Throughout Oklahoma City, OK, people of all ages turn to Parman & Easterday for help planning their futures. Our legal team provides legal assistance to people young and old who want help with making plans to grow their wealth, protect their assets, and leave a legacy. Our legal team is here for you if your loved one passes away, and we are here to help you plan ahead in case of incapacity. We assist with all end-of-life issues and we work with our clients to make the best use of the legal tools that make caring for your loved ones possible, even if you are gone.
If you live in or around the Oklahoma City area and you need help with some of the most personal and important issues that can affect your future, from choosing a guardian for your children to making your comprehensive incapacity plan or estate plan, we are here for you. Give us a call to find out more about how our Oklahoma City estate planning and elder law attorneys can help you.
Life in Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City is the capital of the state of Oklahoma and is the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. In terms of population, Oklahoma City is the 27th largest city in the entire United States. More than 631,000 people called Oklahoma City home as of the most recent census, while the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area was home to over 1.3 million people.
Oklahoma City is the county seat of Oklahoma County, and is the eighth largest U.S. city in terms of total land area. It is a part of the Great Lakes region and it is the home of one of the world’s largest livestock markets. Its location on the I-35 corridor also makes it a popular travel corridor for people traveling to Texas and Wichita as well as for people going into Mexico.
The city has been hit by 13 tornadoes since records started being kept, and Oklahoma City also has lots of seasonal variation of weather which can include flash flooding and extended droughts.
Seniors in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
According to the most recent census, 11.5 percent of people in Oklahoma City were 65-years-old or older. A total of 8.7 percent of households in Oklahoma City were comprised of someone who was 65 or older who was living alone, and 9.2 percent of seniors in Oklahoma City were living below the poverty level.
There are many programs available in Oklahoma City that are aimed at helping older residents enhance their quality of life, remain active and vibrant members of the community, and live independently for as long as possible as they get older.
The website of the City of Oklahoma City provides information on senior programs in the area. There are two senior activity centers open to people 55 and older which provide a variety of programs including art classes, dance events, athletic events, exercise classes, creative writing courses, travel and field-trips, performing arts, history classes, and more. There are also special financial planning programs and programs aimed at addressing senior health issues.
Seniors may also be entitled to benefits including nutrition assistance, and can look into options for home health services and adult daycare services. Parman & Easterday can provide assistance to seniors in understanding what kinds of benefits they could be entitled to receive if they need help.
We also help seniors and people of all ages plan ahead for what could happen if they get sick, if they need nursing home care, if a serious injury leaves them incapacitated, or if they pass away. While these issues may seem most pressing to seniors, preparing for possible illness, injury, or death is actually important for everyone. You never know when something could happen to you, and you want your wishes to be respected and family to be cared for in case something goes wrong.
Courts in Oklahoma City, OK
Many legal matters related to incapacity and estates must be handled in probate court. For example, if a person is incapacitated without an advanced plan for incapacity in place, family or friends will need to initiate guardianship or conservatorship proceedings in probate court. If someone passes away, with or without a will, estate affairs may need to be wound up in probate court.
Probate proceedings have to take place where the incapacitated or deceased person resides. For those who live in Oklahoma City, this means that the probate court where proceedings will take place is the Oklahoma County court.
The website of the clerk of the Oklahoma County court indicates that the court will store wills for safe keeping. This can be beneficial as it avoids questions about whether a deceased person has a will since the will can be found at the court. The clerk’s website also indicates that the cost of probating an estate is $204.14 plus publication if necessary. The cost is also $204.14 for guardianship proceedings, and $154.14 for conservatorship proceedings.
Parman & Easterday can provide you with representation if you must go to court. Our legal team can also help you make an estate plan aimed at avoiding the need for court proceedings. This could include taking steps to make a plan for assets to transfer outside of probate and taking steps to make an incapacity plan so a trusted relative or friend can make decisions and act on your behalf if something happens to you.
Getting Help with Estate Planning and Elder Law in Oklahoma City
Parman & Easterday works hard to provide you with the help that you need with all of your financial planning, estate planning, incapacity planning, and legacy planning issues. We know how the law can work to protect you and your loved ones and we help you create a strategic plan for the future. Give us a call today at (405) 843-6100 or contact us online to find out more.
