My office received a call from a family whose father was about to enter a nursing home. Understandably, they were distraught and had many questions. We spoke for a while and then scheduled a free one-hour meeting, confirmed by email. My colleague saw the email and encouraged me to share it, as it pretty well illustrates what we are all about. The names have been changed for privacy:
Jim, good talking with you this morning about your dad, Jim, Sr.’s condition, and your mom’s worries during this transitional time. There is a lot that I don’t want her to stress about right now, especially with your dad in and out of the hospital. Please tell her that we will put her mind at ease at our meeting tomorrow at 2001 S. Big Bend Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63117.
She can bring whatever documents she may have already collected, including the Power of Attorney. However, please tell her not to run around collecting more and to just get her rest after being in the hospital until midnight last night, so that we can have the best conversation possible tomorrow. We will see you and Betty (and any of your five brothers and sisters who want to come) tomorrow at my office at 9 a.m.
By the way, this one-hour meeting is free.
We will put your mom and siblings in the best position to make informed decisions. If you need us to do legal work later, we will be happy to do it, but here is your mom’s chance to ask all the questions she may have, at no charge. See you in the morning.
How many times have we heard stories about a long-scheduled meeting with a professional, not really understanding a word, feeling rushed and talked down to, wondering if this is really a solution, and then being presented with a bill? At our firm, you are family, so expect to be treated like one. You will find us a source of clarity and reassurance when you need us most.
But like a good brother or sister, we sometimes pose uncomfortable questions to those we love. Questions such as, “Can we afford to dance around the subject of Dad’s failing health, unknown estate plan, and iffy finances for one more year?” or “If Mom goes into the nursing home soon, will she lose everything?” or “If they won’t listen to us, who will they listen to?” If you get professional answers to these hard Elder Law questions now, not only can you save your family thousands in nursing home bills, estate, and probate costs, you will save them, and you, from a whole lot of stress.
The Holidays are a time of family gatherings. Have the talk you have been avoiding for a while, then come in to see us for a free one-hour, meeting. You will start the New Year with a clear mind and good options. I want your family to be the family that doesn’t have to say what I hear most, “I wish we would have talked about this a long time ago.”
Have the talk, then we will see you in the morning.
Make an appointment now with Martin so that you can have “The Talk” with your loved ones.