An Overview of My Practice at the Law Office of Melanie B. Bradford, LLC
At the office of attorney Melanie B. Bradford, the needs of my clients are always my top priority. I will work closely with you at all times, dedicating my full energy and attention to helping you find solutions to the issues you face and to preventing problems in the future. I will work hard to earn your trust, making myself available and accessible whenever you need a question answered.
I am also a civil mediator in Alabama. In this role, I work to resolve disputes between two or more parties, helping them reach an agreeable resolution. The mediation process allows parties to create their own solutions to problems rather than have a court decide. It is often more cost-effective than litigation.
To set up a confidential consultation, contact my Scottsboro office by e-mail or call me at 256-293-4092.
Experienced Jackson County Lawyer Working for You
From my Scottsboro office, I help people across northern Alabama deal with a variety of legal issues, including:
- Estate planning and tax planning: I will review your assets and recommend solutions to best avoid estate taxes or gift taxes while implementing your goals. I will help you implement a plan for the orderly distribution of assets and will prepare all the documents required to put your estate plan into place, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advance medical directives.
- Medicaid planning and nursing home planning: I work with clients wishing to protect assets years before needing nursing home care. I will explain the Medicaid requirements and process. Based on the client's unique situation, I will recommend an asset protection plan that will help achieve the client's goals. I also work with clients currently in a nursing home or who will enter one soon. While these clients will not be able to implement the same asset protection solutions as those who planned in advance, I will work with these clients to properly address all Medicaid requirements and to implement any asset protection methods that are available.
- Medicaid applications and appeals: I assist clients in carefully preparing the Medicaid application to avoid any potential problems. I understand the pitfalls involved in the process, and I will go through all the paperwork and records to make sure things go smoothly. If a client's application was denied, I work to correct any problems and file an appeal.
- Veterans benefits: Many veterans and their spouses fail to obtain valuable Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. These benefits, called "Aid and Attendance" pension benefits, are paid to the veteran or his/her family to offset the cost of nursing home care, in-home care or assisted living. The rules for obtaining VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Medicaid benefits are vastly different. As a Huntsville veterans benefits attorney, I work with my clients to make sure they properly plan so that there is no loss of either benefit.
- Probate, estate administration and probate litigation: I assist clients with all aspects of the probate process, including probating simple estates, complex estates and insolvent estates; probate with or without a will; will contests; disputes with personal representatives; and conservatorship, guardianship and commitment proceedings.
- Social Security Disability claims: I guide clients who are unable to work because of injury or illness through the disability process. I know how to properly document and present your case to obtain your disability benefits.
Contact a Fort Payne Medical Planning Attorney
For an appointment, call my office at 256-293-4092, toll-free at 888-736-1592 or contact my law firm online. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday, evening and weekend consultations are available upon request.
