The Continuity of Tradition, and the Efficiency of Innovation.

Attorney Jesse F. Bifulco

Jesse Bifulco has over 20 years’ of legal experience. Applying that experience using innovative law office technology allows us to offer sophisticated Elderlaw legal services at competitive fees. Most Elderlaw matters qualify for flat rate fees. Our clients obtain their objectives, and enjoy peace of mind all with a predictable cost. Jesse Bifulco is an Elderlaw attorney in Camden Maine.

What is Elderlaw?

Elderlaw is the conduct of a senior’s personal and financial affairs in a way that protects the client if she or he should become vulnerable. It involves planning for eligibility for nursing home or home healthcare benefits. It is planning and drafting documents in a way that preserves as much of the client’s property as possible for their use as well as any plans for disabled dependent family members.

Elderlaw and Estate Planning Distinguished

While Elderlaw and Estate Planning have many different facets and complexities, and deal with federal and state rules and laws, these general definitions are a useful starting point.
Elderlaw is a legal practice centered upon the issues that most effect older people. Such as mental and physical competence, medicaid, and end of life decisions. Makes sense right? But what are those issues? The answer to that question depends upon what place along the spectrum of competence and economic security the client falls. For instance, most clients have the good sense to decide about a guardian for themselves while they’re competent enough to name that person. Or perhaps they have difficulty getting around, but also have a trustworthy companion to drive or go to the bank. Or perhaps they have a disabled child or grandchild they need to set up a trust for. But wherever the client is on that spectrum, there are Elderlaw legal issues that can be reasonably and affordably addressed by Elderlaw attorneys in Camden Maine. Generally the client is asking: How do I preserve my assets? Or, how do I make the most of what assets and benefits We’ve earned, in order to be as comfortable as possible in my twilight years? And, also, how do I leave as much of my property to my surviving spouse, kids and grandkids as possible?
Estate Planning generally deals with minimizing the tax consequences of transferring property from one generation to another. While both of these areas of law have many different facets and complexities, and deal with federal and state rules and laws, these general definitions are a useful starting point.
While Elderlaw and Estate Planning are different, there is definitely an overlap between the two. We’ve seen people in the Elderlaw category who are still working. We’ve also seen people in the Elderlaw category who we must meet at the hospital or nursing home in order to get their work done. Whether it’s Elderlaw or Estate Planning, the client-centered approach is to ask the client first what issues they are most concerned about. Once we’ve answered their questions, we then suggest issues they might not have thought about. Because, as my father and former law partner always told me, if you know about an issue you can do something about it. But if you don’t even know there is an issue, you won’t see the problem coming until it is too late.
Some examples of the tools and planning used by Elderlaw attorneys in Camden Maine are: Supplemental Needs Trust, Irrevocable Grantor Settled Trusts, Family Limited Liability Company, Last Will and Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Irrevocable Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, Irrevocable Dynasty Trust, Power of Attorney, Advance healthcare directives, Business succession planning, Designing charitable trusts and family foundations, Estate and gift tax planning, Litigation, Mainecare Applications, Powers of Attorney for Healthcare, or Healthcare Proxies, Transfers of Title to Real Estate, Buying and Selling of Real Estate

Wills, Living Wills, Advance Healthcare Directives, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts, Durable Estate Planning Powers of Attorney

To learn more about how to create your own personalized estate plan, register for one of our free workshops!