Elder Law

The Law Office of Richard K. Abraham is an independent firm with over 25 years of experience in Elder Law and a commitment to creating the best outcome for our clients in any situation.

Some of the services we provide include:

• Preparation of estate planning documents such as powers of attorney, Advanced Health Care Directives, wills, trusts, and deeds.
• Assessment of a family’s financial situation, consolidation of assets, income-producing annuities, liquidation of certain investments, changing ownership or titling of investments, insurance products, or other property.
• Compiling required documentation to present for a Medicaid or other government assistance program, auditing financial records to ensure eligibility for such programs, and counseling on how to maintain proper records and properly spending down with an asset preservation plan.
• Enhancement of financial resources through actions such as a reverse mortgage or an equity loan, where appropriate.
• Negotiations with a nursing home regarding billing or back payments owed, the processing of required medical reports and forms, securing admission to a nursing home or transfer from one facility to another, and insuring that the facility is paid and the client received the requisite care.
• Longstanding relationships with professionals in other ancillary fields such as financial advisors, accountants, real estate agents, other attorneys, and insurance agents – all of whom specialize in working with the elderly or disabled.

Do Elder Law attorneys only assist the elderly?

No. Disability and death are age nondiscriminatory. These events can impact anyone regardless of their age. However, more elderly individuals become disabled than any other segment of society. Mr. Abraham’s clients range in age from their 20s to well into their 90s.

As a society, do we preplan?

No! Nationally only about 50% of all adults preplan for disability or death by signing a Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, and Last Will & Testament.

What happens in Maryland if the individual fails to preplan and dies or becomes disabled?

If the individual dies without a Will, their financial affairs may be subject to the laws of intestacy. Should that occur, Maryland’s laws and the cases interpreting them make all of the decisions such as who inherits, what they inherit, who serves as the Personal Representative (executor), etc.

Dying intestate can result in outcomes that do not match a person’s wishes. An example could be their spouse not inheriting all probate assets.

Individuals who fail to preplan and become disabled may also face a formal, involuntary court proceeding called a guardianship.

What is a Guardian of Person or Property?

Guardians of the Person and Property are appointed by the Circuit Court to assist someone who could not otherwise manage their medical care or financial interests.

A Guardian of Property is responsible for managing the disabled’s property and affairs. This can include collecting income, paying bills, applying for benefits, etc.

A Guardian of Person is responsible for managing the disabled’s person’s medical care. This can include determining where they live, receive care and medicine, and whether treatment they are receiving is to be continued or is withheld, etc.

Both Guardians MUST file annual reports with the Court detailing the care their ward received and any changes in their finances. When the disabled person dies or recovers from the disability a Petition to Terminate must be filed.

What is Medical Assistance (“Medicaid”)?

Medicaid is a program which partially offsets the cost of long term care in a nursing home for those individuals who can no longer afford the cost of their care and who qualify for these benefits.

As opposed to Medicare which is a Federal social medical insurance program, Medicaid is a needs-based, means-tested social welfare program which is funded federally with contribution also coming from state and local governments.

Who should develop a plan to preserve assets in a Medicaid setting?

Due to the strict and strictly enforced eligibility requirements, these plans must be carefully developed and implemented. As a result, an experienced Elder Law attorney should always be consulted.