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Bakersfield, United States Attorneys in related practice areas.
Elder Law in Bakersfield, and the United States at large, encompasses several fields including estate planning, wills, trusts, guardianships, protection against elder abuse (physical, emotional, and financial), and insurance. It also encapsulates issues related to health care, long term care planning, retirement, Social Security, and more. The goal of Elder Law is to preserve the rights, quality of life, and financial independence of older adults.
Elder law attorneys can help with navigating the complex web of regulations related to the elderly. If you or a loved one needs to plan for future medical care, has concerns about elder abuse, needs help managing finances or estates, an elder law attorney can be invaluable. They can also be instrumental in dealing with contested wills or if a loved one is unable to make decisions for themselves.
In Bakersfield, as in the rest of California, several laws specifically affect seniors. These include laws around mandatory reporting of elder abuse, decision-making rights if incapacitated, and rights related to Medicare and Medicaid. Bakersfield has specific protocols related to elder abuse, and violation of these can lead to significant penalties.
It can be physical, emotional, sexual, exploitation, neglect, or abandonment. Each has different indicators, making it important to keep vigilant in protecting our seniors.
An SNF provides high-level medical care and supervision for residents who require consistent care. This can be after a hospital visit, for chronic conditions, or severe dementia.
An elder law attorney can assist in developing strategies to protect assets while ensuring eligibility for Medicaid, which can be a primary source of nursing home funding.
These are legal documents that allow you to state your wishes for end-of-life medical care, and designate a trusted person to make healthcare decisions if you're unable to do so.
The earlier the better, but at least when you hit middle age. Long-term care insurance sells policies to individuals as young as 40. Elder law attorneys can also help you formulate your plan.
The California Department of Aging, the Bakersfield Adult Protective Services, and the Kern County Aging and Adult Services are resources to help the elderly with social services, adult protective services and additional aid. Non-profit organizations like the Alzheimer's Disease Association and the American Association of Retired Persons are also valuable resources.
If you believe you need legal assistance, the best first step is to find a reputable Elder Law attorney in Bakersfield. Do some research, consult online reviews, and check with the California State Bar to make sure the lawyer is in good standing. Then, call to set up an initial consultation to discuss your specific needs and how they might be able to assist.
