Elder Law
St. Louis Elder Law Attorneys
Elder law addresses the legal issues that arise as we age: paying for long-term care, protecting assets built over a lifetime, planning for cognitive decline, and guarding against abuse or financial exploitation. For more than 20 years, O’Gorman and Sandroni have helped St. Louis-area seniors and their families navigate these issues with a combination of legal planning and practical guidance.
Planning Before a Crisis
The best elder law planning happens before a health crisis forces rushed decisions. We help families put powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and asset protection strategies in place while a senior can still participate fully in the planning, reducing stress and preserving choice later.
Navigating Long-Term Care Costs
Nursing home and assisted living costs can quickly deplete a lifetime of savings. We help families understand Missouri Medicaid eligibility rules, structure assets to qualify for benefits when appropriate, and evaluate long-term care insurance and veterans’ benefits alongside Medicaid planning.
Protecting Against Abuse and Exploitation
Financial exploitation and neglect of older adults are unfortunately common, sometimes at the hands of family members or caregivers. We represent seniors and families in pursuing legal remedies against those who have abused a position of trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate planning primarily addresses what happens to your assets after death, while elder law also covers issues that arise during life, such as long-term care costs, Medicaid eligibility, guardianship, and protection from abuse or exploitation.
In many cases, yes. Missouri Medicaid rules include certain exemptions and planning strategies that may allow a family home to be protected, though the specifics depend on your situation and timing relative to when care is needed.
Document your concerns, report suspected exploitation to Missouri’s Adult Protective Services, and speak with an elder law attorney promptly, since financial accounts and legal authority documents may need to be secured quickly.
Since 1985 Sean O’Gorman and Andrew Sandroni have been representing clients in all areas of the law. O’Gorman & Sandroni, P.C. was founded in 1989 on the principles of honesty, integrity, and the aggressive pursuit of our client’s goals.