Sinclair Prosser Gasior provides representation to clients in the Washington, D.C. area who are in need of help with elder law and estate planning issues. It is important for everyone, including both younger and older people, to ensure they have made the right plans in case of incapacity or serious physical or mental injury. It is also important to make a plan for a secure retirement, to take steps to protect assets, and to take control of your legacy.
Many people do not realize that estate planning and elder law attorneys help with some of these issues, such as retirement planning or asset protection. However, the reality is that attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior can provide you with a wide variety of services aimed at making your future and family more secure. If you live in or around the Washington, D.C. area and you want to work with a compassionate and knowledgeable legal professional who can help you to discuss your goals for the future, make a plan for achieving them, and use the right tools to get started, give us a call today.
Life in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., or the District of Columbia, is the United States capital and is one of the oldest cities in the country and one of the most visited cities in the world. Washington was first founded after the American Revolution and was created to be the seat of the new government. It got its name from the first president of the United States, George Washington.
While Washington receives frequent visitors and is considered a major city, it is a small city in terms of area and its population is also not very large compared with other major U.S. Cities. As of the most recent census, the Washington metropolitan area where D.C. is located had a population of just over 6.1 million while the District itself had a population of almost 700,000. Washington D.C. is considered to be the principal city within the Washington metro area.
Washington D.C. is home to not just the White House, but also the Capital Building as well as the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and numerous government agencies. More than 20 million tourists visit the D.C. area on an annual basis.
Seniors in Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. had the lowest median age of any of the 50 states of the most recent census, with a median age of just 34 years old. However, despite this, there are still many senior citizens living in the Washington area. Often, senior citizens need help and support so they can keep living independently in their homes and maintain connections to the broader community. Seniors can find out about resources available to them in the D.C. area using the following resources:
- The Washington D.C. Office on Aging: The D.C. Office on Aging provides details on community dining sites, adult education programs, emergency services, transportation programs, disability services, help for caregivers, and more.
– Family Matters of Greater Washington: Ward 8 Senior Services is focused on enriching the lives of seniors by providing art therapy, group exercises classes, health education, nutrition education, counseling services, case management, help acquiring listening aids, transportation and more. You can find out about available services and see a calendar of events on the Web site.
Sinclair Prosser Gasior also helps seniors to make certain they can become eligible for Medicaid benefits in case they require more comprehensive services such as nursing home care or long-term care at home. Medicare typically won’t pay for nursing home care or home health aides, but means-tested Medicaid benefits will. The problem is, many seniors don’t qualify for Medicaid because they have too many resources. Making a Medicaid plan can allow you to protect our wealth and access Medicaid coverage for nursing home care when you need it.
Probate Courts in Washington, D.C
Sinclair Prosser Gasior provides help to people of all ages with another important issue as well: handling probate court proceedings.
Probate court is the court that presides over guardianship or conservatorship proceedings. If someone has become incapacitated with no incapacity plan, then a guardian or conservator might need to be appointed. This can happen during proceedings in probate if the court is convinced that the individual is actually incapacitated. The court will choose the guardian or conservator.
Probate court also presides over the settlement of estates. In probate court, a will’s validity can be determined and the formal official transfer of assets can be carried out. Assets can also pass under intestacy law in circumstances where no last will and testament has been created.
It’s important to be represented by a qualified attorney in probate court to make sure the right person is appointed guardian or conservator or to ensure the wishes of the deceased are respected and your inheritance is kept safe during the probate process. Sinclair Prosser Gasior represents all those involved in probate, including heirs or beneficiaries, the executor of an estate, as well as anyone seeking to contest a will.
You can call us for personalized help or can find out more by visiting the Web site of the probate court for the District of Columbia. This court presides over probate matters if the incapacitated or deceased person lives or lived in the district. On the site, you can find out what probate is, how it works, where the court is, and how to file probate paperwork so you can initiate proceedings.
Getting Help from a Washington, D.C. Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney
A Washington, D.C. elder law and estate planning lawyer will provide personalized help and advice with all aspects of the legacy planning process, the estate planning process, the incapacity planning process, and more. We help you to protect assets, set and accomplish goals, and understand how to build a more secure future for yourself and your loved ones.
To find out more about all of the different ways Sinclair Prosser Gasior can help you, join us for a free seminar today. You can also give us a call at 410-573-4818 or contact us online to learn more