Seven Reasons Why It’s Important to Talk To An Attorney Who Understands the Needs Of Hospice Patients and Their Families

Hospice is an approach to medical care for patients nearing the end of their life.  The goal is to enhance the quality of life for patients who have a terminal illness.  With that in mind, hospice focuses on pain management and symptom relief while addressing the patient’s emotional, social and spiritual needs-as well as the needs of the family members.  Hospice lets patients and their families share their end-of-life experience with dignity, and in most cases, in the comfort of their own homes.

There are often legal issues which arise at this time.  There may be decisions to make on how to handle things ranging from healthcare decisions making to financial management to how your   property should pass at your death.  Following is a list of some of the reasons why it’s important to deal with an attorney skilled in helping families during this difficult time.

      1. It is important to deal with an attorney who concentrates his or her practice on these types of issues.  Helping families through this difficult time takes a special set of skills.  Not only is is important to have an attorney who understands the technical part of the law, but it’s also critical to have an attorney who understands the emotional aspects.  You want someone you will be comfortable with, and someone who has provided the services to countless families going through the same issues you and your family face now.

      2. The attorney’s staff must also be well-trained.  Hospice caseworkers are a special group of     people.  Once you’ve dealt with them, you quickly find that to be true.  And while it’s important to deal with an attorney who is sensitive and understands the issues you’re facing…it’s also   crucial to deal with an attorney whose practice is geared toward helping you and your loved ones.  Plus it’s important that the attorney’s staff also understands all of the challenges you are facing since you may be dealing with the support staff often.

      3. You want an attorney who understands the government programs that are available to you.  In this day and age, it’s difficult for any professional to know all there is to know about any given topic. That’s especially true when it comes to issues of government benefits like Medicare and Medicaid.  It’s important that you deal with an attorney who works frequently in this area and who is used to dealing with the State.  You need an attorney who knows how to help you and your family.

      4. It is important to deal with an attorney who knows how to help you to protect your life’s savings.  No matter the size of your estate, you worked hard to earn it.  It’s important to you and it’s important to your family that you pass along as much of it as possible.  When selecting an attorney, be sure that he or she is knowledgeable on how to help you arrange things so that you receive the care you need and so that your assets will be preserved for your family to the   greatest extent allowed by the law.

      5. How to avoid probate – For many hospice patients, one of the most important concerns in the event of their death is that they want their estate to pass to their loved ones without going through probate.  There are many ways to accomplish this, ranging from simple beneficiary designations to gifting strategies to trust planning and so on.  It is important that you deal with an attorney who understands the various ways that property passes…and who can show you how to arrange your estate to avoid probate where that is appropriate.

      6.  It is important to work with an attorney who knows the value of a dollar.  One of the biggest gripes people have in dealing with legal professionals is that they feel like they are “on the clock” and will be charged extra for every question they ask or every time they pick up the phone.  Where possible, you should consider an attorney who works on a flat fee basis.  Ideally, you want someone who will not charge for the initial phone call or consultation, and then who will tell you to the penny exactly what will be involved and what the cost will be.  That way you can be a smart consumer and get the most for your dollar, while making sure that things are handled in the most appropriate manner. 

      7. Select an attorney who makes house calls.  Dealing with clients on hospice is unlike most other types of legal practice.  Usually the family has to go to the attorney’s office for a consultation.  Not only can this be stressful, but it also takes a lot of time.  An attorney who deals with hospice, on the other hand, will make house calls when needed.  This makes things easier on the family, especially in the late stages, since often times hospice patients have great difficulty getting around.

      All of these are reasons why it is important to deal with someone who practices in this        important area of the law and who has sensitivity to the needs of hospice patients and their families. If you would like an initial consultation with an attorney who has helped hundreds of local families deal with these types of issues, then call David Wingate, Elder Law Office of David Wingate at 301 663 9230.