Elder Law & ALTCS

Legal care for aging adults and their loved ones

Aging brings unique legal challenges that call for experienced elder law attorneys. At Lihn Law Group, our knowledgeable and compassionate Peoria elder law team provides Arizona families with a full range of elder care services.

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Our elder care practice covers important issues facing aging adults, including guardianships, veterans assistance, long-term care (ALTCS), probate, conservatorships, and estate planning. We work closely with you to achieve your goals and prepare for a happy, healthy future.

Our Peoria elder law attorneys have decades of industry experience and are deeply committed to their craft. Whether you need help applying for veterans benefits or creating a living will, you can rely on our skilled legal team to deliver sound advice and tough representation both in and out of court. 

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Choose Lihn Law Group

At Lihn Law Group, we deliver exceptional legal care and service. With over 20 years of experience, we combine sincere empathy for our clients with a steadfast commitment to high-quality legal counseling, representation, and compassionate customer service.

Our skilled advocates will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and interests.

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We've Helped Hundreds of Clients Achieve Legal and Financial Clarity

At our firm, we understand that elder law needs vary significantly from person to person.

Here are just a few examples of how we’ve helped our clients handle complex legal and financial concerns:

  • Assisted a terminally ill, homebound cancer patient in creating an estate plan to document his end-of-life wishes and make sure his home and assets went to his partner and daughter.
  • Helped two sisters gain guardianship and conservatorship over their mother, who was living in an unsafe hoarding situation, so they could manage her finances and arrange for safer living accommodations.
  • Guided an elderly couple through comprehensive estate planning when the wife entered a skilled nursing facility with her care covered by ALTCS. After the husband’s sudden passing, our plan helped the wife continue receiving long-term care benefits.
  • Secured financial assistance to cover memory care costs for a client’s spouse with worsening dementia while protecting the client’s home and other assets.
  • Intervened when a client’s father experienced financial abuse and exploitation, helping the family remove the perpetrator from the estate plan and reorganize the father’s affairs to prevent more exploitation.
  • Created an irrevocable trust-based estate plan for a healthy, married couple in their 60s to protect and preserve their home and assets in case long-term care became necessary.

We’re proud to have helped hundreds of clients like these achieve the legal and financial clarity they need to plan for the future. Contact us today to learn how we can assist your family.

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My 96-year-old mother had run out of money and needed assisted living. I was stressed with no idea how to even begin.

Qualifying for ALTCS is very involved but Caleb led us through the whole process with kindness and reassurance. Whenever I called with a question the staff was helpful and friendly and would get back to me in a timely manner with the information I needed. I was very confident they would help me through. I cannot thank them enough

- Prior Client

Lihn Law Group Elder Law Services in Peoria

Long-Term Care Planning (ALTCS)

The Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) is a Medicaid program that provides health insurance coverage for Arizona seniors aged 65 and older, as well as disabled adults who require personal care services in nursing homes.

Unlike other Medicaid offerings, ALTCS specifically helps seniors pay for long-term care. The application process for ALTCS can be complex, so many aging adults in Peoria trust our experienced elder law attorneys to guide them through qualifying for these essential services.

The ALTCS can significantly offset the financial costs of long-term care, but the process often feels burdensome to tackle alone. Using our custom three-phase roadmap, our team guides families through the eligibility and application process to secure benefits while preserving assets.

Protecting Loved Ones with Guardianship & Conservatorship

When a spouse or family member can no longer handle their affairs, we help establish guardianship and conservatorship. This allows you to make personal, medical, and financial decisions on their behalf, shielding them from potential harm.

Comprehensive Estate Planning

We advise on and help plan for the cost of long-term care, the protection of assets as they pass to other family members, and the design and creation of end-of-life planning. Our estate planning services ensure your hard-earned assets are safe for the future.

Ending Financial Exploitation

It’s heartbreaking to see loved ones make risky choices with their money. Fortunately, Arizona has strict laws to protect older and vulnerable adults from exploitation. We enforce these laws to end financial abuse, recover improperly used funds, and hold wrongdoers accountable.

Veterans Assistance Benefits in Peoria

Elderly veterans in Arizona may qualify for many valuable assistance benefits, including insurance, healthcare, pensions, disability compensation, home loans, education, and more.

Our team of experienced Peoria elder law attorneys can manage the frustrating and complicated application process system for you and obtain the benefits you’ve earned.

With our experience, you can have a satisfactory outcome and get the support you need. Don’t miss out on the assistance you deserve. Let us handle the application process so you can focus on your well-being.

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Caleb Lihn and his team made applying for ALTCS benefits for my 99-year-old grandmother easy.

Caleb is a responsive and committed advocate; his team is experienced, courteous, and efficient. If you are seeking help with long-term care planning and benefits there is no need to look further. This team has my highest recommendation.

- Prior Client

Arizona Protects Vulnerable Adults

Arizona takes elder abuse seriously, with laws that protect vulnerable adults from neglect, exploitation, and mistreatment. The Adult Protective Services Act (APSA) and Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 13-3623 define various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, and neglect. These laws allow victims to seek compensation and set penalties for those found guilty of abuse.

Paying for Elder Care

Arizona offers programs to help seniors pay for long-term care. Medicaid and the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) are needs-based options that cover nursing home costs, skilled nursing, and certain in-home services.

Elder Law Experience

Elder law attorneys can help with various problems, including Medicaid and Medicare planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, and advance health care directives.

Reporting Elder Abuse

If you suspect elder abuse, the Arizona Attorney General’s office has information and resources available. You can also consult an elder law attorney for guidance on the state’s elder care laws.

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My sisters and I had many questions on how to properly care for a family member with dementia.

Caleb Lihn patiently answered all our questions and gave us solid advice on how to move forward to protect our family member. He was extremely knowledgeable and caring. We consider ourselves very lucky to have found such a great lawyer and advocate for the elderly. I worked in the legal field for 45 years and would wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Lihn to anyone with questions about elder care.

- Prior Client

Common Elder Care Legal Cases in Peoria, Arizona

Peoria, Arizona, residents can turn to a variety of elder care legal services, including:

Guardianships and Conservatorships

The probate court can appoint a guardian to make decisions about a person’s daily life if they cannot do so themselves. The court can also appoint a conservator to manage someone’s finances. Both guardianships and conservatorships help protect vulnerable elders.

Financial elder abuse is a serious crime that involves the illegal use of an older person’s money, property, or assets. It can rob seniors of their independence and financial security.

Common examples of financial elder abuse include:

  • Unauthorized use of a senior’s credit cards, ATM, or debit
  • Forging a senior’s signature
  • Diverting money meant to pay a senior’s rent
  • Making significant transfers of a senior’s assets
  • Charging exorbitant fees for services
  • Failing to provide promised services after payment

Anyone can commit financial elder abuse – family members, friends, neighbors, caregivers, healthcare providers, business associates, and even strangers.

If you suspect financial elder abuse, take action.

Signs of financial elder abuse include:

  • Sudden changes in a senior’s financial situation
  • Dramatic changes to wills, trusts, or financial plans
  • Scammers promising high returns with little to no risk

Don’t let seniors fall victim to financial exploitation. Stay vigilant and report any suspected abuse immediately.

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Abuse and Neglect Cases

Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and emotional abuse. Neglect, such as unclean living spaces, lack of hygiene, or insufficient food and water, is also a serious concern.

Your loved one may show signs of abuse, such as:

  • Dislocations, sprains, or broken bones
  • Bruises, scars, or welts on the body
  • Refusal to take medications
  • Restraint marks on wrists
  • A caregiver who is reluctant to allow you private time with your loved one

Caregivers who yell, belittle, or threaten their loved ones can cause significant harm. This abusive behavior may trigger fear, anxiety, or depression in the care recipient. It can also lead to social isolation, loneliness, and a reluctance to eat or engage in activities. Over time, this mistreatment can cause the care recipient’s physical health to decline.

Caregivers who neglect the elderly may exhibit several concerning behaviors. They may leave the elderly person unattended in public, fail to maintain safe living conditions (such as lack of heat or faulty wiring), or provide inappropriate clothing for the weather.

Neglectful caregivers may also not care for the elderly person’s hygiene, leading to problems like bedsores. Significant weight loss or dehydration are other red flags. 

Finally, too few untrained staff can reveal a pattern of neglect.

Watching for these signs can ensure your elderly loved ones receive the care and support they deserve.

Other Elder Care Legal Services

Additional legal services for Peoria elders include assistance with veterans’ benefits, long-term care (ALTCS) applications, and estate planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Qualifying for the benefits of ALTCS (Arizona Long-Term Care System) can be complex and daunting. However, we find great rewards in guiding our clients through this journey. To help simplify the path, we’ve developed a custom three-phase roadmap.

Eligibility for ALTCS services hinges on two key requirements:

  • Medical Qualification: Individuals must demonstrate a need for a “nursing level of care,” meaning they require extensive assistance with daily living activities.
  • Financial Qualification: Prospective ALTCS recipients must meet strict asset and income limits. Specifically, they can only possess $2,000 or less in countable assets and have a gross monthly income below $2,549.

While navigating the ALTCS application process can be challenging, our team supports you every step of the way. Let us use our knowledge to guide you through this rewarding journey to accessing the long-term care services you need.

Becoming a guardian or conservator involves obtaining legal authority to care for or manage the financial affairs of another person. This process begins with a court proceeding in which the court must deem the individual incapacitated—meaning they lack the understanding or ability to make responsible decisions about themselves or their finances.

The key points are:

  • Guardians have the legal authority to care for another person
  • Conservators have the legal authority to manage another person’s financial affairs
  • The court must determine the individual is “incapacitated” and unable to make their own decisions
  • This involves starting a formal court process to establish guardianship or conservatorship

We are experienced litigators and work with our clients in court to resolve cases. 

Caring for Aging Loved Ones in Peoria, Arizona with Lihn Law Group

Caring for aging loved ones is a family’s most important and challenging responsibility. At Lihn Law Group, we understand this journey’s emotional and logistical complexities. That’s why we offer a comprehensive solution to address every aspect of long-term care, legal, medical, and financial.

Our services ensure seniors receive the care they need while preserving their dignity and independence. We’ll coordinate your loved one’s care, protect their rights, and help preserve their legacy. Whether your loved one needs Medicaid planning or is fully self-funded, our elder law attorneys are here to support your family through life care planning.

Contact our special needs & elder law lawyers today to learn how we can provide you peace of mind by knowing your loved one’s needs are in good hands. Together, we’ll navigate this process with compassion and knowledge.