WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GENERAL PRACTICE ATTORNEY AND AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY?

To understand the difference between a general practice attorney and an elder law attorney, first consider the difference between a general medical 5doctor and a doctor who specializes in heart surgery. The heart surgeon has completed all the general studying and training it takes to become a general doctor, but he or she has then gone on to do even more studying and practice to learn about one very particular and complex area of the human body. If you have a heart problem, who do you expect will be better equipped to treat you and bring you the best possible outcome? The heart surgeon, of course!

The same analogy applies when you compare general practice attorneys and elder law attorneys. The practice of law is a wide-ranging field that seeks to help people resolve legal and financial problems. Using an attorney in a general law practice means that your attorney will typically handle relatively straightforward matters. Some common reasons to work with a general practice attorney might be real estate closings when you sell your home, minor criminal offenses, or simple personal injury cases. These are all common legal concerns that can typically be handled by a general practice attorney.

On the other hand, an elder law attorney brings to the table the knowledge and experience to effectively guide you and your family through the intricacies of longevity planning. With an eye on the potentially devastating costs of chronic illness, your estate planning attorney can help protect assets with pre-planning and crisis planning to preserve quality of life and create meaningful legacy.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY?

Reasons to see an elder law attorney will generally pertain to more specific concerns with your personal and financial situation. Some examples of Visit an Elder Law Attorneyreasons to see an elder law attorney include:

  • You have never done any Elder Law
  • Your Elder Law was done more than five years ago
  • You have young children or grandchildren
  • You have children or grandchildren with problems
  • You have a disabled family member
  • You were recently divorced
  • You own one or more businesses
  • You own real estate in more than one state
  • You recently lost a spouse or other family member
  • You have an interest in donating some or all your estate to charity
  • You have substantial assets that may require sophisticated gift and estate tax planning

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY?

Going back to the earlier analogy about choosing a general medical doctor and a doctor who specializes, when you have any kind of medical Elder Law Attorney Relationshipcondition, you wouldn’t casually jump from one doctor to another. You want a doctor who has come to know you and who you have come to trust – someone in a position to give you the unvarnished truth.  

In an ideal situation, your estate planning attorney would be the quarterback of your financial team throughout the course of your life. Estate planning, done well, is a process, not an event!

As you begin to make your way in the world, your estate planning attorney might start with a Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, and Advance Health Care Directives. Or, help you plan for and handle an inheritance when parents or other family members include you as a beneficiary in their estate plan. 

Later, when you start a family, your estate planning attorney would not only update your estate plan, but also help you choose investment and insurance advisors. Your estate planning attorney should be there if you decide to start a business to help organize the structure of the business and create a solid buy sell agreement to protect your interests. As your life progresses, asset protection and tax planning become more important and your estate planning attorney should be there guiding the way.

Establishing a relationship with an estate planning attorney early can provide you with the opportunity to side step the financial pitfalls that life may throw at you and you will gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve done the best you can for yourself and for your family. You have little to lose and much to gain by having an ongoing and meaningful relationship with your estate planning attorney.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Our answer to this question is so in-depth, we’ve dedicated an entire page to it! Learn more about some of the key factors you should consider when choosing an elder law attorney by clicking here.