Frank & Kraft provides elder law and estate planning help to clients throughout Carmel, Indiana and surrounding areas. Our firm works with you to create a comprehensive plan for your future. We help you to make effective use of legal tools to protect assets, prepare for end of life issues, and secure your legacy. The sooner you begin working with our legal team, the sooner you can put plans in place to protect yourself and to protect your loved ones, so give us a call today for help.
Life in Carmel, Indiana
Carmel, Indiana is a suburban city that has been selected by both CNN Money Magazine and Niche.com as one of the best places within the United States to live. Carmel is located within Hamilton County, Indiana and is the fifth largest city in Indiana. The city was quickly growing and the population was estimated to have reached more than 91,000 people in 2016, up from just 79,000 in 2010.
Carmel originally had the name Bethlehem, and the city dates all the way back to 1837 when the area was settled by Quakers. Carmel’s main street area received one of the nation’s first traffic lights in 1924. Today, Carmel’s Meridian Corridor is the heart of the business district and serves as the national headquarters for several large organizations.
Seniors in Carmel, Indiana
As of the most recent census, a total of 6.7 percent of households in Carmel were comprised of someone aged 65 or older who lived alone. It is very common for seniors to require more help and support to remain living independently and to remain active and connected members of their community.
Fortunately, there are many resources in Carmel, Indiana and throughout Hamilton County that seniors can take advantage of. Some of these resources include the following:
- PrimeLife Enrichment Inc: This organization is a nonprofit charity that provides programs and services for people aged 50 or older. The programs and services are, according to PrimeLife Enrichment Inc. designed to: “promote independence, optimal wellness and socialization for those 50 and beyond.” You can find information on the organization’s website about upcoming events, fitness classes, and more.
- Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County: The Hamilton County Council on Aging has extensive information available for residents of Carmel, Indiana and surrounding areas. Seniors and their families can find information on caregiver support; aging and disability; transportation services; meals and more. The Council on Aging also provides links to community groups and organizations and other support services aimed at enriching the quality of life of elderly Carmel residents.
While there are many free and low-cost community based services, it often becomes necessary for aging seniors to get more help and support than is available through these types of programs. For example, seniors may require long term care services to be provided by home health aides when seniors are no longer able to handle basic routine activities of daily living on their own. In some cases, seniors may also need to move into a nursing home care setting.
If you require more intensive care, you may need access to benefits to help you pay for that care. Frank & Kraft will help you to determine if you can qualify for Medicaid, if you have access to any programs because of any applicable military service in your past, or if there are other sources of support that can help you to cover necessary care costs.
Probate Courts in Carmel, Indiana
If someone passes away in Carmel, it is common for that person’s estate to be transferred through the probate process. The probate process can be a complicated process, and anyone who is serving as executor of an estate should be represented by an experienced attorney. Heirs or beneficiaries and those who wish to contest a will should also consider getting legal help understanding their rights and obligations.
Frank & Kraft provides help if you must go to probate court in any capacity. If you live in Carmel, Indiana, the probate court where proceedings will take place is the Hamilton County Court System. You can find out more information about this court using the following resources:
- The Hamilton County, Indiana court website: On the main website for the Hamilton County court system, you can find details about court locations, filing fees, local rules and more. There is also a legal self-help center where you can get some background on how the probate process works. You should not try to handle probate alone because the stakes are so high, but it is a good idea to learn some basic background before going through the process.
- Local probate rules for Hamilton County: This website provides comprehensive details about local probate rules applicable within the Hamilton County area. You can learn rules for real estate, accounting, the sale of assets, guardianships, wrongful death estates, and more.
Frank & Kraft can help you to understand the rules for probate, navigate the system, and take proactive steps to ensure you fulfill your role during the probate process while making sure the wishes of the deceased are honored.
Getting Help from Carmel, Indiana Elder Law Attorneys
Indiana elder law attorneys at Frank & Kraft can offer invaluable help with the issues that arise in your life as you begin to get older. You need to make sure that you have the right plans in place to protect your autonomy, your assets, and your loved ones. Our firm can help you to make use of trusts, a last will and testament, a power of attorney and other tools to put the right protections in place for your specific situation.
To find out more about how our firm can help you, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at (317) 684-1100 or contact us online today to talk with a compassionate and knowledgeable member of our legal team who can work with you to create your personalized plans. Give us a call today to get started.
