CONSULTATIONS
If you are unsure of your legal options, then call our office for a consultation. The attorney will review your situation and outline directions that you can take. The pros and cons of each alternative will be discussed. Finally, you choose the alternative that you want. Consultations usually take about an hour. Charges range from one hundred fifty dollars to two hundred fifty dollars. 
PREPARATION FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CASES
Document Review and Drafting
Deliver copies of documents that you would like reviewed by mail, e-mail or fax. Please send the documents at least a week before your appointment.
Our drafts of documents will be mailed (e-mailed or faxed) to you for review. Take your time to carefully and thoroughly read the documents that we have prepared.
Estate Planning – wills, trusts, powers of attorney
At the initial interview, the attorney will ask you to decide the following.
- Who should be in charge of your care or finances?
- This person should know your wishes, be willing to take charge, and have the skills to do the job.
- Who is your second choice in case your first choice isn’t able to take charge?
- When should this person take charge (immediately, upon your disability, etc.)?
- How should your assets be distributed?
- Do you have any special requests for your care?
Medicaid
At the initial interview, the attorney will ask you for the following information.
- What medical problems do you need financial assistance for?
- What is your monthly income?
- What financial assets do you own?
- Excluding holidays and special occasions (e.g. birthdays), have you made any gifts during the last five years? If so, to whom and for how much.
- What insurance do you have?
- Are you a Veteran? If so, what benefits do you receive?
- Do you have a will, trust or power of attorney? If so, send a copy of it in advance of your appointment.Here is a very informative artilce written by Mike Wytychak
- Payment of Assisted Living and Nursing Home Bills Through the Medicaid Program.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
At the initial interview, the attorney will ask you for the following information.
- How are you related to the disabled person?
- What is the disability of the disabled person?
- What are the finances (i.e. income and assets) of the disabled person?
- Did the disabled person sign any powers of attorney, wills, or trusts? If so, send a copy of it in advance of your appointment.
- Who is willing to take responsibility for the disabled person?
- Who might object to the person who wants to take responsibility?
- List the names and addresses of the nearest relatives and persons named in any powers of attorney.
FEES AND PAYMENTS
At the beginning of every case, financial terms will be discussed and an agreement made. Charges and payments will be customized for each specific situation. Charges will usually be based on hourly service, unless other arrangements are agreed upon.
Call the office to get an estimate for the charges for your type of case.
Your case may incur costs, such as long distance telephone calls or courthouse filing fees. Advances for fees or costs may be necessary to start your case. Payment is expected at the end of the month as services are provided.
CONTACTING THE OFFICE
Please provide the necessary information on our contact page if you would like to be contacted about a legal issue related to Elder Law. Please be aware that your contacting us does not establish an attorney-client relationship, and information that you send us through this website may not be protected by the attorney-client privilege. Please DO NOT send us any confidential information through this website. You can always contact us during business hours by telephone.