What Is Elder Law? A Guide to Protecting Aging Loved Ones in Texas

•April 23, 2025

What Is Elder Law?

As our loved ones age, legal and financial questions often arise that we never expected to face. From managing healthcare decisions to protecting assets and ensuring long-term care, navigating the legal landscape around aging can be overwhelming. That’s where elder law comes in.

At Philip Meyer PLLC - Attorney at Law, we work with families across Texas to help them understand their options and make informed decisions. This guide breaks down what elder law covers, why it matters, and how you can use it to protect the people you care about most.

What Is Elder Law?

Elder law is a specialized area of legal practice focused on the unique needs of older adults and their families. It brings together multiple legal areas—including estate planning, healthcare, housing, and financial protection—to support seniors as they age.

In Texas, elder law often includes:

Estate PlanningCreating wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure your loved one’s wishes are honored. We guide our clients through our comprehensive estate planning and probate services to ensure their assets and wishes are secure.
Medicaid & Long-Term Care PlanningHelping families qualify for benefits without losing everything they’ve worked for.
Guardianship Establishing legal decision-makers for individuals who can no longer manage their own affairs.
Elder Abuse ProtectionAddressing financial exploitation, neglect, or physical harm.
Healthcare DirectivesLegal tools to guide medical care if your loved one becomes unable to communicate.

Why Elder Law Matters More Than Ever in Texas

Texas is home to one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the country. With longer life expectancies and rising healthcare costs, families are facing tough choices around aging, often without a clear legal plan in place.

Without proactive planning, families may run into:

Unplanned nursing home costs that drain life savings
Family disputes over finances or care decisions
Delays in getting help due to lack of legal authority (like not having power of attorney)
Increased risk of scams or financial exploitation targeting vulnerable seniors

Elder law is about staying one step ahead of these challenges—and making sure your loved ones are cared for with dignity.

Real-Life Example: Avoiding a Guardianship Crisis

Let’s say your aging mother begins to show signs of cognitive decline. She hasn’t named a power of attorney, and suddenly she needs help managing her finances. Without the proper legal documents in place, you may be forced to go through an expensive and time-consuming guardianship process just to assist her.

Now imagine that same scenario with a plan in place: she has a durable power of attorney and a healthcare directive. You can step in immediately, make decisions that align with her wishes, and avoid the court system altogether.

This is the kind of peace of mind elder law planning can offer.

How Philip Meyer PLLC Can Help

We help families throughout Texas prepare for the legal and financial realities of aging. Whether you need to update an existing plan, apply for Medicaid, or protect a loved one from financial abuse, we can guide you every step of the way.

Our elder law services include:

Wills and trusts
Powers of attorney and healthcare directives
Medicaid and long-term care planning
Guardianship representation
Asset protection strategies

Take the First Step Today

If you’re starting to think about the future for yourself or an aging parent, now is the time to act. Waiting until a crisis hits can leave your family scrambling.

Contact Philip Meyer PLLC – Attorney at Law today to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll create a plan that gives you clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Disclaimer:

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Philip Meyer, PLLC. If you need legal advice specific to your situation, we encourage you to reach out to Philip Meyer PLLC – Attorney at Law—a Texas-based law firm.