Elder law fees are often a concern for families seeking care and advocacy for an aging loved one. When I meet with professional partners or speak with someone who expresses a need for elder care law services, people are often intrigued that Rothkoff Law Group offers a flat-rate fee structure, as it is common for a law firm to bill per hour rather than a flat-rate. So why does Rothkoff Law Group do this?
When a client or an involved family member or friend contacts Rothkoff Law Group, they are overwhelmed and confused about the uncertainties of what the future holds. Our elder care law firms consist of a team of attorneys, public benefits specialist, elder care coordinators, legal and support staff to give them the peace of mind that we will support their long-term legal, financial, and care needs. Regarding elder law fees, our flat-fee structure allows for clients to keep the office informed, talk through a question or concerns, and remain in frequent contact with the office about any care or financially related change, without them expecting a bill after doing so. Frequent communication about our client’s care needs and related costs is essential, as these items are what drive the attorney’s planning.
Just recently I supported a client who was the primary caregiver for his wife living with dementia. When they first met with our office, there were no estate planning documents or care in place. The couple lived together in their marital home and the caregiver spouse was overwhelmed caring for his wife while also managing the household items. He occasionally called upon a reliable neighbor that would keep the client living with dementia company so that he could run necessary errands. Because there were no estate planning documents in place, our legal team assisted the client in filing for guardianship so that the spouse could access funds to pay for his wife’s care. I then assisted him with identifying the right home health agency to provide his wife the supervision and care she needed, and just as importantly, the respite he did.
I received a call from him just last week, several months into retaining our office, to inform me that his wife was hospitalized; after thoughtful consideration, he acknowledged that he cannot provide his wife with the necessary care at home. He decided to transition his wife to a memory care community. When the hospital called to inform him that his wife would discharge home later that evening, I advocated for the client to remain in the hospital an additional day, while we facilitated a discharge to a safer environment. Together, we worked with a local memory care community to facilitate a direct transfer. Since the transition, both the community and her husband state acclimated so well into her new home. She is socializing more than she had at home and has access to necessary care and medical support. Following the transition and change in care costs, the attorney reviewed the couple’s long-term legal and financial plan to determine if any changes should be made.
The next day, he sent me a beautiful note to thank me for ‘saving the day.’ While I appreciate the sentiment, we did this together. Our flat-rate structure for elder law fees gives clients the peace of mind to call us in these times of need so we can best work together to support their loved one and advocate for the best care possible.