14 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite 254
Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927

Elder Law From an Estate Planning Perspective

E.A. Goodman Law, LLC is a boutique elder law and estate planning practice serving clients throughout New Jersey. While these are two distinct practice areas, elder law and estate planning actually go hand-in-hand. Of course, no two estate plans are alike, and elders have unique needs and objectives, such as long-term care planning and asset protection.

Our legal team provides advice and guidance to elders, single seniors and clients who are seeking to plan for their golden years. We truly understand the financial and medical challenges that face all of us as we age, and we are dedicated to ensuring all your needs are met. When you consult with us, you will have peace of mind knowing that you are well-prepared for the expected and the unexpected. Please contact our office today to speak with our compassionate elder law attorneys. 

How Is Elder Law Different From Estate Planning?

Estate planning is primarily focused on helping clients pass their estates to their intended beneficiaries, protect their assets, and minimize taxes at death. Estate planning often overlaps with retirement planning and may also involve helping clients plan for disability. 

While elder law deals with similar issues, our health and legal needs change as we age. 

At E.A. Goodman Law, LLC, our elder law practice is geared towards helping our clients plan for long-term care and paying for it without depleting their savings. We also frequently work with elders on Medicare and Medicaid planning and help them take advantage of the different benefit programs available to seniors.

The Benefits of Estate Planning

Estate planning is about more than preparing for death; rather it’s a matter of planning for the future. Our experienced trusts and estates attorneys work with individuals, couples, and families to establish foundational estate planning documents such as:

  • Last Will and Testament (will)
  • Durable Power of Attorney
  • Advance Medical Directive (healthcare proxy)
  • Revocable Trust
  • Irrevocable Trust (e.g. special needs trust/Medicaid trust)
  • Living Will

At E.A. Goodman Law, LLC, we customize estate plans to each client’s unique circumstances and needs. While no two estates are identical, at a minimum every plan should include a will, a power of attorney, and a healthcare proxy. 

Regardless of your financial or family status, we can help you decide where your assets will go, declare who will care for your children, plan for the possibility of incapacity, ensure the continuity of your business or professional practice, and, above all, help you achieve your objectives. Without an estate plan, the New Jersey courts will make these decisions, which may not agree with your wishes and preferences. The best way to protect yourself, your assets and your loved ones is to work with the experienced estate planning attorneys at E.A. Goodman Law, LLC.

What Exactly Is Elder Law?

While estate planning establishes a clients’ wishes concerning their assets and loved ones after they pass away, elder law focuses on the unique needs of seniors. In particular, this often involves obtaining medical and nursing home care while preserving their assets.

At E.A. Goodman Law, we know that long-term care planning can be complicated and confusing. Enrolling in the Medicare program or qualifying for Medicaid requires the advice and guidance we provide. Many seniors are surprised to learn that Medicare may not cover all their healthcare needs, which makes obtaining supplemental health coverage critically important. Similarly, understanding the prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D, and the so-called “donut hole” or coverage gap, can be daunting.

While Medicaid is the single largest payer of nursing home services in the country, elders who have assets in their name may not be eligible for this joint federal-state program. Our elder law attorneys can advise you on how to qualify for these medical benefits while devising a plan to protect and preserve your assets. 

At E.A. Goodman Law, we also work with elders to proactively plan for incapacity by putting in place powers of attorney and advance medical directives. A durable power of attorney allows you to name a trusted person to handle your personal and financial affairs (e.g. paying bills, maintaining property, managing bank accounts and investments) should you become injured or ill and unable to communicate these decisions. 

A healthcare proxy is another vital legal document in which you designate someone to coordinate your preferred medical care with your doctor if you become incapacitated. A Living Will is another type of advance medical directive that declares the type of end-of-life treatment you wish to receive or have withheld (e.g. a ventilator, feeding tube). While thinking about being incapacitated is frightening, declining health is an unfortunate reality for many elders.

When you work with our experienced elder law attorneys, we will provide you with informed representation and caring, personal service so that you can make the best choices about your future and your well-being. Our legal team also works with elders and their loved ones to tackle other difficult challenges of aging, such as senior rights, age discrimination, elder abuse and other issues facing the senior community. Above all, our elder law attorneys will work closely with you to make sure your rights are protected.

Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys

Whether you need a roadmap for your financial future or assistance navigating the challenges of aging, turn to E.A. Goodman Law, LLC. When you become our client, you can rest assured that we will always put your best interests first. Please reach out to our office today to schedule a consultation.