Ari N. Sommer, Esq.

Introduction: In addition to serving the full slate of traditional estate planning goals (e.g. making a will to say what happens to my stuff when I die; naming a person to help me with my finances using a Power of Attorney, etc), my practice has as a particular focus protecting families and assets from extraordinary expenses associated with long term care. This includes pre-planning to protect assets from long nursing home stays and crisis planning when a person is already in a nursing home, or about to need such care. I am also accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and their families in understanding and accessing their benefits. My practice makes a particular effort to assist wartime veterans and their spouses in obtaining what is called "Improved Pension" or "Death Pension," which can help a person when they need the "aid and attendance" of another to supplement their care. We're not a society that talks frankly about the costs associated with aging and having increased care needs. People come to me concerned that they could lose everything if they or their spouse becomes ill. Sometimes a person's adult child will come to me for advice on how to help "dad" access the care they need, while still leaving something for "mom," who is relatively healthy and able to live independently. My job is most fulfilling when I can see the strain and anxiety that these concerns create start to lift as people learn that there are options. My best days are when we help someone obtain a VA pension benefit, or a Medicaid application is approved, and a spouse or child can worry a little less about the finances, and just focus on the emotional and other needs of their loved one.