Providing Holistic Elder Law and Estate Planning Solutions to North Idaho
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Meet our team and see how we can help.
What is Elder Law?
Elder Law is an area of legal practice that places an emphasis on issues affecting the growing aging population. Rather than referring to the specific age of our clientele, it refers to the issues our firm is equipped to practice. This includes estate planning, wills, long-term care arrangements, trusts, etc. While many of our clients are elderly, we represent people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds who may face some of the same issues an elderly person may face, such as disability, payment of long-term care expenses, or the need for public benefits.
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and community property agreements.
Planning for the future can be daunting, but we’re here to help. At our first meeting, come prepared to discuss important decisions, such as:
Who should be in charge of your medical care and finances if you are unable to do so?
Who is your second choice in case your first choice is not able to assume responsibility?
When should this person assume responsibility (immediately or upon your disability)?
Do you have any special requests for your medical care?
How should your assets be distributed upon your passing?
Long-Term Care & Public Benefits
We can help you and your family plan for the future and navigate important resources that can help. At our initial meeting, be prepared to discuss the following information.
What medical problems do you need financial assistance for?
What is your monthly income?
What financial assets do you own?
Excluding holidays and special occasions (e.g. birthdays), have you made any gifts during the last five years? If so, to whom how much was gifted?
What insurance do you have?
Are you a veteran? If so, what benefits do you receive?
Do you have a will, trust, or power of attorney? If so, send a copy of it in advance of your appointment.
Payment of Assisted Living and Nursing Home Bills Through the Medicaid Program.
Guardianships & Conservatorships
Navigating caregiving decisions can be difficult and emotional at times. We’re prepared to walk you through times of challenging transitions. At our first meeting, we’ll discuss the following information:
Are you a family member or friend of an incapacitated person?
What is the nature of the disability of the incapacitated person?
Does the incapacitated person have estate planning documents prepared?
Who are the other family members of the incapacitated person?
What are the income and assets of the incapacitated person?
Probates and Trust Estates
When a person passes away, legal action may be necessary to help carry out their wishes. If a decedent did not have any estate planning documents, we will assist you in determining what actions, if any, are necessary to administer the property of the person who passed away. The probate process or an abbreviated form of probate may be necessary in some situations. Sometimes, no probate is needed.
At our initial meeting, be prepared to discuss the following:
Did the decedent have a will or trust?
What did the decedent own when he or she passed away?
Did the decedent own any assets with beneficiary designations, right of survivorship designations, or payable on death (POD or TOD) provisions?
Who are the other family members of the decedent?
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with any questions or to set up a consultation.
Email
shelly@cwelp.com
Phone
(208) 765-3595
Fax
(208) 765-0515
Physical Address
314 E. Garden Ave.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
Mailing Address
PO Box 1888
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816
Hours
Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to noon
1:30-4:30 p.m.
*We are closed on legal holidays.