Why Elder Law Matters
Our parents and loved ones are aging - and many of us are, too. Yet most families aren’t prepared for the legal and financial challenges that come with aging, long-term care, and incapacity.
Elder law is the body of law that addresses the unique legal, financial, and healthcare needs that arise as we age. It takes a holistic approach - combining legal tools with compassion - to support seniors and their families through complex emotional and logistical decisions.
Consider this:
- Americans over 85 are the fastest-growing age group in the U.S.
- Nearly 80 million baby boomers are entering retirement.
- A married couple has a 75% chance one spouse will need long-term care.
- Half of all couples become impoverished within a year of paying for that care out-of-pocket.
- And over two-thirds of Americans have no advance directive or legal plan in place.
Elder law helps you plan ahead - so you can protect your loved ones, your assets, and your peace of mind. Whether you're supporting an aging parent or preparing for your own future, we’re here to help you navigate the road ahead with confidence and care.
Let’s start the conversation.
Planning For Life’s What-Ifs
Why Families Choose Snyder for Elder Law
When a loved one can’t make decisions for themselves - due to illness, injury, or simply aging - things can get complicated fast. Without the right legal documents in place, families are often forced into long, expensive court proceedings just to step in and help.
That’s why we make this kind of planning simple, personal, and proactive.
At Snyder Law, we help you create the essential documents that ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are empowered to act on your behalf - without red tape or confusion. With offices from San Diego to Northern California, we offer the reach of a larger firm with the heart of a neighborhood advisor - wherever your family calls home.
We include:
- Financial Power of Attorney
Designates a trusted person to handle everyday finances, pay bills, manage investments, and make legal decisions if you're no longer able. We ensure it's robust enough to adapt to real-world needs - not just a boilerplate form. - Advance Health Care Directive & Living Will
Documents your medical preferences and names someone to speak for you if you're unable to communicate. It includes your end-of-life wishes - like whether you'd want to remain on life support - and ensures your values are respected. - HIPAA Authorization
Gives loved ones permission to speak with your doctors and receive updates about your condition. Without it, even close family members could be left in the dark during a medical crisis. - Emergency Card Access
Provides a quick way to access your critical legal and medical documents when they’re needed most - no digging through files or scrambling for paperwork during an emergency.
These aren’t just forms. They’re peace of mind.
Done right, they protect your privacy, prevent unnecessary court involvement, reduce family stress, and ensure the people you choose can speak and act for you - without delay or doubt.
We take the time to get it right, because we know what’s at stake. That’s the Snyder difference.
Let’s start the conversation.
Medi-Cal Planning That Protects What You’ve Built
Paying for long-term care can drain a lifetime of savings - but it doesn’t have to.
Many California seniors qualify for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program that helps cover the cost of in-home care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. But unlike Medicare, Medi-Cal is needs-based, which means qualifying requires careful planning and strict asset limits. That’s where we come in.
At Snyder Law, we help families navigate the Medi-Cal system with smart, legal strategies that allow your loved one to qualify - without losing everything they’ve worked for. Our planning can:
- Preserve family assets
- Speed up eligibility
- Reduce out-of-pocket care costs
- Avoid last-minute crises
With looming changes to California’s rules under the Deficit Reduction Act, now is the time to act. Once new laws are implemented, protecting assets while qualifying for care will become much harder.
We’ll work closely with you and your family to build a custom long-term care plan that secures your financial future and keeps your options open - because your loved one deserves care without compromise.
Let’s start the conversation.
Helping Veterans Access the Benefits They Deserve
If you or a loved one served during wartime - or are the surviving spouse of someone who did - you may be eligible for valuable VA benefits, including the VA Pension and Aid & Attendance Benefit.
This monthly, tax-free benefit can help pay for daily care needs - whether at home or in an assisted living facility. But many veterans and families miss out on it simply because they didn’t know it was available - or thought they had too many assets to qualify.
That’s where we can help.
At Snyder Law, we work with veterans and surviving spouses to:
- Confirm eligibility and service history
- Protect assets while meeting benefit requirements
- Complete and submit the right documents - without delays or confusion
You don’t have to go broke to get the help you’ve earned. Let us make the process easier, so you can focus on what matters most: care, dignity, and honoring your legacy of service.
Let’s start the conversation.
When Care Can’t Wait: Crisis Planning for Long-Term Care
It’s one of the hardest moments a family can face: a loved one suddenly needs nursing home care - and you're told you have too many assets to qualify for help.
This is what we call a Medi-Cal crisis - and it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
At Snyder Law, we help families in urgent situations qualify for Medi-Cal assistance without losing everything they’ve worked for. Even if you're already in a nursing home or have been told “no” in the past, we may be able to help.
Our attorneys know how to navigate Medi-Cal’s complex rules and apply legal tools that protect your savings while securing the care your loved one needs.
What About Long-Term Care Insurance?
If you're healthy and able to afford it, long-term care insurance can be a smart part of your plan - covering the gap before Medi-Cal kicks in or helping you stay at home longer.
We can help you evaluate your options and design a plan that fits your needs - because denial isn’t a strategy, and peace of mind starts with preparation.