Finding an Elder Law Attorney in Bucks County: What Families Should Know
Families usually don't wake up one morning planning to call an elder law attorney in Bucks County. More often, the need develops gradually.
A Social Worker’s Perspective on How To Make Elder Care Decisions
Making elder care decisions is one of the most emotionally complex challenges families face. From safety concerns to questions about independence and hospice care, there is rarely a perfect answer.
What Is The Difference Between Elder Law and Regular Law?
Navigating the legal landscape can be confusing and requires specialized knowledge and experience. One area that may raise questions is the difference between elder law and regular law. Understanding this distinction is crucial, especially when protecting the interests of our community's seniors. Let’s visit the difference between elder and regular law in this blog, helping you recognize when it might be advantageous to consult an elder law attorney rather than a regular, non-specialized attorney.
Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled 7-2 to protect the right of Medicaid nursing home residents to seek relief in federal court when state officials do not meet a certain quality of care—a ruling being hailed as a civil rights victory for Medicaid patients. In Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski, state officials challenged the right of a Medicaid beneficiary to bring suit in federal court in a case involving the alleged violation of Gorgi Talevski's federal rights under Medicaid's Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (FNHRA). By a 7-2 margin, in a remarkable opinion for the [...]
Do You Believe These 5 Elder Care Law Myths?
Elder care law is a complex area of law that deals with legal issues affecting seniors. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions that can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Here are five common elder care law myths debunked. Elder care law only covers issues related to retirement: Rothkoff Law Group provides counsel for a range of legal issues: care coordination, healthcare advocacy, wills and trusts, Medicaid and asset protection planning, family counseling, long-term care, and the list goes on. Our team of care advocates and elder law attorneys also help with end-of-life planning, estate planning, and other legal matters [...]
Gallardo v. Marstiller: Supreme Court Decision’s Impact on Personal Injury Settlement
The Supreme Court recently ruled 7-2 in Gallardo v. Marstiller, Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care, that the federal Medicaid Act does not preempt Florida's policies dictating how the state can obtain Medicaid reimbursements from third parties and that Florida was, therefore, able to seek reimbursement from personal injury settlement payments. Background in the Gallardo v. Marstiller case, according to the syllabus: "Petitioner Gianinna Gallardo suffered catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disability when a truck struck her as she stepped off her Florida school bus. Florida’s Medicaid agency paid $862,688.77 to cover Gallardo’s initial medical expenses, and the [...]
Elder Law Fees and Investing in Peace of Mind
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 [...]
Senior Resources: Social Work, Care Coordination, and Elder Law
For families with aging loved ones, having the right mix of senior resources can make life care planning easier and more effective. Many people often question the role of a care coordinator in an elder law firm, but in our practice, including social work in long-term legal and elder care planning makes perfect sense. After all, Rothkoff Law Group is an elder care law firm. How many times have your peers encouraged you to see an elder law attorney for your loved one? Many of your peers may have found themselves in times of crisis in which they not only felt [...]
Thank you, Marie: An Anecdote from an Elder Care Lawyer
As an elder care lawyer, I have had the privilege of meeting and assisting countless families and seniors over the years. And over those years, some stand out in the mind…like Marie. In February 2017, Marie left her home and transitioned to a personal care home. Her husband was in poor health and in a nursing home. She had no children and needed an elder care lawyer to help her navigate these changes. Given her situation, Marie’s close friend scheduled a meeting with myself, Kathleen Magee, our Director of Care Coordination, and Marie to discuss how our team of elder [...]
Addressing the Needs of an Elderly Parent and Her Special Needs Adult Child
Mary’s mother and sister needed help. Lots of it. The sister, Violet, is developmentally disabled and needs 24-hour care. Janice, their mother, was Violet’s sole caregiver for over 50 years. Mary knew that Janice was becoming increasingly confused, but it seemed like she was still taking great care of Violet. Then, Janice and Violet went for a long walk that ended with them wandering into a local nursing home and Janice asking if they could move in. Alarmed, a manager at the facility called for help. Janice was admitted to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, and Janice was placed [...]