Elder Law - Trusts and Estates

The firm's Elder Law Practice Group provides diverse assistance to its clients in all areas of elder law planning, including Medicaid planning, Special Needs or "Pooled" Trusts, and estate planning -- all with the aim of assisting clients in the preservation of their assets and orderly distribution of those assets to their heirs.

Members of the practice group advise clients concerning the transfer of their assets to their beneficiaries with the goal of minimizing or eliminating estates taxes and other charges against the estate. These attorneys also assist clients in the probate process, serving personal representatives in the administration of estates of all sizes. They also counsel estate and trust beneficiaries in their rights and duties.

The group also practices in the area of guardianship law. Attorneys meet with family members, care-givers, medical professionals and others to prepare guardianship plans, appear in court to establish voluntary and involuntary guardianships, and work closely with professional and lay guardians to protect the interests of anyone who needs guardianship care, also known as a "ward." In this arena, the practice group keeps current on laws affecting both guardian and the ward, including Medicare and Medicaid law, HIPAA, and ERISA.