Elder Law & Nursing Home Abuse

As we age, legal concerns become more complex — Medicaid planning, long-term care decisions, powers of attorney, guardianship, and unfortunately sometimes abuse or neglect by caregivers and facilities. Elder law blends estate planning, healthcare, public benefits, and civil rights into a practice focused on protecting the dignity and security of older adults.

At Smith & Associates, we counsel seniors and their families on planning tools that preserve independence while protecting assets — including Medicaid planning, VA benefits for wartime veterans, and long-term care insurance questions. We prepare durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and advance care plans tailored to each family's situation.

When abuse or neglect occurs, we pursue civil claims against nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care agencies, and individual perpetrators. Cases we handle include pressure ulcers and bedsores, falls and fractures, malnutrition and dehydration, medication errors, physical and emotional abuse, and financial exploitation. Wisconsin has specific protections for vulnerable adults under Wis. Stat. Ch. 46 and Ch. 55, and we know how to use them.