Elder Law

Travis Dafoe is a trustworthy local attorney from Frankenmuth, Michigan, committed to his clients in elder law. He prides himself on building relationships with his clients, not just building their estate plans. Contact us today for any legal advice that you may need. To schedule an appointment with us you can call us at 989-341-4966 or submit an online form by clicking here.

Travis I. Dafoe is a member of NAELA. NAELA, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, explains elder law and special needs law as follows:

Elder and Special Needs Law are specialized areas that involve representing, counseling and assisting seniors, people with disabilities and their families in connection with a wide variety of legal issues, with a primary emphasis on promoting the highest quality of life for individuals. Typically, Elder Law and Special Needs Law address the convergence of legal needs with the social, psychological, medical, and financial needs of individuals. The Elder Law and Special Needs Law attorney handles estate planning and counsels clients about planning for incapacity with health care decision-making documents. The Elder and Special Needs Law attorney also assists clients in planning for possible long-term care needs, including at-home care, assisted living, or [skilled nursing care facilities or nursing homes]. Locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating public and private resources to finance the cost of care and working to ensure the client’s right to quality care are all part of the Elder and Special Needs Law practice.

Dafoe Law, PLLC, is a member of the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association. Dafoe Law, PLLC, uses Life Care Planning to help our elderly clients to receive the best care. Life Care Planning provides guidance for elders moving through the long-term care process. It provides peace of mind to our clients to know they have a plan.

What Is Life Care Planning?

It is a boutique practice streamlined solely to meet the needs of the elder client facing the long-term care process. We focus on maximizing the quality of life and independence while preserving assets from the high cost of care. We provide assistance with legal, financial, and care-related challenges elders face.

It is also a holistic approach to the care needs of elders. The attorney works with our in-house Elder Care Coordinator and your financial planner to make a plan that best fits the individual elder. We also work closely with community resources to ensure that the most appropriate reassures are being utilized and the best care provided.

Long-Term Care Planning: The terms elder law and long-term care planning are used to mean different things. At Dafoe Law, PLLC, we educate our clients on the law and provide strategies that the clients understand to plan for the future.

Long-term care planning has two components: (1) disability planning and (2) medical care planning. Each of these components is important. There are many different strategies that are available to individuals to plan. Understanding these solutions and making the best decisions for you is the challenge.

Disability planning is very important, but an often overlooked part of estate planning. A medical durable power of attorney along with a financial power of attorney will provide you with the opportunity to name individuals to make decisions on your behalf. It also should include provisions allowing the fiduciary to make gifts and apply for government benefits.

The importance of having these documents in place cannot be overstated. Without these documents, your loved ones will be required to go to court and spend time and money to be granted the authority to act on your behalf. Furthermore, it removes you completely from having any say in the decisions that are made. Long-term medical planning is one of the greatest fears that many individuals come to an attorney with. They hear horror stories about losing their homes and the cost of nursing home care. However, things are rarely as frightening as the stories you hear. However, there are things that should be done to put yourself in the best position possible.

The best strategies will depend on several factors:

• Age and health
• Wealth and Income
• Individual goals
• Types of assets

A one-size-fits-all strategy is never a good idea, but when doing long-term care it can be even worse.

Medicaid Rules And Planning: The rules for government benefits can often be overwhelming to individuals not used to dealing with government bureaucracy. In Michigan, an individual is allowed to own assets not exceeding $2,000, have a house, and a car to qualify for Medicaid for skilled-nursing facilities. Additionally, there are certain assets that do not count against the total.

Income is also considered when applying for a Medicaid alternative known as Michigan Choice Waiver. Michigan Choice Wavier will provide payment for assisted living facilities, so long as you also qualify under the Medicaid Asset test. Our clients often come to our office when they are looking at an impending or immediate admission into a skilled nursing facility. This is sometimes referred to as crisis planning. It leaves clients with fewer options. Clients are encouraged to meet with us and prepare a plan well before they will need that type of care. We are able to help provide them with peace of mind through the development of a plan and the hands-on approach of our Elder Care Coordinator.

Skilled-Nursing Facility, Assisted Living, P.A.C.E., and other options: There are a broad array of living choices available to elderly individuals in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Determining which one is best for you can be a daunting task. Our Elder Care Coordinator can assist you in determining which one provides the right services and care options for you. In other words, which place fits your needs best. Maybe staying in your home and bringing care into the home is a possibility. The Elder Care Coordinator will be there to assist you in finding companies, interviewing the companies, and picking the one that provides what you need. Additionally, our Elder Care Coordinator can attend care meetings, help advocate for the necessary care, ad act to resolve conflicts if they arise. Our Elder Care Coordinator becomes your go-to person for all your needs when it comes to elder living options. The elder care coordinator becomes your advocate when dealing not just with doctors and medical professionals but also with individuals at any of these facilities.

Elder Law

Our firm is a member of the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association, which provides holistic, interdisciplinary elder law solutions for our clients. We advocate and plan for the elders in your life to receive the best care available. Learn more or call about a seminar.

Veteran Benefits

Dafoe Law, PLLC, will help you file and acquire your veteran benefits. We can also help with any other issues related to property including health and medical care, disability benefits, and veterans benefits for surviving spouses.

Medicaid Rules And Planning

We will help you understand and plan for Medicaid benefits. We can also help with any other issues related to Annuities and Medicaid planning including, disability benefits, senior living, and more.