Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The Law Office for Older Persons & Their Families

Jan L. Brown & Associates, Attorneys-at-Law, provides professional, timely legal advice in the areas of estate planning and elder law.

Explore Our Practice Areas
  • Practice limited to Estate Planning & Probate and Elder Law
  • Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Referrals welcome — call (717) 541-5550
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Estate Planning & Probate

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Tax Planning
  • Special Needs Trusts
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Elder Law

  • Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Costs
  • Qualifying for Benefits
  • Planning for Incapacity

Our commitment is to expertise in the complicated and complex areas of law that affect older persons and the families who care for them. Read more about our practice areas.

Our Mission

Our goal is to provide excellent legal advice and services to seniors and their families in a professional and timely manner.

Contact the Office

Estate planning is a careful process of organizing wishes, family circumstances, and financial resources so that a person’s legacy can be protected. Wills, trusts, and related documents can help clarify decisions that may otherwise be left to chance. Because the law surrounding these tools changes and often intersects with tax considerations, thoughtful guidance is essential. A law office focused on estate planning can help clients approach these decisions with greater confidence and continuity.

Probate matters involve the legal process of settling an estate after a loved one passes. The experience can require careful administration of assets, attention to documents, and coordination with courts and interested parties. While some estates may proceed with limited court involvement, others involve questions of heirs, guardianship, or asset management. Clear communication and an orderly process can make this difficult period more manageable for families already grieving.

Trusts can serve many purposes, including holding assets for beneficiaries, supporting long-term care goals, or providing for a person with special needs. Special needs trusts, in particular, require close attention to how benefits and government programs may be affected. Properly structured, a trust may offer flexibility that a will alone cannot. Planning should begin with a clear understanding of a client’s circumstances, priorities, and the obligations of anyone who may serve as a trustee.

Elder law focuses on the legal concerns that often arise as people grow older, including questions of capacity, guardianship, long-term care, and financial protection. Families frequently face complicated choices during times of illness or declining health. Having access to a restricted practice focused on elder law can provide reassurance that the issues are being considered with appropriate knowledge and sensitivity. The goal is to protect dignity while helping clients and families prepare for changing needs.

Protecting assets from nursing home costs is an important concern for many older adults and the relatives who support them. Eligibility for certain benefits, asset protections, and care options can depend on details that are easy to overlook. Early planning often provides more choice than decisions made after a crisis has begun. A careful review of financial and care arrangements can help clarify what steps may be appropriate and how they might fit into a broader estate plan.

Qualifying for benefits related to long-term care, disability, or other support programs may require accurate information and attention to timing. Rules can involve complex connections between personal assets, family resources, and existing legal documents. The law office for older persons and their families emphasizes professional, timely advice in these areas. Understanding the available framework beforehand can reduce confusion and help families make informed decisions about care and financial planning.

Special needs planning requires an especially thoughtful approach because legal and public benefits must often work together. A trust designed for a disabled individual must reflect the person’s abilities, support system, and benefit needs, as well as the responsibilities of a trustee. Done well, this planning can help provide stability while preserving access to necessary assistance. Such arrangements are best discussed with counsel familiar with the intersection of estate planning, elder law, and public programs.

Tax planning is another layer of estate planning that deserves attention, particularly when families hold significant assets or anticipate particular transitions. Decisions about transfers, trusts, and the distribution of property may have lasting consequences. Because tax considerations can change and may involve nuanced federal or state rules, personalized advice is more useful than general information. A focused legal review can help clients understand how their planning choices may align with their broader goals.

A legal practice limited to estate planning, probate, and elder law offers depth in a field defined by technical and frequently changing rules. Clients benefit from advice grounded in current knowledge and shaped by personal circumstances, whether they are preparing a will, creating a trust, navigating probate, or responding to a loved one’s changing needs. The mission of providing excellent legal services with timeliness and care reflects a commitment to professionalism, sound judgment, and lasting client relationships.

A focused practice for older persons and their families

Jan L. Brown & Associates, Attorneys-at-Law, is the law office for older persons and their families. The practice is limited to Estate Planning & Probate and Elder Law, so the advice you receive comes from a firm devoted to these fields.

The firm is composed of Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. For referrals, please call (717) 541-5550.

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Jan L. Brown & Associates, Attorneys-at-Law 845 Sir Thomas Court, Harrisburg, PA 17109

Talk with our office

Referrals are welcome, and inquiries may be made by phone or email. Complete the contact form and we will follow up.

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