Elder Law in Delaware

Estate & Elder Law Attorneys Focus on Aging-Oriented Legal Issues

Helping seniors deal with important problems in advance or when a crisis occurs

Elder law focuses on legal issues of special relevance to individuals as they grow older. This doesn’t mean that people should wait until they are advanced in years before addressing these matters. But in many cases younger people, busy with their lives, fail to properly plan for later years. Taking action to address important issues related to your health, finances and other matters often takes on added urgency as years progress and the end of life draws nearer. Estate & Elder Law Services can help you during these trying times. Principal and elder law attorney William W. Erhart is well known in the community for resolving elder law issues and often conducts seminars to keep clients informed about important issues. We help you deal with a crisis situation when it occurs and prepare you in advance for decisions related to healthcare, preservation of wealth and other matters.

Elder law issues cover a wide range of legal matters that become increasingly important as you age

As you grow older, the risk of serious health issues increases. Age may also cause you to reflect upon your life and think about your loved ones and how you can leave behind the assets and property accumulated during life and not be an undue burden on family members. Estate & Elder Law Services can help you deal with these issues in a confidential manner, bringing the peace of mind that comes with preparation and planning.

We can help you address these issues:

  • Estate planning: Effective strategies for handling your property during life and at death, through wills, trusts and other vehicles meant to preserve, protect and pass on your wealth
  • Powers of attorney: Appointment of agents to handle important issues on your behalf should you become unable to do so. Powers of attorney can address financial, healthcare and other matters requiring decisions even if you are no longer capable of making them yourself. These include advance healthcare directives permitted under Delaware law to address end-of-life and other healthcare situations.
  • Medicaid planning: Often used to help individuals qualify for government benefits related to long-term care, such as the cost of a skilled nursing facility or nursing home
  • Probate: All matters related to the court-supervised process that occurs upon death to identify and distribute your estate, including advice to your personal representative and defense of your will

An experienced elder law attorney is a vital asset for preparing and executing an effective estate plan. A lawyer can help you avoid probate, draft powers of attorney according to your wishes, help you qualify for long-term care or other benefits, and handle probate of your estate in accordance with the desires you express in your last will and testament.