Adult Illness, Elder Law, estate planning

The Cowboy Code

By Attorney Rick Law of the Estate, Asset and Retirement Tax Lawyers at Law Elder Law.  Home of the Estate Planning Center at Law Elder Law in the Western Chicagoland suburb of Aurora, in Illinois. I grew up (like most baby boomers) in the age of the TV Cowboy Hero. We were saturated with the “Code of the West” as the good guys of the cinematic Old West rode, roped, and fought their way into our hearts and minds. The Good Guys wore white hats (with the exception of Hopalong Cassidy) and selflessly fought evil as they helped the poor, oppressed, innocent, and vulnerable. It was always easy to recognize the Bad Guys… They didn’t just rustle stock from the honest folk. As a clear allegory for our now adult lives, the bad guys often came in the form of bankers and businessmen… misusing their power and position to cheat good and hard-working citizens out of their homes, ranches, and livestock. Like many idealistic law students, I carried that “cowboy code” inside me. I imagined using my legal skills to fight injustice and protect the innocent—just as my heroes had done. But I soon found that real lawyering is seldom as glamorous and interesting as a TV show, so I spent the better part of my first 25 years becoming very efficient and effective at moving mountains of documents for clients, mostly real estate and tax documents. It was not the work of a hero, but it paid the bills. Around 2000, due in large part to the aging issues of my parents, and my parents’ generation, I became a part of a small “tribe” of lawyers who practice elder law.  A combination of estate planning, taxation, health care, Medicare, Medicaid, elder abuse, and more, elder lawyers focus on assisting the frail and elderly to help achieve their goals of quality health care, while striving to avoid needless impoverishment. As I mentioned, I have been touched by a loved one’s long-term illness or a disability, and because of this, I strive to help the ones who need help the most; the widow(er), the caregiver spouse/adult child, and the frail elderly.  That, to me, makes being an elder law attorney the modern equivalent of Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, or Hopalong Cassidy. Too many families needlessly lose everything they have.  Don’t let that be you.  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, 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.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!