Allegheny County Elder Law Attorneys Offer Comprehensive Counsel

Allison Park firm assists with various concerns affecting seniors

Abernethy & Hagerman, LLC helps Western Pennsylvania clients deal with many of the legal challenges associated with growing older in America. Located in Allison Park, we are accomplished elder law attorneys who provide valuable counsel related to will drafting, medical directives, Medicaid planning, nursing home issues and other matters. No matter what type of legal support you seek, you can trust us to deliver knowledgeable, compassionate guidance.

Medical directives and living wills

Our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience helping residents of Allegheny, Butler Washington and Westmoreland counties construct solid estate plans that address critical concerns such as:   

• Asset transfers — After reviewing your circumstances and objectives, we will develop a comprehensive estate planning program so that you can transfer your assets efficiently upon your death. In addition to drafting a last will and testament, our attorneys can also create trusts and advise on arrangements that remove particular assets from the probate process.
• Medical directives — If you’re suddenly incapacitated due to injury or illness, your doctors might not know who is in charge or how you’d feel about particular treatment options. By creating an advance medical directive, you can state your preferences and designate a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf.
• Living wills — Unlike medical directives, which cover a variety of situations, living wills address the extraordinary measures that can be taken in terminal cases. Our firm works with clients to provide clear guidance on the potential life-prolonging treatments they want and do not want.

Even if you have the main elements of an estate plan in place, you might not have reviewed the specific details for several years. Taking some time to see if the documents still reflect your circumstances and intentions is a good idea. You can count on us for knowledgeable guidance if you are considering an update to a will, trust or medical directive.

Passionate attorneys guide Pittsburgh-area individuals seeking Medicare and Medicaid coverage

Though often confused, Medicare and Medicaid have different purposes and eligibility requirements. Medicare is a program that provides healthcare coverage for Americans 65 and older, while Medicaid is meant for people of all ages who lack the financial ability to pay for their medical needs. However, obtaining Medicaid benefits frequently becomes critically important for elderly individuals regardless of their standard of living due to the incredibly high cost of nursing home care. Often, privately paying for nursing home care can range from $8,000 - $10,000 per month. To alleviate this burden, we are committed to helping families achieve Medicaid benefit eligibility for their loved one in the quickest amount of time while preserving the most wealth for the family.

The first step in the process of achieving Medicaid eligibility is determining the value of the non-exempt resources that the individual or the couple own. Our Medicaid planning attorneys can help you complete the Resource Assessment Form (PA-1572) and file it with the County Assistance Office. Once the exact amount of resources that the client may keep is determined, we create plan to spend down those resources appropriately in order to qualify for Medicaid coverage. Finally, we complete the Medicaid Application for Benefits (PA-600) and assemble the relevant documentation to verify compliance with the Medicaid laws and regulations.

Firm helps people make plans for nursing home and assisted living care

By the time it is apparent that someone should be in a nursing home or other type of assisted living facility, it might be too late to find the best solution. Ideally, you should evaluate different facilities long before the need arises, while carefully planning the financial and contractual arrangements you will need to make a smooth transition. Whatever stage you’re at, our firm can assist with these plans and develop a framework that protects your interests. If you or someone close to you is in a nursing home, we can take prompt action if their rights are being violated.  

Nursing home negligence and elder abuse

Elderly men and women in nursing homes and other types of residential facilities are extremely vulnerable. Nursing home negligence can result in bedsores, broken bones, dehydration, malnutrition and even death. Even if the cause of the harm seems obvious, getting to the truth of what happened can be a serious challenge. As elder law attorneys familiar with the operations and finances of nursing homes, we understand how to interpret evidence and determine if a resident was harmed by neglect, physical abuse or financial misconduct.   

Contact an accomplished Pennsylvania elder law attorney   

Abernethy & Hagerman, LLC handles a wide array of elder law matters for Western Pennsylvania residents and their families. To make an appointment to discuss your situation and goals, please call 412-486-6624 or contact us online. Our office is in Allison Park.