James F. Lentz, Attorney and Counselor at Law

You Don’t Need to Go Downtown for Excellent Legal Representation Anymore

Elder Law has grown over the last several years as the WWII generation has aged.  Aging in America presents its own special set of issues that include the need for protection from financial and personal predators, resolution of Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare problems, and wealth transition with minimal tax consequences.  Nursing home and assisted living billing and health situations often require early intervention by an attorney familiar with  the issues.  Wealth transition to a new generation outside of the probate court and with tax minimization is an important Elder law factor.

Probate Law is the law of oversight.  In probate, we ask the Court to review the distribution of assets of a deceased; oversee the finances and living situation of a juvenile or incompetent, and oversee the distribution of assets from a lawsuit award to a juvenile, usually as the result of the death of a parent.

· Estate Planning

· Wills, Trusts, Transfer on Death Deeds

· Domesticated Animal Trusts

· Heir assignment for persons not married and not children

· Guardianships

· Private Trustee Services

· Conservatorships

· Will challenge

· Will & Trust storage

· Tax Planning Trusts: GST trusts, Charitable lead and charitable remainder trusts

Phone: 216-410-6345

Fax: 216-803-1862

E-mail: jfl@po.cwru.edu

To Contact James F. Lentz, Attorney

Elder Law and Probate Law

How do we take the keys from the Senior Parent?  It happens often: the survivor of Mom or Dad continues to drive long after they should have given up the keys.  They are scared of the loss of independence, and want to avoid being a burden to the children.

 

But allowing a parent to continue to drive creates a risk to the parent and others unfortunate enough to be in their way.  Sometimes a parent must be told that for their safety and that of others, the car must be sold.  Where deterioration has not yet occurred, try this:

 

Step One: Help them to see the issue.  AARP and some guardianship services offer Senior Driving Training and Evaluation.  At the least the course will help the senior driver acquire skills to help them stay safe.  This also allows an independent evaluator the job of determining if they need to lessen or discontinue driving altogether.

 

Step Two: Provide transportation alternatives BEFORE the senior driver’s ability deteriorates.  Give the senior driver taxi vouchers or access to the neighborhood senior shuttle and encourage them to try these resources before they become necessary.  This gives the senior a chance to get used to the idea that one day they will have to stop driving, and that life will still go on.