One of the first things a caregiver should do is pull together a loved one's personal business and legal documents. A caregiver must know, for instance, who has the power to speak for a parent or spouse if he becomes incapacitated. If the caregiver is responsible for paying a loved one's bills, it's essential to make sure he's receiving all the pension, investment and Social Security benefits he's entitled to.

The Florida Justice Institute puts out a comprehensive guide to the legal issues older people face in housing, health care, retirement planning and other areas. To get a copy of the "Older Floridians Handbook," call (305) 358-2081. Find the entire text on the state website, www.myflorida.com/doea/healthfamily/publications/elderservices/doeaofh.html.

If you need a lawyer and don't know where to look, go to the "Consumer Services" section of the Florida Bar Web site, www.flabar.org. You can also call the Florida Bar referral panel, 1-800-342-8011.

One growing specialty is elder law. Elder law attorneys help people write wills, plan for retirement, pay for long-term care and name a medical surrogate, among other things.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys offers a service that lets you search by state and specialty. And it gives advice on what questions to ask and issues to consider in shopping for an elder law attorney. Go to www.naela.org.

One critical matter no one should neglect is a living will, often called an advance directive. There are several places to go for help.

Bay Area Legal Services has started a special project offering free assistance with the documents that give people the power to make decisions for a loved one who can no longer speak for himself. Call (813) 232-1343 for more information.

Project Grace, based in Hillsborough County, has produced what it calls an "Advance Care Plan Document," which you can learn more about at www.p-grace.org or by calling, toll-free, 1-877-994-7223.

The Florida Commission on Aging with Dignity has the "Five Wishes" advance directive. Check its Web site, www.agingwithdignity.org or call (850) 681-2010.

Free legal help is available to people who are 60 and older.
• Hillsborough/Pasco counties - Bay Area Legal Services, Tampa (813) 232-1343; Dade City, (352) 567-9044; New Port Richey, (727) 847-5494.
• Pinellas/Manatee counties - Gulfcoast Legal Services, (727) 821-0726

If you're worried a loved one has been the victim of a scam or unscrupulous business practice, call the Florida Attorney General's office, in Tampa, (813) 801-0600.

The Florida Abuse Hotline takes reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation in private homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Call 1-800-962-2873; be prepared to be kept on hold.

If a loved one has a case in the Hillsborough County court system, the Elder Justice Center can help him or her through the process, at (813) 276-2726.

Other Web resources:
• Senior Legal Hotlines - www.seniorlaw.com/hotlines.htm
• National Senior Citizens Law Center - www.nsclc.org
• Florida Bar Elder Law Section - www.els-flabar.org
• AARP Legal Services Network - www.aarp.org/lsn
• Consumer World - www.consumerworld.org
• The Federal Trade Commission - www.ftc.gov