Orange County Elder Law Attorney

Geisler Patterson Law helps seniors plan for the future with wills, trusts,
advanced directives, and other elder law services.

Elder Law in Orange County

As you age, you go through numerous life changes. Many of the changes such as retirement and spending more time with family are welcome. However, you will face challenges as well. From deteriorating health to concerns about finances, these issues can be overwhelming. Fortunately, our Orange County elder law attorney can help you navigate through the complexities of aging. We are advocates for the elderly and families and will design a strategy to protect you during this stage of life.

We will begin with a free strategy session that will go over ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Then, we can develop a plan that might include a will, trust, long-term care planning, advanced directives, and more.

Elder Law Practice Areas

Geisler Patterson Law provides a range of services for elderly individuals and their families. Our services include:

Wills and trusts
Conservatorships
Powers of attorney
Advanced directives
Medi-Cal planning

Wills And Trusts

You want to make sure your wishes are carried out as you age and when you pass away. Our Orange County elder law attorney can help you accomplish this by creating a will and trust.

A will is typically the first document created for an estate plan. You’ll use this document to determine who will receive your assets when you pass away. It goes into effect upon death and then must go through probate before the assets are distributed.

Many Orange County residents also include a trust in their estate plans. You will transfer assets into the trust, effectively removing them from your estate. A revocable trust can be modified or revoked at any time, and you can serve as the trustee. On the other hand, an irrevocable trust cannot be changed, and you cannot serve as the trustee. However, you can use this type of trust to reduce your estate’s tax burden and shield assets from creditors. It can also be used for long-term care planning.

Medi-Cal Planning

Without a plan in place, long-term care can deplete all of your resources. Fortunately, you can protect your assets and legacy with Medi-Cal planning. Our Orange County elder law attorney can help you transfer non-exempt assets out of your estate so you can qualify for long-term care through Medi-Cal. At the same time, your loved ones can inherit those assets when you pass away.

With a 30-month lookback period on all asset transfers, early planning is critical. Contact our elder law attorney to discuss the steps you need to take to qualify. Our firm can also help you apply for the program when the time comes. With our help, you can get the care you need without bankrupting your estate.

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Practice Areas

Why Choose Geisler Patterson Law?

Free Strategy Sessions - Sign up for a free one-hour strategy session to discuss your needs over the phone or via Zoom.
Excellent Reviews - Martha Geisler Patterson has a “Superb” rating on Avvo, and the firm has amassed many five-star reviews on various sites.
Gives Back to the Community - Our Orange County elder law firm is dedicated to the community and supports causes important to our clients. This includes sponsoring a team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Free Resources - The firm provides free resources for those who need guidance regarding elder law topics. In addition, Orange County residents can attend free seminars.
An Advocate for the Elderly and Families - Martha Geisler Patterson advocates for seniors and their loved ones. Along with helping her clients, she serves on the board for the Kasem Cares Foundation. This foundation spreads awareness about adult rights and elder abuse.

Advanced Directives

You likely have specific wishes regarding your health and finances and are worried about what will happen if you become incapacitated. Advanced directives will ensure that your wishes are honored, even if you cannot make decisions for yourself. Our Orange County elder law attorney can help you create powers of attorney for healthcare and finances, along with a living will. You will name an agent who will step in and make decisions for you if you cannot care for yourself. The person will use your living will as a guide when managing your healthcare. By having the documents in place, your family won’t have to go to court to get the right to make decisions for you.

Conservatorships

If your loved one is incapacitated and requires care, you can petition the court for a conservatorship. You’ll only need to do this if your loved one does not have advanced directives that designate agents to handle financial and medical decisions. Our Orange County elder law attorney can go over the situation with you to see if you have grounds to file for a conservatorship. If you do, the attorney will assist with the process.