Elder Law

Sadly, elder abuse is a very real problem in the United States. Moreover, as the population of seniors continues to grow, so does the number of elder abuse cases. While physical abuse and neglect are the most well-known types of elder abuse, financial exploitation is actually the most common. In the State of Indiana, residents will be happy to learn that the Secretary of State has formed the Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation, a group that is tasked with protecting seniors against those … [Read more...] about Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation Works to Protect Older Hoosiers

As the elderly population in the United States continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, the need for caregivers for the elderly has also experienced a corresponding increase. Oftentimes, family members or close friends offer to provide care to an elderly individual without expecting payment for that care. If you are one of those caregivers, it is important that you acknowledge the impact your selfless caregiving will have on you and your family. Remember that if you completely ignore your own … [Read more...] about Tips for Caregivers

Although you may be unfamiliar with the name “Sumner Redstone,” you are probably not unfamiliar with what he has accomplished over the course of his lifetime. He remains the majority owner of CBS Corp. and Viacom Corp. along with his daughter Shari Redstone and was executive chairman of both companies before stepping down in 2016 at age 92. Forbes magazine has estimated his worth at $4.5 billion.  Just recently, Redstone’s attorneys conceded that he had become incapacitated, and he was … [Read more...] about CBS Tycoon Settles Elder Abuse Lawsuit

Just as you would undoubtedly not consult with a pediatrician if you needed surgery to remove a brain tumor, you should not consult with a criminal defense attorney if you need your Last Will and Testament updated. Knowing which type of attorney you need, however, can be confusing given that the average person only interacts with an attorney a few times in their entire lifetime. In fact, it can be very difficult to know when the need for an elder law attorney arises given the fact that elder law … [Read more...] about What Is Elder Law?

If you have an elderly loved one, you undoubtedly worry about his/her physical and cognitive health, but has it ever occurred to you to worry about the risk of suicide? Probably not. Senior suicide is actually much more common that most people realize. In 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, there were 5,404 suicides in the United States among those aged 65 and older, according to the American Association of Suicidology. That figure translates into nearly 15 elder … [Read more...] about Is an Older Loved One at Risk for Suicide?

As the Baby Boomer generation moves into their retirement years, the number of older Americans continues to increase at a historic rate. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau expects the population aged 65 and older to nearly double from 43.1 million in 2012 to 83.7 million in 2050. For the first time in history, the number of older adults (age 65 and older) is expected to outnumber their younger counterparts (age 21 and younger) that same year. With the increase in seniors, we are also experiencing a … [Read more...] about Indiana Ranks in the Middle for Elder Abuse Protection

Contrary to what many people believe, disability is not a concern that is limited to the elderly. The reality is that you could suffer a temporary, or permanent, disability at any time during the course of your lifetime – though the odds do increase with age. Fortunately, the United States government has programs that offer financial assistance to individuals who are disabled. Both the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provide monetary … [Read more...] about SSI vs. SSDI – Do You Qualify for Either?

The world lost a legend of the comic world when Stan Lee passed away on November 12th at the age of 95. Prior to his death, Lee made headlines repeatedly as those close to him jockeyed for control of his fortune. Despite ailing health, Lee fought back with allegations of elder abuse. The litigation that was ongoing at the time of his death does not simply disappear with his death, meaning it will plague the probate of his estate. While most of us will not have the type of fame and fortune Lee … [Read more...] about What Stan Lee’s Death Should Teach Us

Making the decision to move an older loved one to a nursing home is rarely a decision that is easily made. In reality, however, it is often a necessary decision because failing to do so could put a loved one at risk for serious injury or victimization by those who prey on vulnerable seniors. Once the decision has been made, the next step is to find the best nursing home for your loved one, a task that may seem daunting. To assist you with your search, the Indianapolis nursing home lawyers at … [Read more...] about 10 Tips to Help You Choose the Right Nursing Home

Over the past several decades, the older population in the United States has grown at a historic rate. In fact, experts predict that by the year 2050, the older population (age 65 and older) in the U.S. will outnumber their younger counterparts (age 21 and younger) for the first time in history. Seniors encounter many of the same legal issues as their younger counterparts; however, they also face some unique legal problems. The legal needs of older Americans created a corresponding need for … [Read more...] about What Can an Elder Law Attorney Do for You?