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Being without family or close friends who'll see that things after my death are honestly done, makes me afraid to choose the wrong estate lawyer to create my Will and Trust, plus an executor and other persons needed after death. I'm hoping those in my same situation who already found an honest estate lawyer and executor (whom they feel they can trust), will share the contacts with me? I read somewhere this:



"Take care, because this individual (or firm) will control your money when you can’t, and you take a big risk if you don’t know who they are and haven’t thoroughly vetted them."



Anticipating my biggest thanks for your response! :)

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Again and again I SINCERELY THANK YOU ALL who responded to my post on this thread, and for your collective kindness in giving your precious time to help me with sound and most welcome suggestions and advice. I shall follow this treasure of guidance and hope I'll finally find that elder lawyer who is right for me as an "Elder Orphan". Must do this as a priority since time is running out on me at incredible speed!

I praise caregiving and am grateful to you, caregivers for being VERY SPECIAL SOULS. May God Bless You All. :)

Sincerely,
Adela
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Regarding Elder Law Attorneys, I went to a large firm where if for some reason my Attorney retires/moves, then the firm will assign another one of their Elder Law Attorneys to take over.


I learned that from my elder parents. They wanted me to find the attorney (he did real estate settlements) they had used many moons ago to draw up a new set of legal documents as theirs were older than dirt, so chances were slim that he was still in practice, plus he was an one man shop. He had retired. Thankfully I was able to have my parents use our Elder Law Attorney. I was surprised that my Mom had liked her, as my Mom was old school saying women shouldn't be doctors or lawyers as men were much smarter.... (rolling eyes).
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Alba, I found a female estate lawyer, we'll call her "Brenda," to handle my will and other documents. I had no one to be executor of my estate if my daughter can't do it. So Brenda suggested that I name her, and she is perfect. She has a great reputation in the over-55 community where I live, and I like her on a personal basis. Brenda charges the estate for these services, but I have no problem with that; being an executor is hard work.

I suggest finding an attorney in the vicinity of a large group of senior citizens and asking members of that group if they know anything good/bad about those who seem promising. Even a monthly magazine for such a group could provide some leads because lawyers will be advertising there.

I wish you luck in your planning.
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You should consider hiring a Licensed Fiduciary. These people are trained and act with the courts often in cases of people without family. Because they work through and with attorneys, the attorney who helps you draw up your trust and move your properties into the trust can recommend a good Fiduciary to you. These people do this as a job and are paid to do it. The Trust, if well written will be iron clad as to where your funds will go. And to be honest, you will be dead. As Thomas Lynch, the poet, author and undertaker says, once you are dead there is NOTHING that anyone can do TO you, FOR you, ABOUT you or WITH you that will make the slightest difference.

See a good Trust and Estate attorney in your area. There are many ways to get a good recommend, often from your bank or from your NextDoor neighbors sites.
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Albapisar, if you are looking for an Elder Law Attorney, scroll down to the bottom of this page. Click on "Elder Law Attorneys" and it will take you to a page where you put in your city/state, and then it will give you the names of Elder Law Attorneys. That is how I found mine, and she is outstanding :)
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I asked My Chiropractor for the name of an elder attorney . Try asking Your Doctor - There are names of people On this site as well . Also YELP Gives reviews .
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Albapisar Aug 3, 2024
Thank you so much Nance. I started asking them as I go for my appointments. So far, one, and said he didn't know of any lol! But I'll continue on with my CPC and other specialists. Also, I'll lcheck for elder lawyers on this site too. Thanks again! :)
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I agree with Alva... the bigger issue is what happens while you're still alive -- but unable to make decisions on your own behalf. My Aunt lived with dementia for 12 years. It came on slowly. She didn't realize her own problem.

Or, you may have a disabling stroke that disables you, affects your ability to communicate and causes you to require 24/7 care.

You need a PoA or guardian now, before it becomes too late for you to assign one. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

FYI you fit into a category called "Elder Orphan". This term will be useful for you when doing internet searches.
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Albapisar Aug 3, 2024
Thank you so much Geaton777! Although at 96+ I still have my health intact except for worn out eyes, hearing and...teeth lol! I so appreciate your recommendations a lot since anything can happen at anytime! I just didn't give it a thought until I read your post. I shall start trying to get a POA. Perhaps I'll wait until I find an elder lawyer so I could include it in the "package". Thanks a lot again! :)
P.S. Is a POA the same as Health Proxy?
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Having no one, I am uncertain how much time I would spend on what happens after I am gone.
What you need to watch now is a financial manager of your money who is making his business by selling certain annuities and financial stocks and bonds dependent wholly on how much of a percentage he gets in profit for his business.
And good Trust and Estate Attorney in your area (ask around for recommendations, including on your local Nextdoor) can guide you to a licensed Fiduciary who can manage your money as POA when you are unable to (for payment). They work through the courts and are assigned all the time for those without family or for family perpetrating fraud.

One more hint. You can make an appointment with your banker, as they will often adminstrate for Trusts as well.

If you read this site I must tell you that you are not in as much danger from any licensed attorney, who would lose his license for wrong doing, as you would be from greedy relatives, and THAT'S for certain.

Getting yourself into a place where you don't trust CPAs or Attorneys or other licensed people is sinking into a kind of paranoia for which there cannot be answers. Not to be trusting, to have lost all trust isn't something we can restore for you with a trip to Lourdes. You will have to trust but verify, as Mr. Reagan said.

As you our helping you? I live in San Francisco and know more than a FEW excellent Trust and Estate Attorneys. That doesn't help you. Nor can Margaret recommend someone in Australia for you. We are caregivers and regular "folks" from all over the world with our OWN questions, and we can only wish you the very best.
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Albapisar Aug 3, 2024
Hi AlvaDear and thank you a lot for your sensible opinions and suggestions. The abuse by financial advisors at one's death is one facet of multiple abuses which worries me. But I've come to my senses and decided once and for all to find an elder lawyer and do everything I must. Yes, there are plenty estate lawyers in NYC but it takes longer to vet some as most I received from NYC Bar Assn. and other sources had so many bad reviews. I was shocked! But I'll resolve this obstacle too. :)

Interesting idea to have a banker administer my trust, but so far (at 96+) I've been administering myself all my assets and putting them into my trust. But good you brought it up as I may need someone to do it if I become incapacitated and I'll also find out if I still need a POA.

"You will have to trust but verify, as Mr. Reagan said."

I like this quote and will keep it where I see it often. :) However, I did have a few unpleasant experiences with different professionals. One is my present lawyer, but it was my fault for not vetting them sufficiently.

I admire your caregiving profession. You have to be an unselfish soul to do it. So I wish you the best and happiest life.

Also, I'm so grateful to you and all the others who answered my post with intelligent suggestions and advice. I'm ready to follow them all and wish you all the very best. :)
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