Hickory Elder and Special Needs Law Attorney | Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP

Elder law is a broad practice area dedicated to meeting the legal needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. It covers not only estate planning but also the financial, health care, and day-to-day concerns that arise later in life. At Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP, we work with families in North Carolina to prepare for these challenges and protect loved ones.

If you or someone close to you has questions about long-term care, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, or guardianship, our team is here to help.

How Elder Law Differs From Estate Planning

Estate planning focuses primarily on what happens after you pass away. A traditional estate plan includes documents like a will, trust, and powers of attorney. These tools are designed to transfer property smoothly, reduce taxes, and make sure your wishes are carried out.

Elder law focuses primarily on the unique issues that seniors, disabled adults, and their families may face while they are still living, often in complex circumstances involving health care and public benefits. For example:

Estate Planning ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes in the most efficient and tax-advantaged way.
Elder Law protects your quality of life by planning for long-term care, qualifying for Medicaid, and ensuring that disability benefits are preserved.

Both areas are important, but elder law views issues through a different lens, providing an additional layer of protection that becomes more valuable as families deal with aging, illness, or disability.

How Elder Law Attorneys Protect Your Family

Many families question whether an elder law attorney is truly necessary or if a basic estate plan will suffice. The reality is that Medicaid applications, special needs trusts, and guardianship proceedings all come with strict rules and detailed requirements. A single misstep can delay approvals or jeopardize benefits. By working with attorneys who understand these procedures, you can move forward with confidence knowing your family’s interests are protected.

Here’s what you gain when you invest in elder law counsel:

Asset Protection: We help structure finances so you can qualify for Medicaid without putting your home, savings, or retirement funds at risk.
Clear Guidance: Programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have complex eligibility rules. We explain what applies to your family so you can make informed decisions.
Customized Planning: Every family is different. We take the time to understand your goals and design a strategy that supports both your loved one in need and the rest of the family.

The cost of working with an elder law attorney is often far less than the financial and emotional toll of losing benefits or assets because of preventable mistakes.

Medicaid Planning for Long-Term Care

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that assists low-income individuals with long-term health care needs. Applying is complicated, and eligibility depends on strict income and asset rules. With careful planning, we help families qualify while still protecting assets for a spouse and children.

Ways we assist with Medicaid planning include:

Gathering and organizing required documents
Preparing and submitting applications
Implementing strategies to protect homes and real estate
Establishing Medicaid-compliant trusts
Planning for ongoing care costs

Special Needs Trusts

Leaving money or property to someone with a disability requires careful planning. Without the right structure, those assets can cause a loss of government benefits. A special needs trust allows you to provide financial support to your loved one while preserving their eligibility for programs like Medicaid or SSI.

We assist families in setting up third-party special needs trusts for children or relatives, as well as self-settled trusts for disabled individuals who receive inheritances, settlements, or other funds.

Guardianship and Incompetency Proceedings

If a loved one can no longer manage their own personal or financial affairs, a guardianship may be necessary. We guide families through the process of petitioning the court, presenting medical and psychological evidence, and advocating for an appropriate guardian.

Our role includes:

Filing petitions and representing you in hearings
Presenting necessary evidence and witness testimony
Explaining the scope of duties a guardian may have
Guiding you through the ongoing administration of the guardianship estate

Why Choose Us

At Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP, we know that elder law and special needs planning touch every part of your family’s well-being. Families across North Carolina turn to us because:

We bring decades of combined experience in both estate planning and elder law.
We take time to understand your family’s unique circumstances and goals.
We offer clear, practical advice so you can make confident decisions.
We are committed to protecting assets while ensuring your loved ones receive the care and support they need.

Our focus is on providing thoughtful solutions that give you peace of mind today and security for the future.

Protecting Your Family’s Future

Elder law and special needs planning are about preserving dignity, protecting assets, and making sure loved ones receive proper care. At Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP, we bring experience and compassion to these sensitive matters.