Elder law and estate plans

By Patricia Nugent

When it comes to practicing elder law and estate planning, a little bit of empathy goes a long way.

Over the past 20-plus years of helping clients put their final wishes in order, Attorney Margaret T. Karl has built a reserve of empathy and emotional intelligence to foster trust throughout what can be a stressful and overwhelming undertaking.

“When I earned my law degree, it was a natural fit for me to branch into elder law,” she says. “Since my father married later in life, at a younger age than most people I had to help my mother deal with the complicated issues of having a senior parent.”

Over the years, Margie’s clients have trusted her experience and also used her as a resource for managing the options available to them.

“No one likes to be ‘talked at’ when it comes to planning for senior care,” she says. “I’ve always made a point to practice empathy and take the time to explain the bottom line of estate planning. I put myself in others’ shoes better than most people.”

She says clients often seek her advice about other aspects of senior planning, such as recommending the top assisted living facilities in the area, and she doesn’t mind giving it to them.

“When people seem overwhelmed with the peripherals, I can help them with a basic checklist of what they should be doing and when they should be doing it,” she says. “Getting to know each client, I can customize the best-fit plan to fit their unique needs. Running my practice and helping people face complex decisions regarding health care, financial security, family relationships and end-of-life issues is something I find very rewarding.”

Margaret T. Karl, Attorney at Law, is located at 25800 North Depot Street, Suite 102, in Olmsted Falls. Call 440-782-5051 or visit OlmstedOhioLaw.com.