Elder Law Attorney NJ

elder man in home careThe attorneys of Cosner Law Group provide indispensable legal services to the elderly and their families.  The Firm has an elder law group designed specifically to cater to the needs of the elderly and their children.  Staci A. Cosner, Esq. is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; she lectures frequently on Elder Law topics.  As people age, it is important for them to be aware of the benefits and problems specific to the elderly.  We offer a free initial consultation to explain our available services and determine the needs of the family.

As Americans live longer, the legal and practical concerns confronting the elderly and their loved ones have grown increasingly complex.  At Cosner Law Group, our experienced elder law attorneys assist clients and their families to navigate these issues through proper planning.  Among other things, we prepare powers of attorney and advance health care directives which ensure that proper medical treatment will be provided as needed.  Our attorneys also provide advice concerning long-term care options.

If you or an elderly loved one needs legal advice about any area of elder law, from Medicaid planning to long-term care financing, contact our East Brunswick elder law attorneys. Call (732) 937-8000 to schedule a free initial consultation. 

Representing the elderly and their families to assure a safe and secure future

Our lawyers provide a full range of services to seniors and their families, including:

  • Planning for Medicaid, Medicaid applications, and asset protection planning
  • Determining eligibility and applying for Medicaid and other public benefits
  • Estate planning and probate
  • Preparing documents such as wills, powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, and living wills.
  • Establishing a trust
  • Financing long-term care, including options such as nursing homes, assisted living care, and home care
  • Applying for Guardianship and conservatorship when incapacity or special needs leave loved ones unable to care for themselves
  • Advising about health care decisions
  • Living independently
  • Representing the elderly in cases of elder neglect or exploitation
  • Fighting age discrimination

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 changed the rules for Medicaid eligibility. These changes make it critical to obtain the advice of an experienced elder law attorney. Make sure that decisions you make today will not have a negative effect on your financial and physical health in the future.  We offer a free initial consultation to explain our available services and determine the needs of the family.

Medicaid Planning and Asset Protection

Medicaid Planning and Asset Protection services are designed to preserve the assets of the elderly, in the event long term care becomes necessary.  Medicaid covers home-based services, assisted living and/or nursing home care. Elders are required to pay their own costs for long term care, which could diminish their assets or substantially reduce their estate. Our advice, consultation, and implementation of a Medicaid plan will enable the government to assist in these costs. Medicaid applications when necessary are difficult and our trained staff helps our clients through this difficult process. Setting up a prepaid funeral trust is one example of pre-planning that can save the family funds and anguish.

What is the role of an attorney?

Laws concerning Medicaid are quite complex and their interpretation varies from state to state. Also, these laws are always changing. Elder law attorneys provide legal expertise in understanding these laws and their changes. We ensure that you or your family member will qualify for Medicaid and assist with the challenging process of applying for Medicaid.

Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives

law and healthAlzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other debilitating mental diseases are some of the all-too common problems facing our elderly clients.  Our attorneys are committed to ensuring that the needs and desires of these clients concerning potential future financial and medical decisions are met, even when the clients are unable to communicate their wishes at the time these decisions must be made.  Common legal documents that our attorneys frequently prepare for our elderly clients include powers of attorney and advance directives, or health care directives.  In these documents, the elderly client designates a person to carry out the elderly person’s financial and medical wishes.  Those wishes – the elderly person’s financial goals, as well as his or her instructions regarding medical procedures or life-sustaining techniques that may be utilized in the future – are set forth in these legal documents.  In this fashion, Cosner Law Group enables our elderly clients to provide clear instructions regarding their wishes to their agents – typically, though not always, family members – even after the elderly may be unable directly to communicate those instructions.

Planning for Long-Term Care

Statistics show that 70% or more of individuals over the age of 65 will need some form of long term care during their lifetime.  Statistics further show that health care, particularly long-term care, in the United States is expensive and that these costs will continue to rise.  If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that will require long-term care, we recommend that you have a long-term care plan.  Proper planning now will enable you to manage the costs of care without totally depleting your life savings.  Elderly people and their families unfortunately overlook the multi-faceted aspects of long term care planning until it is too late.  The elder law attorneys at Cosner Law Group provide skilled guidance and counseling concerning long-term care Medicare and Medicaid eligibility and other options that will be right for you and your families. With proper planning, we can help you choose the long-term care option that best fits your needs.

Guardianships and Conservatorships

It is well-known that people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other physical and mental disabilities often gradually become unable to independently care for themselves.  Even the most basic tasks, like brushing one’s teeth, getting dressed, feeding, and bathing become greatly challenging.  If this happens to a loved one, a guardianship or conservatorship may be one way to help you take care of that person.  The attorneys at Cosner Law Group can guide you through the complicated legal process that allows you to become the Court-ordered guardian or conservator for your loved one.  We can help you to ensure that your loved one will receive appropriate personal care and that his or her finances are handled properly.  In this way, our attorneys help you to maximize the quality of life for your loved one.

Help for Families of Elder Law Clients

Millions of families throughout America currently are caring for an elderly loved one.  We know that being in this caretaker role often is time consuming, expensive, and physically and mentally draining, particularly when it is added to your other family and work obligations.  Our experienced elder law attorneys have counseled many families in this position, and we can draw on that experience to provide the guidance, support and encouragement that will help you properly to care for your loved one.

Conclusion

The elder law attorneys at Cosner Law Group can provide you with the appropriate legal guidance to plan for your financial, medical and long-term care.  Contact an experienced elder law attorney at our office to set up a free initial consultation in this area.  Proper planning now will reduce the financial and emotional hardship and stress you and your loved ones will face in the future.