an attorney who can help disabled elderly person with stay of execution

by Annamarie Dietrich 9 min read

What does an elder law attorney do?

They can record a homestead under Section 3 of the new law, which protects up to $500,000 in equity. They can record a homestead under Section 2 of the new law. A Section 2 homestead is available only to homeowners who are disabled or age 62 or older. It protects the principal residence from “attachment, seizure or execution of judgment.”.

Where can I get legal help for a senior with disability?

File and deliver the Motion to Stay Execution 1. Make 2 copies each of your completed Motion to Stay Execution and Housing Search Log 2. Call the clerk’s office. Tell the clerk you need to have a hearing right away before the sheriff moves you out. Ask the clerk: 1. "Who should fill in the hearing date on my Motion to Stay Execution? " And, 2.

How do I find a good Elder lawyer?

Enter zip code and click “Search”. In the drop down menu, select “Legal Services”. To speak with someone at Eldercare Locator, call 1-800-677-1116. Find your local Area Agency on Aging. 3. Pro Bono programs. Pro bono programs match low-income people with volunteer lawyers who agree to take their cases for free.

Who is a disabled person under the disability law?

Sep 19, 2017 · An elder law attorney can provide assistance in making a plan in case you become disabled. Our legal team can also provide assistance in helping you to create a plan if someone you love is disabled and you want to ensure his care or make a financial gift. Understanding the laws that affect people with disabilities is very important, in part because the chances of …

How do I get a stay of execution in Massachusetts?

When a tenant is evicted for reasons that were not the tenant's fault, a judge may grant a stay of execution for up to 6 months to give a tenant time to find a new place to live, or for other reasons. If the tenant is disabled or over 60, the stay can be up to to 12 months.

Can you evict a disabled person in PA?

In general, it's illegal for landlords to discriminate by denying you housing based on your disability, or any benefits or facilities included with that housing, under the FHA.Jan 15, 2021

Can you evict a disabled person in California?

Eviction of Disabled Persons in California A disabled person is not immune from eviction in California. A disabled person cannot be evicted for a matter relating to her disability, like keeping a service animal, installing a ramp or undertaking other reasonable accommodations necessary for her disability.Nov 11, 2019

How long does the eviction process take in Massachusetts?

The above are some of the many factors that help answer how long an eviction in Massachusetts take. Generally, an uncontested eviction will take between one to two months. A contested eviction, with requests for discovery and a jury trial, can take anywhere from three to six months.Jul 26, 2017

Can you kick someone out of your house if they are not on the lease?

If your roommate ignores your notice and remains in the rental, you might have to file an eviction lawsuit. In general, the procedures for evicting a resident who isn't a party to the lease or rental agreement will be the same as those for official tenants, but your state or local laws might be an exception.

Can a landlord evict you if there is no lease?

If there is no lease, either written or oral, a landlord still can evict you. This is because the lack of a lease means that you are in a month-to-month tenancy at will and must pay rent on a monthly basis, or more frequently if you have an agreement to that effect.Oct 18, 2021

Can a senior citizen be evicted in California?

Evicting Elderly Tenants States like California has laws to protect the elderly tenants. If you decide to evict an elderly tenant, check with your attorney first to ensure that you are well within your rights. You will need to prove to the court that you tried your best to help the elderly tenant.Aug 1, 2017

What is the Ellis Act in California?

The Ellis Act is found in California Government Code Section 7060, et seq. It was enacted by the California legislature in 1986 to require municipalities to allow property owners to go out of the residential rental housing business.

What is the disability justice movement?

The disability justice movement seeks to spread awareness on how ableism is much more complex than people struggling with a disability [ies].

How do I evict a squatter in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts does not have a process in place specifically for removing squatters, so the property owner must follow the procedure for evicting tenants through the civil courts. Generally to evict a squatter, the landlord will serve a 14-day “Pay or Quit” notice demanding back rent from the squatter.Oct 19, 2019

Can you be evicted in Massachusetts right now?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evictions is no longer in effect as of August 26, 2021 as the result of a United States Supreme Court opinion. Certain protections in non-payment eviction cases remain in effect in Massachusetts. See St. 2020, c.

Can you evict a tenant without a lease Massachusetts?

Tenants without Leases. If you do not have a lease and are a tenant at will, a landlord does not have to state any reason for wanting to evict you. Until individual cities or the state changes the law, no fault evictions, where a landlord is evicting a tenant who has done nothing wrong, are lawful in Massachusetts.

What is the number to call for elder care?

They’ll be able to connect you to local organizations that provide free and low-cost legal help for seniors. To speak with someone at Eldercare Locator, call 1-800-677-1116. 3.

What is a legal hotline?

A legal hotline allows seniors to ask legal questions over the phone. If the question can’t be answered over the phone, the hotline can also help you find the necessary legal aid services in your area. Find senior legal hotline programs. 5.

What is the job of a caregiver?

As a caregiver, part of the job is to help your older adult take care of legal matters and make sure important documents are complete and up-to-date. That could include setting up an estate plan or making sure that essential legal documents like a living will and power of attorney are in place.

How an Elder Law Attorney Helps You Make a Disability Plan

If you have a disabled loved one, your disability plan will vary depending upon whether you simply want to make a financial gift or whether you are in charge of the disabled person’s care. If you want to make a financial gift, you will need to structure the gift so you don’t cause a loss of access to means-tested benefits like Medicaid.

Getting Help from an Elder Law Attorney

An elder law attorney at Zimmer Law Firm will carefully evaluate your situation, whether you are concerned about your own disability or working to protect and provide for a disabled person you care about.

How long does a landlord have to serve a summons?

The landlord may have the complaint served on any day of the week and may have it returnable six days thereafter.

What is considered good cause?

Good cause is defined as: 1. nonpayment of rent; 2. refusal to agree to a fair and equitable rent increase; 3. material noncompliance with tenants'statutory responsibilities concerning such things as the condition of the apartment, trash removal, and conducting themselves so as not to disturb their neighbors or be a nuisance ...

What is illegal conduct?

An assault on a landlord or other tenant; use of the leased premises for gambling, prostitution, or to sell drugs; or other illegal conduct is a ground for eviction.

What is the grace period for eviction?

1. Nonpayment of Rent. If a tenant does not pay his rent, the landlord may evict him after a three-day grace period or before the time specified in the notice to quit.

What happens if a tenant does not appear in court?

If the tenant does not file an appearance, the landlord may file (a) a motion for judgment for failure to appear and (b) an endorsed copy of the notice to quit with the court clerk.

What are the duties of a tenant?

Basically, these are to refrain from creating a nuisance or defacing the premises, to obey the health and fire codes, and to keep the premises clean and safe. Failure to perform these duties is a ground for eviction.

What happens if a disabled person is taken to court?

If a disabled tenant lives in public subsidized housing and is taken to court for eviction, courts have a legal obligation under federal law to take mitigating circumstances into consideration before evicting him . Public housing authorities must show discretion by taking into consideration the nature of the tenant’s disability, even if the tenant’s actions may ordinarily result in proper termination of tenancy.

What is the Fair Housing Amendment Act?

If you're a disabled renter or you know of a disabled person who is being threatened by a landlord who is using their disability against him , the federal Fair Housing Amendment Act offers protection. The federal law considers mobility, hearing or visual impairments to be disabilities protected from rental housing discrimination. In addition, the Act considers a tenant who has a chronic alcoholism problem or who suffers from mental illness or a mental impairment to be disabled. Therefore, their tenancies are protected from a landlord’s potential discriminatory eviction action.

Can a landlord evict a disabled tenant?

Landlords cannot evict a disabled tenant from his home or apartment because the cost of modifying the home to accommodate the disability is "too much.". Landlords have to make reasonable modifications to the living space to insure that it is safe and comfortable for the disabled tenant. "Reasonable" is the key word.

Can a tenant raise his disability?

The judge should ascertain not only the nature of the disability, but whether the tenant’s due process rights have been violated by the eviction action. If there is no consideration for his disability or a reasonable accommodation or compromise was not made, it is a violation of the FHAA.

Is a tenant protected from eviction?

Therefore, their tenancies are protected from a landlord’s potential discriminatory eviction action.

What can an elder law attorney do?

An elder law attorney can help determine whether you are eligible for either program, discuss strategies for spending, advise whether it is in your best interest to apply, and help with the application process. Medicaid may be able to serve as a partial funding mechanism even if you have significant resources available.

What is elder law?

Elder law incorporates elements of financial and estate planning, but it also considers a broader perspective such as medical concerns and other issues facing older adults. Estate planning deals primarily with financial planning for persons of any age and protecting assets when an individual passes away.

What is a caregiver in a long term care facility?

Long-term care facilities also provide care and assistance with the activities of daily living, but the staff is present during the night to respond to issues more quickly.

When does a POA become effective?

The POA can be effective as soon as you sign it or be a “springing” POA in which the rights of a durable POA do not lock into effect until certain requirements are met, such as specific medical diagnoses.

What is a POA?

A power of attorney (POA) allows you to nominate another person, called an agent, to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf. In some states, these are separated into a financial POA and a medical POA. You remain in control of who acts on your behalf and what actions your agents can take for you.

What happens when you cross all the I's and T's on a will?

When a person passes, even if all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed on wills, there are still more legal affairs that need to be tended to; this is the probate process.

Is long term care insurance good?

Long-term care insurance that can cover care expenses later may have premiums of thousands of dollars per year, and it needs to be purchased when you’re healthy.

What is POA in elder law?

A reputable elder law attorney can discuss your desires and concerns and devise POA documents that clearly explain the extent of powers you want your agent (s) to have and any limitations they must abide by. ...

How to file a POA?

What a Financial POA Can Do: 1 Access the principal’s financial accounts to pay for health care, housing needs and other bills. 2 File taxes on behalf of the principal. 3 Make investment decisions on behalf of the principal. 4 Collect the principal’s debts. 5 Manage the principal’s property. 6 Apply for public benefits for the principal, such as Medicaid, veterans benefits, etc.

Why is POA important?

According to geriatric care manager and certified elder law attorney, Buckley Anne Kuhn-Fricker, JD, this provision is important because it gives a principal the flexibility to decide how involved they want their agent to be while they are still in possession of their faculties. For example, a financial agent could handle the day-to-day tasks of paying bills and buying food, while the principal continues to make their own investment and major purchasing decisions.

What is POA document?

POA documents allow a person (the principal) to decide in advance whom they trust and want to act on their behalf should they become incapable of making decisions for themselves. The person who acts on behalf of the principal is called the agent. From there, it is important to distinguish between the two main types of POA: medical and financial. ...

What is a POA in medical terms?

A medical POA (also known as health care POA) gives a trustworthy friend or family member (the agent) the ability to make decisions about the care the principal receives if they are incapacitated. A financial POA gives an agent the ability to make financial decisions on behalf of the principal. It is common to appoint one person to act as an agent ...

What medical care does a principal receive?

What medical care the principal receives, including hospital care, surgery, psychiatric treatment, home health care , etc. (These choices are dependent on the financial means of the principal and the approval of their financial agent.) Which doctors and care providers the principal uses. Where the principal lives.

What is the POA Act?

The Uniform POA Act. Each state has statutes that govern how power of attorney documents are written and interpreted. This can complicate matters when a principal decides what powers to give to their agent and when an agent tries to determine what actions are legally within their power.

How many witnesses do you need to sign a document?

Depending on the state, you may need one or two witnesses. If the signer wishes to use a signature by mark, make sure to follow your state’s requirements about the procedures. For example, California requires two witnesses be present if a signer wishes to make a signature by mark. In California, the witnesses to a signature by mark do not need ...

How to notarize a name?

Updated 9-1-20. If you're asked to notarize for someone unable to sign their name due to a physical condition, don't panic. Some states provide alternatives when notarizing for a physically impaired signer, including: 1 Powers of attorney 2 Representative signers 3 Signatures by mark 4 Having someone else sign at the impaired person’s direction

What is a signature by mark?

If the impaired signer is alert, coherent and appears willing to sign, another option may be for the person to sign documents with an 'X' or similar mark unassisted in lieu of a signature. This is called " signature by mark ," which many states permit. For a signature by mark, the signer does not have to write out a full name.