LEGAL PROTECTION FOR YOU AND THE PEOPLE YOU CARE FOR
Getting older often brings new legal questions—about long-term care, finances, and who can make decisions on your behalf. These issues can feel overwhelming, especially when a health crisis forces the conversation before a plan is in place.
Attorney Meghan Smith works with seniors and their families across Tolland, Connecticut to put the right protections in place before they’re needed. That means fewer surprises, less family conflict, and a clearer path forward for you and the people you love.
Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to a sudden change in a parent’s care needs, we’ll walk you through your options in plain language and help you choose the path that fits your family.
Services We Provide
Every family’s situation is different, but our elder law practice covers the issues that come up most often as clients and their loved ones age:
MEDICAID & LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING
Nursing home and long-term care costs can quickly drain a lifetime of savings. We help clients understand Connecticut's Medicaid eligibility rules and structure their assets so they can qualify for benefits while preserving as much of their estate as possible.
GUARDIANSHIP & CONSERVATORSHIP
When a loved one can no longer manage their own affairs and has no advance directives in place, a court-appointed conservatorship may be necessary. We guide families through the Connecticut probate court process and represent their interests at every hearing.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY & ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
Naming someone you trust to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf is one of the most important steps in elder law planning. We prepare durable powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and living wills that hold up when your family needs them most.
ELDER ABUSE & FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
Seniors are frequent targets of financial scams and exploitation, sometimes by people they trust. We help families identify warning signs, intervene legally, and pursue remedies when a loved one has been taken advantage of.
Answering Commonly Asked Elder Law Questions
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POWER OF ATTORNEY AND A CONSERVATORSHIP?
These serve similar purposes but work very differently:
Power of Attorney: A document you sign yourself, while you’re still able to, naming someone to act on your behalf.
Conservatorship: A court-ordered arrangement that becomes necessary only if you become incapacitated without a power of attorney already in place.
Note: Having a valid power of attorney in place is usually the simpler, less costly, and less invasive option—one more reason to plan ahead.
HOW DOES CONNECTICUT MEDICAID TREAT MY HOME AND SAVINGS?
Connecticut Medicaid sets limits on the countable assets and income an applicant can have to qualify for long-term care benefits. Certain assets, like your primary home in many cases, may be exempt depending on your circumstances. Because the rules involve look-back periods and exceptions, it’s worth reviewing your specific situation with an attorney before assuming what will or won’t count against you.
WHEN SHOULD MY FAMILY CONSIDER A CONSERVATORSHIP FOR A PARENT?
A conservatorship may be necessary when a parent can no longer safely manage their finances or personal care, and there’s no valid power of attorney or healthcare proxy already in place. It’s typically a last resort rather than a first step, since it involves a court process and ongoing oversight—so it’s worth discussing your parent’s specific situation before filing.
CAN I STILL CHANGE MY ESTATE PLAN AFTER A LOVED ONE MOVES INTO A NURSING HOME?
Yes, in most cases an estate plan can still be updated after a move into long-term care, as long as the person has the legal capacity to understand and approve the changes. Waiting too long can limit your options, so it’s best to review any planned changes with an attorney as soon as possible after the move.
DO I NEED AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY IF I ALREADY HAVE A WILL?
A will addresses what happens to your property after you pass away, but it doesn’t cover decisions that may need to be made while you’re still living, such as long-term care costs, incapacity, or Medicaid eligibility. An elder law attorney can review your existing will alongside these other concerns to make sure your overall plan holds up as your needs change.
GUIDANCE FROM AN ATTORNEY WHO KNOWS TOLLAND
Elder law calls for both legal precision and genuine patience—these are conversations about family, dignity, and independence, not just paperwork. Meghan Smith focuses her practice on elder law and related matters so she can stay current on the Medicaid rules, probate procedures, and planning strategies that affect Connecticut seniors.
Clients working with Meghan appreciate straightforward explanations, responsive communication, and advice built on real experience with Connecticut’s elder law system—not guesswork. Our goal is simple: help you and your family move forward with a plan you can trust.
START PLANNING FOR YOUR FAMILY'S FUTURE TODAY
Whether you’re putting a plan in place for yourself or helping an aging parent navigate long-term care, Attorney Meghan Smith is here to walk you through your options and the next steps.
Contact our Tolland office today to schedule a consultation and start protecting the people and the future you care about most.