- Ronald J. Axelrod, Rochester, NY, Business Lawyer
Why Elder Law Attorneys Aren’t Just for the Elderly
Updated: Mar 20

As Elder Law attorneys in Rochester, NY, the legal services we provide to seniors and disabled individuals help them plan ahead and prepare for financial freedom and autonomy, we do this through preparing proper estate and long-term care plans. Hiring an experienced Elder Law attorney is vital for anyone facing the aging process – especially when a debilitating medical condition or disease is likely to develop that will leave you mentally or physically incapacitated. While having a proper will or trust is very important, it is even more important to have an incapacity plan with instructions on how you want to be cared for when you are unable to make these decisions for yourself.
Procrastination is Not Your Friend
It is human nature for elders and disabled people to procrastinate on making legal preparations in the event they become incapacitated. It is understandable since addressing these sensitive issues forces us to face our own mortality and recognize how fragile and unpredictable our remaining years may be. Another reason that seniors put off this important task is the assumption that the financial expense required to hire an elder law attorney will be prohibitive. An experienced attorney who does this on a regular basis should have reasonable fees as they have a process in place to deal with your needs. Although these may seem like valid reasons for not hiring an Elder Law attorney, you also need to consider your family and how not having a plan in place can negatively impact not only you, but them.

Your Family Matters
If your health declines and you are unable to care for yourself or your finances, some people naively assume that ‘everything will be taken care of’ by their family members. But the truth is that if you don’t have a solid legal health care proxy, will and wealth protection plan in place, not only can this negatively impact you, but it can result in unnecessary stress and expense for your family members—those who will be left with the time consuming and costly task of fighting for the legal authority to act on your behalf. And if you don’t have family members that you can trust, this type of planning is even more important. This is just one of the many Elder Law attorney services available to you.
Legal Issues Your Elder Law Attorney Handles
Elder Law attorneys handle a wide variety of legal matters that affect older or disable adults including issues related to:
Powers of Attorney
Medicaid planning
Asset protection planning
Locating long-term care options
Guardianship and conservatorship
Health care proxies and living wills
Wills and trusts
Coordination with financial planners
End-of-life planning
Nursing home abuse and elder abuse
And other important matters

One Simple Appointment
Legal Guardianship proceedings can cause unnecessary expense and stress on your family. All of this can be avoided with one simple appointment with an Elder Law attorney, with the goal of acquiring medical and health care Powers of Attorney. The Elder Law attorneys and paralegals at Ronald J. Axelrod & Associates welcome the opportunity to work with you to help give you the peace-of-mind you and your family deserve. Call us today at (585) 203-1020 or contact us through our website’s CONTACT form.