When should I consider establishing guardianship?

A guardianship may be considered when a person is deemed incapacitated, meaning they are unable to make informed decisions or manage their affairs. It is typically pursued when there is no power of attorney in place or when conflicts arise regarding decision-making. Establishing guardianship involves a legal process where a court appoints a guardian for the incapacitated person and should be the last resort after all other options have been explored.

Do I really need an elder law attorney?

If you're dealing with complex issues like incapacity, long-term care planning, retirement, estate planning, or elder abuse, an elder law attorney can be incredibly helpful. They're knowledgeable about all aspects of elder law and can guide you through the process.

What should I expect when working with an elder law attorney from Hammond Law Group?

You can expect to work with a trustworthy, compassionate, and knowledgeable attorney. We'll take the time to understand your unique situation and provide tailored advice and solutions.

What is the purpose of Medicaid planning?

Medicaid planning aims to protect seniors' assets while still qualifying for Medicaid benefits. By strategically structuring their assets and income, individuals can ensure they receive necessary long-term care without depleting their savings entirely.

Colorado Springs Elder Law Attorney // Hammond Law Group

Thanks to healthier lifestyles and enhanced medical technology, life expectancies in the U.S. are at an all-time high. But the longer you live, the more likely it becomes that you’ll experience physical or mental challenges and need support with managing your healthcare, money, or personal affairs, and require some form of long-term care.

Hammond Law Group not only guides families through the legal process of conservatorship and guardianship but also offers a full-time Elder Care Coordinator whose role is to support clients through the healthcare, financial, housing, and family challenges that can come with aging, including navigating the maze of long-term care and how to pay for the care that you deserve.

Whether in-home assistance or a long-term nursing home stay, it’s becoming inevitable that most of us will require such care at some point in our lives.

The problem is long-term care is growing more expensive every day. In fact, nearly two-thirds of families will run out of money within the first year or two of moving into a nursing home.

Unfortunately, most private health insurance plans and Medicare don’t cover long-term care costs—which can average $4,000 to $12,000+ per month in the U.S., depending on where you live and what level of care you require.

At Hammond Law Group, we can help you plan for the financial, medical, housing, family, and legal challenges of growing older. Our Colorado Spring elder law attorney can help you develop a comprehensive plan to ensure your wishes and preferences are honored in the future, along with protecting you and your assets if you become incapacitated.

There’s no need to bear the weight alone. Contact us today for a consultation.

What is an Elder Law Attorney?

Elder law attorneys specialize in legal issues affecting seniors and their families, providing guidance and advocacy to help them make informed decisions about their future. We offer support in areas like estate planning, long-term care, guardianship, and more. Some elder law attorneys also employ Elder Care Coordinators to ensure clients’ healthcare and other needs are met.

Elder law can be complicated. It’s not just about paperwork. It’s about understanding your rights, making sure your wishes are respected, and securing your future — or that of a loved one.

An experienced elder law attorney adds value by:

Simplifying complex legal jargon into understandable terms
Helping you plan for incapacity
Assisting with asset protection and financial planning
Guiding you through Medicaid or other benefit applications
Providing peace of mind knowing you and your loved ones are legally prepared and secure

At Hammond Law Group, we’re dedicated to helping you make informed decisions that best suit your needs – because everyone deserves dignity, respect, and reassurance when dealing with life’s inevitable challenges.

With our elder law attorneys by your side, you’ll have more than 30 years of legal experience at your disposal, helping you plan for the next chapter.

Comprehensive Elder Law Services in Colorado Springs

We understand just how personal and sensitive elder law matters can be. Our elder law attorneys are here to provide compassionate guidance and comprehensive solutions tailored to meet your needs.

With our services, we aim to empower you with the knowledge and legal tools to protect your assets, ensure your healthcare wishes are honored, and navigate the complexities of aging with confidence. Here’s how we help you.

Estate Planning

Estate planning organizes one’s assets and affairs to ensure they are properly managed and distributed upon death or incapacitation.

Our elder law attorneys can help you create a comprehensive estate plan encompassing various legal documents and strategies.

These can include:

Wills: Wills allow you to specify how your assets and property should be distributed after death.
Trusts: Like wills, trusts manage and dictate the distribution of assets; however, they offer added benefits like asset protection and probate avoidance.
Advance Healthcare Directives: Advance healthcare directives allow you to specify your medical treatment preferences and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions.
Powers of Attorney: Powers of attorney grant authority to a trusted individual to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of the principal. Our lawyers help clients designate powers of attorney, ensuring they select someone reliable and knowledgeable to act in their best interests.

Through personalized estate planning, our elder law attorneys enable seniors to have peace of mind, knowing that their assets will be managed and distributed according to their wishes and their loved ones will be provided for in the most efficient manner possible.

Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care planning involves preparing for the potential need for extended medical and custodial care as individuals age. It aims to address the financial, legal, and healthcare aspects of long-term care, helping seniors navigate the complexities of Medicaid, Medicare, and other healthcare programs.

Our elder law attorneys offer comprehensive long-term care planning services, which may involve:

Asset Protection

Seniors must meet certain asset and income thresholds to qualify for government benefits like Medicaid. Our attorneys employ legal strategies to protect assets while ensuring eligibility for these programs. This may involve the creation of specialized trusts or the conversion of countable assets into exempt ones.

Medicaid Planning

Medicaid is a government program that provides medical assistance to low-income individuals, including seniors requiring long-term care. Our lawyers assist clients in understanding Medicaid regulations, devising strategies to meet eligibility requirements, and navigating the application process effectively.

Nursing Home Contracts and Placement

When long-term care in a nursing home becomes necessary, our attorneys review nursing home contracts to protect the interests of the senior. They ensure the contract is fair, negotiate terms when possible, and provide guidance on selecting appropriate care facilities.

Guardianship

In certain situations, an elderly individual may become incapacitated and unable to make informed decisions regarding personal and financial matters. In such cases, guardianship may be necessary to protect the individual’s interests and well-being.

The court may appoint a legal guardian to make personal and healthcare decisions on behalf of an incapacitated individual. Our lawyers guide families through petitioning for guardianship, ensuring the best interests of the seniors are considered.

Elder Abuse Protection

Elder abuse is a distressing reality many seniors face, from physical abuse to financial exploitation. Our elder law attorneys are committed to protecting vulnerable seniors and addressing elder abuse through legal means.

Our lawyers provide legal support to victims of elder abuse, advocating for their rights and seeking justice on their behalf. We are dedicated to preventing and combatting elder abuse and providing seniors with legal assistance to ensure their safety, dignity, and overall well-being.

Why Our Clients Choose Us

At Hammond Law Group, we are committed to providing compassionate representation in all areas of elder law. We believe elder law is highly specialized, requiring full-time focus and attention. Therefore, we dedicate our practice exclusively to estate planning and related matters.

Unlike some other firms that juggle multiple practice areas, our sole focus is on providing top-notch elder law services. This gives us a distinct advantage in staying up-to-date with legal changes, like the most current strategies for asset protection and other essential aspects of the field.

You’ll find comfort in knowing that your legal matters are handled by professionals who genuinely care about your needs. Choosing Hammond Law Group means choosing peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones.

Don’t wait another day to take control of your family’s future. Contact us today for a consultation.

Start Planning Your Future

Experiences with Exceptional
Estate Planning in Colorado

“My father used Hammond Law Group to prepare a Living Trust. After he passed away, we were very impressed with how easily we were able to close out his estate. The process of preparing our living trust has been very straight-forward and Hammond Law Group thoroughly explained the process and the documents.”

Steven

“I have been a client for nearly 10 years. Thank you for helping put into place a new trust and helping my husband and I have a great sense of security that our wishes are laid out succinctly. Each of your staff members are personable, funny and very easy to work with.”

Michelle

“Living Trust – we are very thankful we have our pets cared for if we are no longer living. We first attended the workshop on estate planning which got us on the right track.”

Linda

“We’ve worked with Catherine’s firm for a few years and are consistently impressed with her professional estate planning expertise, and also with her caring attitude. We feel like we’re more than just business clients. We highly recommend her.”

Dan

Steven

Michelle

“Living Trust – we are very thankful we have our pets cared for if we are no longer living. We first attended the workshop on estate planning which got us on the right track.”