Pasadena, TX Elder Law Attorney

Elder law is a broad term for many of the legal and financial issues that seniors and their caretakers face. These are mostly related to things like obtaining Social Security benefits, applying for Medicaid, protecting assets from nursing home care, making a will and trust, designating powers of attorney, and otherwise planning ahead to get affairs in order. At The Law Office of Michelle E. Murphy, we know that seniors have special considerations, and we have extensive experience caring for their unique needs! Call our Pasadena elder law attorney today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can serve you.

What Elder Law Issues Our Firm Handles

Michelle E. Murphy frequently helps seniors navigate a variety of legal problems with confidence, resolving them in the most cost-effective manner possible and providing peace of mind every step of the way! We can assist you with:

Guardianships – As hard as this reality is to face, there may come a point in time during the final decades of your life where you are not able to take care of yourself, live independently, or make lucid decisions on your own. You need to be prepared (and prepare your loved ones) for when that time comes! You can designate a guardian who will be responsible for your care and well-being. In some cases, families may need to go to court in order to obtain guardianship status if it was not designated beforehand; this can be a complex process, but our Pasadena elder law attorney can advocate for you every step of the way.

Medicaid planning – About 70% of seniors will need to enter a nursing home at some point in their lifetimes. In Pasadena, the cost of long-term care can be astronomical – as much as $70,000 or even more annually! Seniors on fixed or low incomes usually can’t afford this, and aren’t aware that Medicare and private health insurance do not cover this particular cost. Medicaid can cover it, but you have to fall under a certain wealth threshold to qualify; you may find yourself having “too much” to be eligible, but too little to pay for care! We can implement certain asset protection strategies to shield your assets legally and help you qualify. 

Estate planning – Making a will, trust, power of attorney, and other legal tools can ensure that when you pass away, your hard-earned money will go to the family members, friends, and charities you decide on, and if you become incapacitated or fall ill, your healthcare decisions will be made by you or someone you trust. We can give you a comprehensive estate plan that is tailored to your unique needs! 

Social Security & Medicare – Part and parcel of retirement is getting Social Security and Medicare benefits, but there are application processes required for both of those and many complications that could arise. If you’ve been denied benefits, or don’t know where to start, we can give you reliable legal counsel and help you with the paperwork! 

And more!

The Benefits Of Working With A Pasadena Elder Law Attorney

Some seniors and their families attempt to handle these matters themselves, particularly when it comes to estate planning or making important legal documents, but a DIY approach will likely only end up costing you time, money, and stress down the road. That’s true for several reasons. 

The first is that downloadable templates or legal advice you find online may not be completely accurate, or compliant with the most recent Texas laws. If you do something like draft a document on your own, and you make an unintentional mistake, it could render the entire document invalid.

The second is that making documents and trying to apply for benefits and navigating other aspects of elder law is time-consuming. Doing the research and trying to contact the right parties on your own, and handling the paperwork yourself, is a hassle. It can take hours and days and weeks of your time, and your time is valuable! You should spend it enjoying retirement with your children and grandchildren, or traveling, or finding new hobbies – not sorting through legal matters. 

Our Pasadena elder law attorney, Michelle E. Murphy, has spent over 20 years assisting seniors with complicated legal issues. Her knowledge and compassion can make a difference for you! She can explain all of your options and next steps in a way that is simple and easy for you to understand. Call now to book your free consultation!