Elder Law Attorneys Serving Wichita, Kansas

Our firm has really moved away from Elder Law matters. We typically would NOT take cases involving elder abuse, elder exploitation, consevatorships, nursing home abuse, or government benefits/medicaid applications. I would rather see a focus be on Wills, Trusts, and Probate at this particular time instead of Elder Law. Elder law attorneys work as legal advocates for older persons and their families. A Wichita elder law attorney at Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. can explain and provide the options, solutions, and answers that you and your older family members may need.

Elder law is the field of law that addresses the needs of seniors, including healthcare planning, asset protection, public benefits, conservatorship, and estate planning. Proper planning can protect the property, assets, rights, and well-being of older individuals.

How Can Seniors Afford Rising Healthcare Costs?

You already know that long-term health care is exceedingly expensive. Nursing home costs in Kansas average between $7,750 and $8,200 per month for a semi-private room, or roughly $93,000 to $98,000 annually. Private rooms typically cost more than $9,000 per month.

To help your family with these costs, a Wichita elder law attorney at Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. can develop an asset protection strategy that reduces your out-of-pocket expenses by maximizing retirement savings and accessing public benefit programs.

Medicaid can help cover nursing home costs, and for some seniors, veterans’ pension benefits are available. An elder law attorney at Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. can help your family identify, qualify for, and acquire the benefits you need.

Do You Need Medicaid Planning?

If you are 50 or older, the cost of medical care is the leading threat to your long-term financial security. In the U.S., 70% of people age 65 or older will require long-term care, but without Medicaid eligibility, it may be unaffordable.

The goal of Medicaid planning is to obtain the benefits you need for the lowest possible cost. Unlike Medicare, where eligibility is automatic at age 65, Medicaid requires you to meet asset and income requirements. Meeting these requirements is called the “Medicaid spend down.”

An elder law attorney at Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. can help you determine what must be spent down and what can be protected. We’re familiar with the Medicaid rules and help our clients throughout the Wichita area qualify for Medicaid benefits.

The Kansas Medicaid Estate Recovery Program seeks to recover Medicaid benefits from the estates of deceased recipients. If you begin Medicaid planning early, Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. can work to shield your assets from the recovery program.

Let Us Prepare Your Incapacity Plan

Along with the cost of long-term care, older adults face the possibility of becoming mentally incapacitated by an illness or injury. Without an effective incapacity plan, a judge could assign someone you would not have chosen to make your financial and medical decisions.

Your incapacity plan should be prepared early, while there is no question about your mental fitness. It should include a durable power of attorney for healthcare, a financial power of attorney, your HIPAA authorization, and, for many families, a revocable living trust.

An elder care planning attorney at Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A., can help you prepare these key documents and ensure they meet the requirements of Kansas law.

Is Your Loved One a Nursing Home Resident?

The best nursing homes in Kansas prove that nursing home owners can profit without reducing the level of care, but some Kansas nursing homes reduce their staffing and resources to increase profits. When profits are a higher priority than residents, abuse and neglect can occur, including:

Dehydration, infections, or malnutrition
Emotional, verbal, or even physical abuse
Failure to monitor residents adequately
Medical negligence or malpractice
Unnecessary neglect, restraint, or isolation

Why Should Your Family Choose Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A.?

Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. provides trusted estate planning and long-term care planning services to older adults and their families throughout the greater Wichita area. We review your circumstances, address your concerns, and help you make preparations for long-term care.

The attorneys at Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. believe legal services should be accessible to every senior. We offer sound planning advice and effective legal assistance. We are dedicated to helping your family create the plans that meet your needs.

To learn more about elder law matters and our elder law services, or to schedule your first consultation, call Larson, Brown & Ebert, P.A. at 316-530-8621 If you need to begin planning for the future, call us today.