With the population of the United States consisting of more and more older adults, it’s important for them as well as their family members to think of what the future may hold regarding long-term care. However, many people put off this topic until the last minute, and that can lead to unfortunate results. In many cases, the elderly individual’s wishes may not be carried out to their satisfaction, and they may not have the financial arrangements in place that allow them to have the proper care they require later in life. To keep these situations from happening, many families now seek out the services of attorneys who specialize in elder law. If you or a family member are in need of these services, contacting a New York City elder law attorney may be necessary.
To ensure all goes well later in life, there are several important reasons to retain the services of an elder law attorney. For example, if you are concerned about your current long-term care plan, or have yet to construct a plan, an elder law attorney can advise you on the various options. In addition to this, an attorney can also help lay out a plan to make sure your wishes are carried out if you become disabled or incapacitated later on, and helps you decide who will be in charge of your care if you are unable to care for yourself.
Along with putting off planning ahead for long-term care, many people have little if any idea how much long-term care can cost. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive. For example, living in a nursing home in New York can cost as much as $14,000 per month, while assisted-living facilities can cost up to $5,000 per month. If a person has not planned ahead for these costs, they will need to be paid out of a person’s savings, which for many families is simply not possible. Because of these potential scenarios, it’s imperative to work with a New York City elder law attorney to have a solid financial plan in place well ahead of these circumstances.