Bullhead City elder abuse attorney
Older people — and, in some cases, younger adults — may find themselves unable to care for their daily needs and handle their financial affairs. When this happens, elder law steps in to protect people from elder abuse and other dangers.
If you need help protecting a loved one from abuse, exploitation and physical difficulties, Knochel Law Offices is here for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment at our offices in Bullhead City.
Seeking Guardianship and Conservatorship Over a Loved One
There are several conditions that can cause adults to lose the mental or physical capacity to care for themselves. Once this happens, the affected person may be vulnerable to abuse and other dangerous situations. Common conditions include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Stroke
- Quadriplegia
- Mental retardation
- Drug abuse
Stopping Elder Abuse and Exploitation
If you believe a loved one has become the victim of elder abuse, we can help you file a complaint and follow up on that complaint with the appropriate Adult Protective Services (APS) agency in Arizona, Nevada or California.
Elder abuse does not just include physical abuse. Most cases of elder abuse involve unscrupulous relatives and caregivers overreaching their authority to take financial advantage of adults in vulnerable positions. In these cases, we can help the abused person or his or her representative sue the abuser for damages.
Contact our elder law attorneys today to take action against elder abuse.
Common Questions
As an Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law Attorney serving clients across Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu, and Parker, Arizona, I frequently help individuals and families navigate complex legal decisions about their future, their assets, and their care. These areas of law can seem daunting, but understanding the basics is the first step. Here are answers to 15 of the most common questions I receive:
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of preparing for the management and distribution of your assets after your death or incapacitation, while also making provisions for your healthcare wishes.
Why do I need an Estate Plan?
It ensures your wishes regarding your assets and healthcare are followed, minimizes potential taxes and court costs (like probate), and provides for your loved ones, avoiding family disputes.
What is a Will?
A Will (Last Will and Testament) is a legal document that specifies how your property should be distributed after your death and can name guardians for minor children. It typically goes through probate.
What is a Trust, and how is it different from a Will?
A Trust is a legal arrangement where assets are held by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries. Unlike a Will, a properly funded Trust can often avoid probate, offering more privacy and potentially quicker distribution of assets.
What are Powers of Attorney?
These documents designate someone to make financial (Durable Power of Attorney) or healthcare (Healthcare Power of Attorney) decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. They are crucial for avoiding guardianship.
What is Probate?
Probate is the court-supervised legal process of proving a Will’s validity, gathering the deceased’s assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries. In Arizona, probate can be lengthy and public.
Is Probate always necessary in Arizona?
No. Assets held in a properly funded Trust, jointly owned property with rights of survivorship, or accounts with designated beneficiaries (like IRAs or life insurance) can often avoid probate. Small estates may also qualify for simplified procedures.
What is Elder Law?
Elder Law focuses on legal issues affecting seniors, including long-term care planning (e.g., Medicaid eligibility), guardianship, estate planning for disability, and protection against elder abuse.
How can Elder Law help with long-term care costs?
An Elder Law attorney can help you plan for potential long-term care expenses, including strategies to protect assets while qualifying for programs like Medicaid (AHCCCS) that can cover nursing home care in Arizona.
What is Guardianship?
Guardianship is a court process where a judge appoints someone to make personal (guardian) and/or financial (conservator) decisions for an individual who is deemed incapacitated and unable to make decisions for themselves.
How can I avoid Guardianship?
By having comprehensive estate planning documents in place, specifically Durable Powers of Attorney for financial matters and Healthcare Powers of Attorney for medical decisions, you can often avoid the need for court-appointed guardianship.
What is a Beneficiary Deed in Arizona?
A Beneficiary Deed is a unique Arizona tool that allows you to transfer real property to a designated beneficiary upon your death, outside of probate, while retaining full ownership during your lifetime.
When should I review my Estate Plan?
You should review your estate plan every 3-5 years, or sooner if there are significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child/grandchild, death of a beneficiary, or substantial changes in assets or laws.
What if a family member is financially exploiting an elder?
This falls under elder abuse. An Elder Law attorney can help investigate, take legal action to recover assets, and seek protective orders to stop the exploitation. Reporting to Adult Protective Services is also crucial.
What's the first step if I have Estate Planning, Probate, or Elder Law questions?
Contact an experienced attorney in Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu, or Parker. We offer consultations to discuss your unique family situation, answer your questions, and guide you through creating a personalized legal strategy that protects your legacy and loved ones.
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Contact Our Kingman Business Litigation Attorneys Today
We invite you to contact Knochel Law Offices, P.C., today at 928-542-4218, or toll free 866-674-4003, to schedule a confidential consultation about your appeal. Our law office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request. We offer many of our services for flat fees rather than billing by the hour. Our firm accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards.
