Empowering you with information.
Advising you with compassion.
how we help
Focusing on needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.
Practice Areas
click topic to learn more, or reach out today for personal help
Estate planning
Elder Law
Medical Assistance Planning (medicaid)
SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS
PROBATE
TRUST ADMINISTRATION
GUARDIANSHIP (of adults)
VETERANS BENEFITS ASSISTANCE
MARITAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS
divorce
CHILD CUSTODY, PLACEMENT AND MINOR GUARDIANSHIPS
We assist anyone over the age of 18 in creating or revising an estate plan, which can include a will, trust, powers of attorney, and/or burial directives. We meet with clients to learn their goals for their estate plan, review the probate process (and how to avoid probate), review how wills and trusts work, and ultimately, draft documents that reflect our clients’ estate planning objectives.
Contact us to learn more about estate planning and how to create or update your own estate plan.
As Elder Law attorneys, we focus on the changing needs of individuals and couples as they age.
We work with clients to address general estate planning issues while planning for possible incapacity. We help our clients plan for long-term care needs, including nursing home care and Medicaid eligibility.
Locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating available resources to finance the cost of care, and working to ensure the client’s right to quality care are all part of our practice.
Eligibility requirements for Medical Assistance (aka Title 19, or Medicaid) have been substantially refined over the last several years. There are stringent income and asset restrictions in place, and navigating the legal aspects of Medicaid planning can be challenging. We are familiar with the intricacies and nuances unique to Medicaid eligibility, and in planning and applying for Medicaid.
Contact us to learn more about how Medicaid works, to develop a Medicaid plan, or to apply for Medicaid now.
We understand the legal requirements and advantages to properly establishing a special needs trust and take a compassionate yet practical approach in any special needs planning. We can assist you in setting up a stand-alone special needs trust or a community pooled special needs trust (in Wisconsin these are managed by Wispact or Life Navigators) now in order to preserve your own benefits. We can also set up these trusts as part of an estate plan to preserve benefits for another family member. Establishing a special needs trust is an essential proactive measure to ensure loved ones and dependents with special needs continue to have access to the resources and care they require.
Contact us to learn more about special needs trusts and whether you need to create one to preserve your public benefits or those of someone you love.
Probate is the legal process to transfer assets from a deceased person (decedent) to persons named in the decedent’s Will (or according to Wisconsin statutes if the decedent did not make a Will). The Personal Representative (executor) named in the Will or another interested person can hire an attorney to assist with the court process. The court papers are typically filed in the county in Wisconsin where the person resided. There are a number of required forms, notices, waivers, and claims deadlines to follow as part of the process.
Contact us if you would like help, as the Personal Representative, from beginning to end of the process to ensure that you are meeting all legal requirements and communicating with the court and persons named in the Will.
Trust administration refers to the process of managing and distributing assets held in trust. A trust is created by a settlor, whose assets are managed by a trustee, for the benefit of a beneficiary or beneficiaries.
We assist individuals throughout the process to ensure assets are properly managed, administered, and distributed in accordance with the trust instrument and in compliance with applicable laws.
Guardianship is the relationship established when the court determines that an individual (or ward) is incapable of making decisions regarding their affairs. That decision making power is entrusted, through a legal order, to another individual, deemed the “guardian.” The guardian then has the legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on behalf of the ward.
The most common scenario is a child or other relative becoming guardian of an elderly loved one who no longer has the capacity to make decisions for themselves. We understand the sensitive, emotional components that are involved when making decisions of this caliber. Providing for the care and well-being of an ailing or disabled loved one brings with it a substantial amount of stress and pressure without compounding the challenges by having to manage complicated financial issues as well.
Contact us to learn more about guardianship, how it works, and whether you need to pursue this legal process.
Navigating the complex world of Veterans Benefits can be overwhelming, and we aim to streamline and simplify the process. We work with Veterans to evaluate and establish eligibility for non-service-related disability compensation. We assist with applying for eligibility and disputing eligibility issues for Aid and attendance and home-bound benefits.
Contact us for help to access the veterans benefits you are entitled to.
Marital Property Agreements, also known as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, are estate planning tools created prior to or during a marriage to protect assets of the couple, as well as their financial futures of their families.
Our firm is experienced in drafting these types of agreements and can design them to them to meet our client’s specific needs.
Our firm knows the financial and emotional impact of a divorce can be devastating for our clients. However, obtaining a divorce in Wisconsin can be made easier if both spouses are able to agree on all aspects of the divorce. An uncontested divorce is typically more efficient and less expensive than a contested divorce proceeding.
We are able to work with our clients to help them navigate the process, including assisting them to resolve disputes that may arise, whether that be regarding property division or other obligations. Our firm provides experienced and sensitive service throughout our representation.
Our firm is aware that our clients care about their children’s best interest in the event of a divorce or other action affecting them.
We work to focus on resolving these types of disputes to achieve a skilled resolution as efficiently as possible while serving our clients.
608.237.6673