Fairfax, VA Elder Law Attorney

As people grow older, they may encounter challenges during their daily lives, and they may need assistance with financial matters or personal care. Elder law may address the legal and financial issues that can affect an elderly person and their loved ones. It can provide a person with assistance in certain areas, plan for long-term care in a nursing home, and make sure issues related to estate planning have been addressed correctly. Taking steps to address elder law issues before a crisis arises can help protect a person's rights and make sure their needs will be met.

At Robinson Law, PLLC, our elder law attorney works with seniors and families in Fairfax and the surrounding areas to address legal issues that may arise later in life. He can help an elderly person maintain dignity and protect their well-being while making sure the proper steps have been taken to address issues that may arise in the future.

Planning for Incapacity

One of the most important steps a person can take as they age is to make sure people they trust will be able to make decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. This can ensure that if a person experiences physical health issues, cognitive decline, or anything else that may affect their ability to care for themselves and manage their affairs, a loved one will be able to step in and provide assistance.

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney will allow a family member or another trusted person to act on an elderly person's behalf when addressing financial or legal issues. This can be an essential planning tool for seniors, since it can give someone the authority to manage their bank accounts, pay different bills, buy or sell property, file tax returns, and handle other financial concerns. By creating a durable power of attorney, a person can ensure that these issues will be handled correctly in the event of incapacitation.

Advance Medical Directives

An elderly person can make sure someone will be able to make decisions about their medical care in the event that they become unable to communicate or make decisions on their own. An advance medical directive can provide instructions for what types of treatment a person wants to receive, and it can also address end-of-life care. By taking steps to address these issues ahead of time, a person can help their family avoid uncertainty, and they can make sure their wishes for medical care will be followed.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

If a person had not created a power of attorney or advance directive, it may be necessary for a family member or another loved one to step in and address their needs. When a person is no longer able to care for themselves or manage their affairs, guardianship and/or conservatorship may become necessary. With guardianship, a person may seek to be appointed as a guardian by the court so that they can make decisions about a loved one's medical care and personal needs. With conservatorship, a person may ask to be given the authority to manage a loved one's financial affairs.