Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys in Southeastern Pennsylvania

As we age, planning for the future becomes essential. At Herr, Potts and Potts we provide elder care, estate planning, and trust estate administration for individuals and families across Wayne, PA, West Chester, PA, and throughout Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County. Our experienced attorneys provide personalized solutions to help you preserve your assets, secure your legacy, and maintain peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Whether you need help creating elder law plans, managing federal benefits, establishing a power of attorney, or ensuring your family’s financial and healthcare needs are met, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Elder Law: What It Involves and Why It Matters

Elder law encompasses a range of legal issues, including estate planning, federal benefits, guardianships, and special needs planning. At its core, it’s about protecting seniors and their families as they face challenges related to aging, such as medical expenses, asset protection, and long-term care.

Our team works closely with clients to minimize tax exposure, ensure assets are preserved, and safeguard against financial abuse. By creating comprehensive elder law plans, we provide seniors and their families with clarity, security, and lasting peace of mind.

Who is the Client in Elder Law Cases?

Determining the client in elder law matters is an important first step. In many cases, adult children bring their elderly parents to meet with an attorney, but the parent remains the client. If the elderly individual is of sound mind, they retain control of their legal and financial decisions.

At Herr, Potts and Potts we prioritize transparency and fairness by:

  • Clearly identifying the client
  • Defining the scope of representation
  • Outlining fees in a written agreement

If there are concerns about decision-making capacity, our attorneys can assess whether protective measures—such as guardianships—are necessary to protect the individual’s best interests.

Guardianships for Seniors in Pennsylvania

When seniors face physical or mental disabilities that limit their ability to care for themselves, a guardianship may be required. Pennsylvania law allows for the appointment of a guardian to manage health care, financial, and custodial needs.

Guardianship becomes necessary when an elderly person cannot:

  • Manage their finances or protect their property
  • Meet essential health or safety requirements

Our attorneys assist families in navigating the guardianship process, advocating for the elderly individual’s needs while ensuring their rights are protected. Guardianships are serious legal arrangements, and our firm works diligently to achieve the best outcome for all involved.

Federal Benefits for Senior Citizens

Many seniors rely on federal programs to support their health and financial well-being. Our attorneys help clients understand and maximize these benefits, ensuring they receive the assistance they are entitled to under federal law.

Key programs include:

  1. Social Security
    Social Security provides a reliable source of monthly income for retirees, individuals with disabilities, and surviving family members. Seniors typically become eligible at age 62, with benefits increasing the longer they delay retirement.
  2. Medicare/Medical Assistance
    Medicare helps cover essential medical expenses for individuals 65 and older. It includes hospital care, physician services, and prescription drugs. We assist clients in navigating Medicare/Medical Assistance options to ensure they receive the coverage they need.
  3. Medicaid
    Medicaid provides coverage for medical and long-term elder care costs. This includes nursing home expenses, which can quickly deplete a family’s assets. Our attorneys help clients qualify for Medicaid without sacrificing their financial security.

By incorporating these programs into your broader elder law plans, we can protect your assets while ensuring access to necessary care and services.

Estate Planning and Elder Care in Pennsylvania

Estate planning is a critical part of elder law, allowing seniors to protect their assets, minimize tax liability, and ensure their wishes are honored. Contrary to popular belief, estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wants to secure their legacy and provide for their loved ones.

At Herr, Potts and Potts, we provide comprehensive estate planning services, including:

  • Drafting powers of attorney to allow trusted individuals to make financial and healthcare decisions
  • Establishing living trusts to manage and protect assets
  • Creating asset protection plans to preserve wealth in the face of nursing home expenses or long-term care costs
  • Filing Federal Estate Tax Returns and utilizing portability to maximize estate tax exemptions for surviving spouses

Our firm has handled a variety of estate planning matters, such as:

  • Setting up Living Trusts to prevent financial exploitation of seniors
  • Drafting Powers of Attorney to avoid costly guardianship proceedings
  • Establishing asset protection plans to ensure seniors can afford long-term care without depleting their estates

Whether you’re planning for retirement, managing healthcare concerns, or preparing for the future, our attorneys are here to guide you with personalized solutions.

Recent Elder Law Success Stories

Our attorneys have successfully represented clients in a variety of elder care and estate planning matters, including:

  • Protecting a senior’s assets by creating a plan for nursing home care while preserving their financial security
  • Establishing Powers of Attorney to allow adult children to make decisions on behalf of their aging parents
  • Filing Federal Estate Tax Returns and utilizing portability to minimize taxes for surviving spouses
  • Setting up a Living Trust to prevent a family member from misusing a senior’s assets

With decades of experience serving families in Wayne, PA, West Chester, PA, and throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, our firm is committed to helping seniors and their families achieve peace of mind.

Why Choose Us for Your Elder Law Needs?

At Herr, Potts and Potts, we understand that aging brings unique challenges for individuals and families. Our attorneys have spent years crafting effective elder law plans, handling estate administration, and assisting with trusts and tax planning. We take a compassionate, personalized approach to every case, ensuring your needs are met with care.

Serving clients across Wayne, West Chester, Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County, we provide:

  • Tailored solutions for estate and special needs planning
  • Guidance on federal benefits like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
  • Support with guardianships, powers of attorney, and trusts estate administration
  • Skilled representation to help you navigate complex legal matters

Schedule Your Confidential Consultation Today

If you or a loved one need assistance with elder care, estate planning, or guardianship, the attorneys at Herr, Potts and Potts are here to help. With over 80 years of experience serving southeastern Pennsylvania, we have the knowledge and dedication to protect your family’s future.

 Let us give you the peace of mind you deserve as you plan for the road ahead.