Best Elder Law lawyers in North Reading, MA

2 Elder Law Lawyers in North Reading, MA

experienced lawyers

Roberta A Schreiber

348 Park Street, Suite 108, North Reading, MA

Elder Law Estate Planning Family Law +2 +5

5.0/5

5.0

3 Reviews

13 Feb, 2014 by Doris

I had never hired a lawyer before, so I asked some friends about their lawyers. Two of them said that I should see Roberta, who lives in my town. I was nervous when I called, but her secretary, Jeanne, was very friendly. Jeanne asked me some questions, to make sure that Roberta could handle my case, and set up an appointment. She told me the first consultation was free. When I walked in, there was the cutest dog I have ever seen (he is Roberta's dog). His name is Sam. Jeanne asked me if I was ok with dogs. I was (I have three dogs), so I played with him until Roberta met with me. Roberta was very friendly and asked a lot of questions about me, my health, my children, and why I was meeting with her. It was very easy to talk to her. I told her I needed a Will. She explained that I should also have a Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. She asked me if I was concerned about protecting my house and savings if I had to go into a nursing home. I was glad she asked. I was worried about it, but didn't know how to ask about what I could do. I didn't want the State to take my housel. She told me about MassHealth, a program that pays for the nursing home. She asked if my husband (he died three years ago) was a veteran. When I said that he served in World War II, she said that I could apply for Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits if I needed money to pay home health aides to help me stay in my home. She also said that I should contact the local Elder Services Agency if I need help to stay in my home. She also explained that if I did no planning, all of my savings and my house could be lost if I had to go into a nursing home. She told me about deeding my house to my children with a life estate for me and setting up a trust that could not be changed. It was a lot of information. Roberta could tell I was confused, so she suggested that we have a second meeting, with my children there. She said that my children would be involved in my estate planning, and they should understand the ways I could protect my house and savings. We had a second meeting with my children at the meeting. After the meeting, we decided that the Trust (an irrevocable trust) was the best way to protect my home and savings. Roberta sent documents to me and my children with a letter explaining everything. I went over the documents with my children. I didn't understand some of the legal language, but my children did, so I felt good about signing the documents. We had a third meeting. Roberta explained everything again before we signed, to make sure that we understood and then we signed the documents. I am so glad I called her. I didn't think that an attorney would be that friendly. She did her best to make sure that I (and my children) understood the documents that we were signing. I admit I don't understand everything, but my children do. And I trust Roberta. I feel like that I did the right things to protect my home and my savings. Roberta is very smart and knows a lot about programs for older clients. My children also like her. My son is going to do his estate plan with her. I like everything about going to her office. There are bowls of candy and I really like her dog, Sam.

16 Nov, 2011 by Jeanne

I called Attorney Schreiber because my mother has alheimers. She was living with me and my family, and we were all stressed out. I have a part time job, a husband and three children. Someone had to watch my mother all of the time. We had to figure out how to keep her from wandering away from the house or turning on the stove and leaving an empty pot on it. I was exhausted by the time I met with Roberta. The first thing that she did was help us get a Personal Care Attendant through MassHealth, at a very low cost to us. That really helped. When my mother got worse, Roberta helped us find a good nurinsg home nearby and she applied for MassHealth to pay for my mother's care. Roberta made things so much easier for me. She did all of the paperwork to get my mother benefits. She is a very caring person. She understood what I was going through (she told me that her father had been in a nursing home before he died). She always returned my calls. I am so grateful that I found her.

11 Nov, 2011 by Jeff

I consulted Attorney Schreiber because I was appointed as Executor of my mother's estate. The first attorney that I hired was not responsive and did not tell me what to do after I was appointed. My sisters were asking what was happening, and I was not able to tell them. A friend told me about Attorney Schreiber and I made an appointment to meet with her. She and her assistant were friendly, and I liked them right away. I was offered cofffe, tea, or water and there was a plate of cookies. Attorney Schreiber was right on time. From the first meeting, she told me exactly what to do. She also gave me a checklist to consult after I left the office. She helped me find a good real estate broker and my mother's house was sold three months later. She told me how to close out my mother's bank accounts and she filled out the paperwork to sell the stock. She wrote to my sisters to tell them what was going on. She worked with my mother's accountant to make sure that the correct tax returns were filed. Everything was settled about eight months after I met with her. My sisters and I got our distributions and the estate was done. My sisters and I are very happy with Attorney Schreiber. She even returned telephone calls on the same day.

David John Hoey

352 Park Street, North Reading, MA

Elder Law Medical Malpractice Personal Injury +3

5.0/5

5.0

1 Reviews

14 May, 2010 by Florence

Attorney David Hoey help me and our family through a very difficult time, as my mother was poorly cared for and mistreated at her nursing home, a place we had trusted. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work he did. I can now put my mother peacefully to rest. Attorney Hoey is a wonderful person and should be proud of the profession he is in. I would recommend Attorney Hoey to anyone in need of a nursing home attorney.

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What an Elder Law Lawyer Can Do for You

An elder law lawyer specializes in legal issues that affect older adults, their families, and caregivers. These lawyers handle a broad range of topics, including estate planning, Medicaid and Medicare, long-term care planning, guardianship, elder abuse, and retirement planning. The goal of an elder law lawyer is to protect the rights, finances, and well-being of elderly individuals and to help them plan for future healthcare and financial security.

If you or a loved one is aging and facing challenges related to healthcare, finances, or legal matters, an elder law lawyer can provide essential guidance to protect your rights and interests as you age.

When Should I Hire an Elder Law Lawyer?

Hiring an elder law lawyer can be beneficial in many situations where older adults need help with legal, financial, or healthcare-related decisions. Common reasons to hire an elder law lawyer include:

Estate planning: If you want to create or update a will, set up trusts, or ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, an elder law lawyer can help with comprehensive estate planning.
Medicaid and Medicare planning: If you need help qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care or need advice on navigating Medicare benefits, a lawyer can guide you through the application process and protect your assets.
Long-term care planning: If you’re concerned about paying for nursing home care or assisted living, a lawyer can help you create a financial plan and explore options for government assistance.
Guardianship or conservatorship: If a family member is unable to make decisions due to age-related cognitive issues, an elder law lawyer can assist in setting up legal guardianship or conservatorship to ensure their care.
Elder abuse and exploitation: If you or a loved one is experiencing physical, emotional, or financial abuse, an elder law lawyer can help you take legal action to stop the abuse and recover damages.
Retirement planning: Elder law lawyers can assist with planning for retirement, including managing pensions, Social Security, and other retirement income.
Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member who requires special care, an elder law lawyer can help create trusts or other legal arrangements to ensure their long-term financial and healthcare needs are met.

What Does an Elder Law Lawyer Do?

An elder law lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help older adults and their families navigate the complexities of aging, healthcare, and estate planning. Their responsibilities often include:

Drafting wills and trusts: Creating legal documents that outline how an individual’s assets will be distributed after death, ensuring that their wishes are honored.
Medicaid and Medicare planning: Helping clients protect their assets while qualifying for government benefits to cover healthcare and long-term care costs.
Establishing guardianships: Assisting families in setting up guardianship or conservatorship for loved ones who are unable to make decisions due to mental or physical incapacity.
Protecting against elder abuse: Investigating claims of elder abuse or financial exploitation and representing the victim in legal actions to stop the abuse and seek compensation.
Planning for long-term care: Developing strategies to cover the costs of nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care options without exhausting the elder’s financial resources.
Managing probate and estate administration: Guiding families through the probate process to ensure that the decedent’s assets are distributed according to the law and their wishes.
Setting up advance directives: Helping clients establish healthcare directives and powers of attorney to ensure their medical and financial decisions are carried out if they become incapacitated.

How Are Elder Law Lawyers Paid?

Elder law lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:

Hourly rate: Many elder law lawyers charge by the hour, especially for tasks such as drafting documents, handling legal disputes, or providing ongoing legal advice. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as drafting a will or setting up a trust, some lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the estate plan.
Retainer: For long-term legal representation, such as managing a trust or handling guardianship matters, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal work.
Contingency fee: In some elder abuse or financial exploitation cases, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for the client. This fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or damages awarded.

Be sure to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how you will be billed and what the total cost of services might be.

How Much Does an Elder Law Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring an elder law lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:

Simple estate planning: Drafting basic documents, such as a will or power of attorney, may cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the complexity of the client’s assets and wishes.
Complex estate planning: Setting up more advanced estate plans, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, Medicaid planning, or special needs trusts, can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.
Guardianship or conservatorship: Legal fees for setting up guardianship or conservatorship often range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case and whether disputes arise.
Medicaid planning: Legal fees for Medicaid planning can range from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the level of asset protection needed and the complexity of the individual’s financial situation.

Always ask for an estimate of fees during your initial consultation to ensure you understand how much the legal services will cost.

How to Check the Credibility of an Elder Law Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable elder law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:

Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
Look for elder law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in elder law and have experience with cases similar to yours.
Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on elder law issues.
Check for certifications: Look for certifications or affiliations with organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), which can indicate the lawyer’s dedication to elder law.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with an elder law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

Existing estate planning documents: If you have a will, trust, or power of attorney in place, bring copies for the lawyer to review.
Financial records: Provide details of your assets, including bank accounts, investments, real estate, and retirement accounts, as well as any debts.
Medical information: If the case involves guardianship or Medicaid planning, bring relevant medical records that detail the individual's health condition and care needs.
Insurance policies: Bring information about health insurance, long-term care insurance, and any other relevant policies.
Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about your legal needs, the process, and the lawyer’s fees.
List of family members or beneficiaries: Prepare a list of the individuals you want to include in your estate plan or who will be affected by the legal process.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and receive the best legal advice tailored to your needs.