Connecticut Elder Law Attorneys | Connecticut Elder Law

Connecticut Lawyers Providing Valuable Legal Aid for Various Elder Law Issues

Elder law is closely related to estate planning. At the Law Offices Of Ericson, Scalise & Mangan, PC, we assist seniors and their families with a broad range of elder care services. These legal services include goal-oriented wealth preservation and management, as well as the complex and emotional challenges of caring for older adults. Your parents, family members, and all of us at some point may need help with the disposition of assets and property, end-of-life decisions, and more.

Older adults and their loved ones face many challenges, and they often require advocates who can handle a wide range of legal matters. Our law firm understands that the needs of older people can be deeply personal and emotionally challenging to navigate without legal representation. Healthcare, long-term care, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are complex concerns that affect families. From everyday care for our elderly clients to assisting with financial decisions, our priority is to ease the unavoidable stress they face.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring Legal Representation?

At the Law Offices Of Ericson, Scalise & Mangan, we provide a wide range of elder law services. Our attorneys stay up to date on the latest legal issues, and our team is skilled at managing the complex forms and applications required.

Our legal services include:

Conservatorship
Title XIX (Title 19)/Medicaid Planning and Medicaid Law
Title XIX (Title 19)/ Application
Nursing Home Issues
Probate Court Process
Long-Term Care Insurance
Durable Power of Attorney and Other Powers of Attorney Documents
Health Care Representation
Advanced Directives (Living Wills)
Veteran’s Benefits
Asset Protection Planning
Disability Planning
Medicaid Planning
And Other Elder Care Issues

When Should Our Family Start Planning for the Future?

It is never too early to start planning for your family’s future, and total care planning should ideally begin before a crisis arises, such as a chronic illness. In many instances, older adults wait until it is almost too late to begin the legal process to apply for Medicaid benefits or to protect assets. The best advice is to seek legal counsel immediately so you can make informed decisions aligned with your wishes.

What Documents are Crucial for Elder Care Planning?

Although many estate-planning documents, such as a will, trust, and power of attorney, are also crucial for elder care coordination, additional documentation is needed to ensure maximum protection. Some of the other essential documents needed include:

Healthcare Proxy: This document names your appointed agent, who is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated
Advance Directive: Also called a living will, which states your wishes for what you prefer for end-of-life care, such as resuscitation or life support
Do Not Resuscitate Order: A DNR is a specific document that specifies that you do not want CPR if your heart stops
POLST/MOLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): These medical orders are more specific than a living will and are meant for individuals who have severe or life-limiting conditions

How the Connecticut Medicaid Look-Back Period Affects Your Planning

Connecticut has specific rules regarding the Medicaid look-back period, which reviews asset transfers made in the years before applying for benefits — and violating these rules can delay your eligibility significantly.

Understanding how the look-back period works is essential to protecting your assets while still qualifying for the long-term care coverage you need.

What You Need to Know About the Look-Back Period

The five-year review. When you apply for Medicaid in Connecticut, the state examines financial transactions made within the five years before your application. Assets transferred or gifted during this window can trigger a penalty period during which you’re ineligible for benefits.
Penalty calculations. The penalty period is based on the value of the transferred assets divided by the average cost of nursing home care in Connecticut. The larger the transfer, the longer the resulting period of ineligibility.
Permitted transfers. Not every transfer triggers a penalty. Certain transfers — such as those to a spouse or a disabled dependent — may be exempt. A knowledgeable elder law attorney can identify which strategies protect your assets without jeopardizing eligibility.
Why early planning matters. Because the look-back period reaches back five years, the earlier you begin planning, the more options you have to legally protect your assets. Waiting until a health crisis forces the issue severely limits what can be done.

Our elder law attorneys help Connecticut families structure asset protection strategies that comply with Medicaid rules while preserving wealth for the next generation.

Additional Elder Law Resources for Connecticut Seniors

Beyond the legal services our firm provides, Connecticut offers several resources and programs designed to protect and support seniors, and knowing where to turn can make a meaningful difference for aging adults and their families.

Our team is committed to helping seniors across Hartford County, Fairfield County, and throughout Connecticut access the assistance they deserve.

Support Programs Available to Connecticut Seniors

Consumer Law Project for Elders (CLPE). Connecticut offers a dedicated hotline for seniors 60 and older who are dealing with consumer problems, scams, or financial exploitation. Seniors can call 1-800-453-3320 for free legal advice on consumer issues.
Connecticut Legal Rights Project. This organization provides free legal services to low-income adults, helping seniors navigate issues related to benefits, housing, and patients’ rights.
Volunteer elder law services. Volunteer attorneys throughout Hartford County and the surrounding areas offer legal assistance to seniors who may not otherwise have access to professional guidance.
Elder abuse protection. Legal actions are available to protect seniors against exploitation, financial abuse, and neglect. If you suspect an aging loved one is being taken advantage of, an elder law attorney can help you take action to protect their rights and assets.

When to Seek Professional Legal Guidance

While these resources are valuable, complex matters involving Medicaid planning, conservatorship, probate court, and asset protection often require dedicated legal expertise. Our knowledgeable elder law attorneys provide the personalized solutions your family deserves. Contact our New Britain or Avon offices to schedule a consultation and take control of your family’s future.

Schedule an In-Depth Case Evaluation with Experienced Connecticut Elder Law Attorneys Today

The rules for Medicaid eligibility and other government benefit programs can be complex and may change annually. It is essential to have the most up-to-date information when beginning or revising your long-term care planning process. Our elder law lawyers want to help you determine your legal options, protect your legal rights, and assist you in applying for government assistance programs for which you may be eligible.

If you are interested in our legal services, contact our law firm to talk with our legal team today. We are proud of our many years of advocacy for our community’s elders and their families, as we navigate the challenges of Connecticut elder law.

To protect your assets and safeguard your eligibility for public benefits, it is vital to begin elder care planning and long-term care planning sooner rather than later. With our elder law attorneys, we are confident we can address your concerns and answer your questions about Medicaid asset division, public benefit programs, asset protection strategies, and more.

Law Offices Of Ericson, Scalise & Mangan, PC serves clients across Connecticut. We have elder law practice offices in New Britain, CT, and Avon, CT. To contact our New Britain law office, please call 860-854-3809. Alternatively, to reach our Avon law office, please call 860-854-3545.