Maryland Elder Law

Maryland Elder Law Practice by Pathfinder Law Group

Are you concerned about how you will pay for your loved one's care as they get older? Do you need help with long-term care planning and effectively utilizing Medicaid? Are you worried about guardianship for a loved one? Has a loved one been impacted by elder abuse or nursing home negligence?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we understand and you have come to the right place.

We know that medical care can get expensive. We know long-term care planning and Medicaid can be complicated. We know all the complex ins and outs related to guardianship. We know how to take legal action to protect against elder abuse and negligence.

If you are trying to:

  • Get assistance for an elderly spouse, parent, or family member
  • Figure out how you will be able to afford a loved one's care
  • Secure guardianship for a loved one
  • Figure out the complicated world of Medicaid
  • Determine what to do if you suspect elder abuse or nursing home negligence

…Then keep reading!

PathFinder Law Group understands what you're going through, and we are experts in Maryland Elder Law.

What is Maryland Elder Law?

Maryland Elder Law is estate planning for adults over 55, especially concerned with asset protection in a Medicaid context.

Maryland Elder Law is a unique area of legal practice that focuses on the specific needs and concerns of older adults. As people age, they face unique legal and financial issues, such as long-term care planning, estate planning, and healthcare decision-making.

Elder Law attorneys are trained to address these issues and provide guidance to help seniors and their families make informed decisions.

Elder Law includes:

  • Paying for health and long-term care
  • Estate planning
  • Medicare/ "Medigap" Insurance
  • Legal Capacity Counseling/Guardianship
  • Elder abuse
  • Nursing home negligence

The purpose of hiring a Maryland Elder Law attorney is to prevent and solve issues in these areas.

We are here to help

Schedule a Risk Free Consultation to discuss all your Maryland Elder Law needs.

"How Can a Maryland Elder Law Attorney Help Me?"

Here is a list of the most common challenges that Elder Law solves, and how an experienced Elder Law attorney can help:

Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care planning refers to making decisions about how to pay for extended care, which can include nursing home care, assisted living, or home health care. Long-term care planning involves exploring a variety of financial options, such as long-term care insurance, Medicaid planning, or personal savings.

A Maryland Elder Law attorney can provide you with guidance on the best options available and help you make informed decisions about how to plan for your loved one's long-term care needs. By taking the time to plan ahead, you can ensure that your loved one has the resources and support they need to maintain their quality of life and dignity as they age.

Estate Planning

Estate Planning involves creating a plan for how someone's assets will be managed and distributed after they pass away. This can include creating Wills and Trusts, designating beneficiaries for life insurance policies and retirement accounts, and making arrangements for the distribution of personal property. Estate planning can also involve planning for incapacity or disability by establishing Powers of Attorney or creating advance directives.

A Maryland Elder Law attorney will support you through the estate planning process, ensuring that your loved one's wishes are respected, and all loved ones will be provided for after they are gone. Estate planning gives you and your loved one peace of mind.

Medicaid Advanced Planning

Medicaid is a government program that provides financial assistance to help pay for long-term care services, but there are strict eligibility requirements. Medicaid Advanced Planning involves taking steps to ensure that your loved one qualifies for Medicaid if and when they need it. This can include transferring assets, setting up trusts, spending down assets to meet eligibility criteria, and much more.

A Maryland Elder Law attorney will coach you through the Medicaid planning process, ensuring that you or your loved one has access to the care they need while also protecting their assets and financial well-being. By engaging in advanced planning, you can gain peace of mind and ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for the future.

Medicaid Crisis Planning

Medicaid Crisis Planning can help if your loved one requires long-term care services, but has not engaged in Medicaid Advanced Planning and may not meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. It involves taking urgent steps to qualify for Medicaid benefits, such as spending down assets or re-titling assets.

Medicaid Crisis Planning is complex and time-sensitive, and a Maryland Elder Law attorney will provide valuable guidance and advocacy to help you and your loved one navigate the entire process. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can take immediate action to obtain the care they need while also protecting their financial well-being. This means they will have access to the care they need during a difficult and stressful time.

Guardianship

Guardianship is when a court appoints an individual or entity to make important decisions for another person who is unable to do so on their own. This arrangement involves making decisions related to healthcare, finances, living arrangements, and other important matters.

Guardianship proceedings can be complex and emotional, and it is important to have an experienced attorney to support you through this process. A Maryland Elder Law attorney helps families explore alternative options to guardianship, such as Powers of Attorney or advance directives. By engaging in thoughtful guardianship planning, you can make sure that your loved one is cared for and that their wishes are respected.

Elder Abuse

Protecting against elder abuse is unfortunately an important concern for many families and caregivers. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

A Maryland Elder Law attorney will help you and your family protect against elder abuse. They will also help take legal action to protect the rights and interests of your loved one if they experience abuse.

Nursing Home Negligence

If you are planning to rely on, or are already relying on long-term care services, nursing home negligence is an unfortunate but serious concern. Negligence can involve a variety of issues, such as medication errors, inadequate supervision, abuse, and other forms of neglect.

We all hope it will never happen, but if it does, a Maryland Elder Law attorney will take legal action to protect the rights and interests of your loved one. They will also help you navigate the complex legal and regulatory environment of nursing home care, and protect your loved one's quality of life and dignity. This means you can make sure that your loved one receives the care they deserve.

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Elder Law Attorney

Seeing our loved ones grow older can be tough, and now you have to think about how to pay for long-term care, navigate the headache that is the Medicaid system, try to gain guardianship, and potentially protect against abuse and neglect. Let us help.

An experienced Maryland Elder Law firm, like PathFinder Law Group, can help you by:

  • Drafting Estate Planning documents, such as Wills and Medical Directives
  • Planning for long-term care
  • Assisting you to qualify for Medicaid Advanced Planning
  • Quickly helping you qualify for Medicaid Crisis Planning
  • Solving issues related to Guardianship and Power of Attorney
  • Protecting your loved one from elder abuse and nursing home negligence

"What should I do first?

The first thing you should do if you are dealing with any of the issues mentioned above is to contact an experienced Maryland Elder Law attorney. The longer you wait, the harder the process will be. An experienced Elder Law attorney, like PathFinder Law Group, can help by creating Wills and Trusts, planning for long-term care, making sure your loved one qualifies for Medicaid, solving issues with guardianship, and much more.

Bottom Line

Maryland Elder Law is a crucial area of law that focuses on the legal and financial needs of older adults and their families. As people age, they face unique legal and financial challenges, such as long-term care planning, estate planning, guardianship, Medicaid planning, and protection against abuse and negligence. PathFinder is an Experienced Maryland Elder Law Firm

At PathFinder Law Group, we understand all the complex issues that come with navigating the Medicaid system, planning for your loved one's estate, planning for long-term care, navigating guardianship, and much more. PathFinder Law Group has helped scores of Maryland residents to address all their Elder Law needs.

What a Client Had to Say:

"We have met with Adam Zimmerman several times and found him to be attentive and detail-oriented. He explained the legal aspects of our particular process in understandable terms, making us feel extremely comfortable in his ability to serve our needs. His specialized knowledge helped guide the process without complication. We highly recommend Adam Zimmerman and his team" -Elaine

Let PathFinder Help

We know how important your loved one's care is!

Maryland Elder Law deals with complex processes during a stressful time in your life. Let the best Elder Law attorney in Maryland help you and your loved one today!

Contact PathFinder Law Group Today or call us at (443) 579-4529 for a free consultation.

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Maryland Elder Law FAQ

Who makes medical decisions in Maryland if there is no Power of Attorney?

  • If there is no Power of Attorney, medical decisions will be made either under the Maryland Surrogate Decision Makers Law or through Guardianship.
  • Under the Maryland Surrogate Decision Makers Law, decisions can be made by a family member if they prove that their loved one is incapable of making decisions for themselves.

What are the three types of Power of Attorney that can be put in place?

  1. Limited Power of Attorney-Only certain powers are granted.
  2. Durable Power of Attorney-Power of Attorney goes in place upon signing and will stay in place for the duration of an individual's disability.
  3. Springing Power of Attorney-Power of Attorney does not go into place until a physician certifies the individual's lack of capacity.

How do I get Power of Attorney for an elderly parent in Maryland?

  • To be appointed as the Power of Attorney for an elderly parent, the elderly parent needs to have the capacity to sign the document appointing the child as Power of Attorney.
  • If the elderly parent no longer has the capacity, the child will have to pursue an appointment of Guardianship.

Are you legally responsible for your elderly parents in Maryland?

  • No, Maryland has had no filial responsibility laws since 2017.

When should I visit an Elder Law Attorney?

  • If you or your loved one is 55 and older.
  • If you or a loved one is or will be unable to make decisions for themselves.
  • If you or your loved one needs or will need long-term care.
  • If you or your loved one is experiencing elder abuse or nursing home negligence.

What is Medicaid Planning?

  • In essence, medical planning is about Medicaid eligibility.
  • This can include readjusting assets, compiling financial information, determining income and resources available for care, and employing different strategies to preserve assets.

What is a Trust?

  • A Trust is a legal arrangement, where an individual turns over part or all of their estate to a "Trustee" to hold and administer their assets for them.
  • The "Trustee" is often a third party.

What is a Last Will and Testament?

  • A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that allows you to control what happens to your estate after you die.

To learn more about Wills in Maryland, here are some helpful resources from our blog: