Five Emerging Elder Law Trends:
✅ Tech-Enhanced Estate Planning
From secure digital document storage to AI-assisted legal tools, technology is making estate planning more efficient and accessible. Clients now have 24/7 encrypted access to their documents, ensuring
they’re ready in case of emergencies.
🏥 Long-Term Care Planning on the Rise
With rising healthcare costs and concerns about Medicaid eligibility, many families are taking proactive steps to protect their assets while ensuring access
to quality long-term care.
🔒 Trusts for Asset Protection
Various types of trusts, including Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts and Special Needs Trusts, are becoming go-to solutions for shielding assets from creditors, managing taxes,
and maintaining estate privacy.
⚖️ Guardianship Alternatives Preferred
New laws encourage alternatives like powers of attorney and advance directives, giving individuals more control over their future and reducing the likelihood of
court-appointed guardianship.
💻 Planning for Digital Assets
Digital assets such as online accounts, cryptocurrency, and NFTs are now part of the estate planning conversation. North Carolina’s updated laws allow fiduciaries to manage
these assets, preventing them from being lost or inaccessible.
