medical decisions for elderly parents or your spouse in the future, make sure you have these 3 key legal documents in place.

An estate plan that will safeguard a senior’s health and finances consists of a will, advance directives and powers of attorney. Familiarize yourself with these basic legal documents before estate planning begins.

Advance care planning can make a critical difference in the lives of your parents as they age. An elder law attorney can help your elderly parents with advance directives, wills, living trusts and power of attorney before they get sick.

If you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s health and are involved in their daily care, it is very important to understand the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on caregiving for seniors.

Adding this one simple step when creating or changing a will, powers of attorney and other crucial legal documents can prevent unnecessary stress, legal problems and familial discord down the road.

Seniors and their caregivers often face legal issues that require professional counsel. Use these tips for hiring an elder law attorney who can help with government benefits, power of attorney or guardianship, estate planning, and more.

People, families and finances change over time, and these changes should be reflected in one’s estate planning documents. Consult an elder law attorney about your options for updating or cancelling a will to ensure your wishes are followed.

Helping a senior with their taxes this year? Get their financial affairs (and your own) in order early on to avoid unnecessary stress as tax day approaches.

Most people mistakenly believe that creating a will is a one-time task, but estate-planning documents should be reviewed regularly to ensure they still reflect your wishes.

Even if you were heavily involved in the decision to place an elderly loved one in a senior living facility, you must have certain legal documents in place to participate in conversations with staff about their medical care.

It is crucial to engage in proper legal planning with family members while they are still of sound mind. An elder law attorney outlines competency criteria that must be met in order to obtain valid legal documents before a crisis strikes.

Encouraging aging loved ones to plan ahead legally and financially can make it easier for a trusted individual to step in and help them should they lose the ability to make decisions due to an unexpected diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Having the proper authorizations in place and information on hand can help you save time and lessen frustration when contacting Medicare about coverage, claims and payments.

Would you know what to do if you suddenly had to take over managing money and paying bills for your parent? Here are 10 things you need to know before assuming this responsibility.

It’s easy to purchase an affordable power of attorney form online, but this option comes with some risks. An elder law attorney can explain how this tool works, help you avoid pitfalls and customize POA documents to meet your unique needs.

When becoming a new caregiver for an aging parent it can be difficult to know where to start. A comprehensive health assessment can help you make care decisions moving forward.

Eliminate the issue of potential disagreements about your future care by naming a single individual in the health care directive.