Planning for aging is about more than medical care—it’s about preserving dignity, protecting assets, and ensuring peace of mind. At Schaffer Herring PLLC, our Tulsa elder law attorneys help individuals and families navigate the legal and financial challenges that come with aging and long-term care.
We work with clients across Northeast Oklahoma to create plans that support independence, manage costs, and provide legal protection for the future.
What Is Elder Law?
Elder law focuses on the legal issues that affect older adults and their families. It includes long-term care planning, guardianships, Medicaid eligibility, estate planning updates, and decision-making authority in the event of incapacity.
Our attorneys help you prepare for these transitions with clarity and compassion.
Long-Term Care Planning
Paying for long-term care—whether at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home—can be one of the biggest financial challenges families face. We help you:
- Understand care options and associated costs
- Plan ahead to preserve assets
- Explore long-term care insurance options
- Protect your home and savings from nursing home costs
We tailor every plan to your family’s goals, resources, and timeline.
Medicaid Planning in Oklahoma
Medicaid can help cover long-term care costs, but eligibility rules are complex. Our attorneys guide you through:
- Qualifying for Medicaid without spending down all assets
- Legally transferring or shielding certain resources
- Avoiding penalties related to gifting or transfers
- Filing or appealing Medicaid applications
Early planning often allows for more options and better outcomes.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
If a loved one becomes unable to manage their affairs, you may need to seek guardianship or conservatorship. We assist with:
- Establishing legal authority to act on behalf of an incapacitated adult
- Petitioning the court for guardianship when needed
- Creating less restrictive alternatives (such as durable powers of attorney)
Our goal is to protect vulnerable individuals while preserving as much independence as possible.
Final Arrangements and End-of-Life Planning
We help clients make legally binding decisions about:
- Funeral and burial preferences
- Advance healthcare directives
- Durable medical powers of attorney
- Ethical wills or legacy statements
Clear planning reduces stress on family members and ensures your wishes are followed.
Talk to a Tulsa Elder Law Attorney Today
Aging brings new legal and financial concerns—but you don’t have to navigate them alone. At Schaffer Herring PLLC, we help you prepare for the future with practical, respectful legal support.
Contact us today to speak with an elder law attorney in Tulsa.
Contact the attorneys at Schaffer Herring PLLC today to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
An elder law attorney helps older adults and their families plan for long-term care, manage assets, qualify for Medicaid, and handle legal matters related to aging, including guardianships and end-of-life decisions.
We help clients explore care options, understand costs, and create strategies to protect assets. Planning ahead can allow you to preserve your home and savings while ensuring access to needed care.
Yes, but Medicaid has strict rules. With proper planning—such as asset transfers, irrevocable trusts, or spousal protections—you may qualify without spending down everything. Early planning gives you more flexibility.
There is a 5-year look-back period for asset transfers when applying for long-term care Medicaid. Transfers made within this period can result in penalties or delayed eligibility.
Ideally, you should start in your 50s or 60s—before care is needed. However, even after a diagnosis or hospitalization, we can often help families develop legal and financial strategies.
If you have more questions about estate planning, we’ve answered many of them on our Estate Planning FAQs page. You’ll find detailed information about wills, trusts, probate avoidance, and more.