Compassionate, personalized legal services and advocacy for seniors and their families.

Contact Elder Law Attorney Kate Curler today! Email: curlerlaw@gmail.comWhen facing the challenges of aging, there are many questions people have:  

Who will make my medical and financial decisions if I can't? Do I have a valid Power of Attorney document or do I need a guardian?  What is the guardianship process?

Can I be cared for at home and avoid a nursing home? How do I choose the best nursing home? How do I know if a nursing home contract protects my rights?

Who will fight for me at the hospital or nursing home so I get the best care?

Who will draft a will or trust for me so I'm sure my assets go to my heirs? 

What will I do if my loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home and I cannot get the facility to make changes or take responsibility? 

Who will walk us through the process of probate? 

These questions add stress to already stressful situations.  As an attorney with a focus on elder law, guardianship, estate planning and probate, I focus my practice on working with seniors, the disabled and their families.

From my personal experience as an only child of aging parents, I realized there was a huge need for an attorney who goes beyond the drafting of legal documents and aggressively advocates for her clients to get the best medical care and to be treated with dignity and compassion.  A big part of my practice is making sure my clients receive the best medical care and have every opportunity to live independently and with dignity.  Just one phone call to the Law Office of Kate Curler can lead to information, resources and services to make sure your loved ones receive the best care and the best chance to life a full, active life.    

I take a personalized approach to each case and take time to become familiar with my clients and their families, oftentimes meeting with them at nursing homes and hospitals, on short-notice and during flexible hours. 

I am dedicated to offering excellent, cost-effective legal services, in plain language, with a personalized touch.

My practice is focused in the following areas: 

PATIENT ADVOCACY

When someone is in the hospital, a rehabilitation center, a nursing home or is negotiating with an insurance company, they need a strong advocate. Patients and families members need clear direction regarding the diagnosis of a loved-one, respectful, safe medical care, effective rehabilitation and a discussion of all options for returning home.  The presence of a strong advocate with the family sends a message to nursing home personnel about the importance of making sure my clients receive the best care.  To offer personalized service, the Law Office of Kate Curler meets with clients and their family members at the hospital, nursing home or other medical care facility to talk about options, review records and help families navigate the oftentimes confusing and frustrating healthcare system.  

ADULT GUARDIANSHIP

As some people age or as the result of a disability, they lose the ability to make personal decisions regarding their health or finances. Sometimes, a guardianship of a disabled person is appropriate. Taking steps to become a guardian is often a difficult and emotional decision. The Law Office of Kate Curler works with families to guide them through this complicated process in the easiest, most cost-effective and dignified way possible. 

NURSING HOME NEGOTIATIONS

An illness followed by a sudden discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation facility can be a stressful time for seniors and their families. Family caretakers often have only a short time to tour nursing homes, review placement contracts and make financial decisions.  Too often, nursing home contracts include illegal or unfair provisions. The Law Office of Kate Curler will meet with you or your family, on short-notice and during flexible hours, to assist with decisions, review paperwork, set clear guidelines for rehabilitation and options to return home and, if necessary, help with Medicaid Planning to preserve assets for a healthy spouse and future generations.

ESTATE PLANNING

Establishing an estate plan is an important step to provide for your family and loved ones and to pass on your assets at the end of life.  It is also a valuable tool to insure someone you trust speaks for you to make your medical decisions and handle your finances, if you cannot.  

Estate plans can include power of attorney documents, wills and trusts.

Power of Attorney documents are a vital part of any estate plan.  These documents allow your designated, trusted agent to make financial and health related decisions for you, if you are unable to make them for yourself whether temporarily or on a permanent basis.  These are very cost efficient documents that can protect you from financial abuse and reduce the stress upon loved ones if they have to make decisions regarding your case.  

ELDER LAW: BENEFIT PROGRAMS

As people get older, they face a unique set of health and legal challenges.  Seniors often need assistance navigating the confusing systems of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veteran's benefits.  

With knowledge of benefit programs, independent living communities, assisted living communities, nursing homes and Long Term Care Insurance providers, The Law Office of Kate Curler works with families to find a plan which meets their needs with the maximum amount of financial independence and home-based care as possible.

PROBATE

Probate is the process by which the court accounts for the estate of someone who has passed away, pays off debts, settles claims and distributes assets to those left behind. If you are named the executor of an estate, The Law Office of Kate Curler will work with you to navigate the complicated process of probate in the simplest, most cost-effective way possible.