Hudson attorney Jennifer A. O’Neill offers comprehensive elder law services for clients in Wisconsin and Minnesota

Elder Law

Addressing the legal issues of aging

O’Neill Elder Law helps clients plan for the future and deal with issues senior citizens and their family members face today.

Many people are unfamiliar with elder law. Below, we answer some of the most common questions we hear from our clients. To learn more about how we can be of assistance or to schedule a consultation, please call us 715-808-0610.

What exactly is elder law?

Elder law encompasses all aspects of planning for aging, illness, and incapacity. Elder law attorneys must be particularly sensitive to the wide range of legal issues that affect elder clients, including:

  • Health and personal care planning: Including powers of attorney, living wills/health care directives, and family issues. We help you plan for a time when you may not be able to live independently or make health or financial decisions for yourself.
  • Financial issues: Including financial planning, asset protection, housing opportunities, and financing, and tax issues with income, estate, and gift taxes
  • Planning for a well spouse: What to do when one spouse lives independently and the other requires long term care
  • Accessing public benefits: Such as Medicaid and Veterans’ benefits
  • Capacity planning: Including guardianship, guardianship avoidance, and other necessary planning for a time when one’s capacity has diminished
  • Will and trust planning: Making arrangements for minor or adult special needs children, and probate administration

Who should contact an elder law attorney?

Our clients include individuals, couples, and families of all ages, including:

  • Adult children who bring in their parents
  • Parents who are excited to share this planning process with their kids
  • Adult children after a parent has died
  • Young families planning for the future

Typically, three things motivate people to contact our law firm:

  • A decline in health, the diagnosis of a serious health condition, or the death of a spouse
  • Concern that they have been putting this off for too long
  • A death in the family spurs them to think about their own needs for planning

What is a certified elder law attorney?

Our founder, Jennifer A. O’Neill is certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. This means that, prior to certification, she:

  • Completed post-law school education in elder law
  • Practiced elder law for more than five years
  • Passed a rigorous examination
  • Was favorably evaluated by five elder law attorney specialists

“Elder law issues are like a puzzle. We bring all the pieces together. The accountant may have a piece. The financial planner may have a piece. The neighbor may have some input. I bring all the pieces together to get the whole picture. That allows me to create an effective plan for each client.” — Elder Law Attorney Jennifer A. O’Neill

Why should I hire an elder law attorney?

Elder law attorneys have deep knowledge of the many issues affecting senior citizens. Other professionals may deal with the needs of the elderly as part of their business. At O’Neill Elder Law, we focus our practice exclusively on elder law and estate planning. We often work with other individuals and professionals — from financial planners, to social workers to neighbors — to achieve our clients’ goals.

When should I consult an elder law attorney?

The earlier you make plans, the more options you have available, however, it is never too late. You always have options. Even if your loved one is already in a nursing home, there are still ways an elder law attorney can help. We are here to empower personal choices. We will help you recognize and choose the options that are right for you and your family.

I am not a senior citizen, why would I need an elder law attorney?

Elder law is not only intended to serve those who are ready to enter their retirement years. Elder law is available to everyone to help plan for your elder years, however far off that time may be. Therefore, the earlier you plan, the more options you have at your disposal. Taking the time to work on a plan with one of our attorneys will ease the stress of decision-making and the burden on family members when there is time for thoughtful consideration of the available options.

To schedule a consultation with a certified elder law attorney, please call O’Neill Elder Law at 715-808-0610. From our office in Hudson, we represent elder law clients in Wisconsin and Minnesota.