What Do We Do If We’re Already In A Crisis? It is the very nature of life and growing old that makes planning difficult.  Most people do plan ahead for retirement and even try to set enough aside to cover those unexpected things that life tends to throw at us. But what if your crisis is already here, long before you thought it would appear? Whether that crisis is a diagnosis that changes everything or a loved one who’s entered a nursing home, there may be steps you can take to protect what’s left. Every situation is different. If you need help paying the overwhelming cost of long term care, give our office a call at 800-310-3100.  Your first consultation is absolutely free.  We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family.  Call now, because when you’re out of money, you’re out of options! Sincerely, Rick L. Law,    Attorney and Estate Planner for Retirees. Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.  Appointments available in Chicago, Aurora, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Joliet.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!

How Do I Know If Hiring An Elder Law Attorney Is Right For Me? Procrastination is an easy thing to do. Sometimes when there’s an important decision to be made or a difficult project to complete (or start), it’s helpful to step back and assess the situation before diving in. The problem is, when it comes to your health and financial well-being, hesitation can lead to disastrous consequences.  My law firm exists to help people navigate the complex process of aging with dignity. It’s more than just paperwork… If you’re facing a tough or uncertain road ahead, you may need a trusted guide with experience in dealing with the changing laws and complexities of growing old.  Or perhaps you’re approaching retirement and you’d like to start planning for the coming years in order to protect your family.  We may be able to help. So how do you find out if an elder law attorney is right for you? The best way to find out is to call us toll free at (800) 810-3100!  We’ll help you assess your situation.  If we can help, we’ll let you know and work out a plan that’s right for your family.  If we’re not a good fit for you or if we know another organization that could serve you better, we’ll let you know that, too. Sincerely, Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees. Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.  Appointments available in Chicago, Aurora, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Joliet.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!

When Is The Best Time To Start Planning? Have you ever thought about your retirement, your future, and your golden years?  Have you ever considered whether the planning you’ve already done is going to be enough to sustain you and your family through the rest of your life and beyond? Let me tell you about Glenda… Glenda and her husband Paul were a typical happily married couple. She was a small business owner, and he was an engineer. For most of their adult lives and through their 38 years of marriage, they had budgeted and scrupulously saved and planned for their retirement. What they did not expect was for Paul to fall ill with Parkinson ’s disease just 2 years before his retirement. Paul’s diagnosis made them realize that they truly didn’t know if their life savings was going to be enough. Glenda’s steadfast research brought her to the conclusion that there was hope. There was indeed a way for them to get through this ordeal without going broke….but not without help! So how will you know when to start planning? Quite simply, planning sooner rather than later is always best.  The earlier you start, the more options you may have.  Don’t let yourself or your loved one end up out of money and out of options before you take the next step. If you’re ready to start getting your estate in order and secure your assets for the “worst-case” scenario, please give our office a call at 800-310-3100 or 630-585-5200. Your first consultation is absolutely free. We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family. Call now. Sincerely, Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees. Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future. Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care. Appointments available in Chicago, Aurora, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Joliet. Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!

The property power of attorney or “durable” power of attorney document appoints an agent and gives that agent certain powers to manage your financial affairs. In Illinois and many other states, these documents are statutory (set out in state law as a form) and can be obtained online or in many office supply stores. However, do not assume that ease of access means ease of completion. There are many issues to be considered when completing the power of attorney document – personal and legal matters that should be discussed with someone who knows the right questions to ask and who possesses the right understanding of the powers that will be or can be granted under a power of attorney. In Illinois, the general powers to manage financial affairs are listed in the statutory document as “a-o,” and these powers can be limited or broadened. It is important to have this explained to you by legal counsel, since the “instructions” can be confusing and there are many important powers with regard to gifting, trust management, changing beneficiaries and other broad powers that must be explored and explained. I often see power of attorney documents that have been completed incorrectly, with choices left blank, multiple choices checked where there should only be one, improper witnesses (witnesses cannot be “interested parties” and certainly cannot be the named agents), and many other errors and omissions. And here’s a tip: If possible, always list back-up agents. If your primary agent cannot serve due to death, incapacity or unwillingness to serve, you want to make sure that you have listed back-up agents in your power of attorney document. If the principal (you) becomes incapacitated and then your agent dies with no back-up agents listed, the principal (you again) requires a guardianship action to appoint someone to be the guardian of the person and estate. That means you literally become a ward of the court. Too many families needlessly lose everything they have.  Don’t let that be you.  If you need help building a fortress around your estate to protect it from creditors, predators, and the cost of chronic disease, give our office a call at 800-310-3100.  Your first consultation is absolutely free.  We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family.  Call now, because when you’re out of money, you’re out of options! Sincerely, Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.  Appointments available in Chicago, Aurora, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Joliet.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!

With a healthcare power of attorney document, you appoint an agent who has the ability to talk to your doctors, get your medical records, get a second opinion or consult on your life support wishes, to name a few of the major areas in which your agent can act on your behalf. We start with the basic statutory forms and then customize those forms for each individual client and also for specific elder law issues that need to be addressed. You can direct your agent to withhold or withdraw life support under certain circumstances.  Our powers of attorney documents for healthcare discuss particular life support measures that a person may want to consider, such as feeding tubes, ventilators and hydration. We also discuss life-sustaining measures in the event of advanced dementia. Your healthcare power of attorney document may also address your wishes with regards to organ donation and can state your intentions regarding disposition of your body after death, including autopsies, cremation or other instructions. And here’s a tip: Don’t put burial instructions in your will. That document often does not come out until after the burial is completed. It’s often difficult for people to discuss life support decisions with their loved ones.  If you haven’t had that discussion with your family members, or if your existing power of attorney document doesn’t address these issues, now is the time to call us at 800-310-3100.  Your first consultation is absolutely free.  We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family.  Call now, because when you’re out of money, you’re out of options! Sincerely, Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.  Appointments available in Chicago, Aurora, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and Joliet.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!