What IS Elder Law?

Posted: July 14, 2015, 1:58PM

Rather than being defined by technical legal distinctions (divorce, deed, criminal), Elder Law is defined by the client to be served. In other words, the lawyer who practices Elder Law may handle a range of issues but has a specific type of client - seniors.

Elder Law attorneys focus on the legal needs of the elderly, and work with a variety of legal tools and techniques to meet the goals and objectives of the older client.

Under this holistic approach, the Elder Law practitioner handles general estate planning issues and counsels clients about planning for incapacity with alternative decision making documents (powers of attorney, trusts, living wills, etc). The attorney would also assist the client in planning for possible long term care needs, including nursing home care.

Many people are now having to consider gas and oil monies as they work on their estate planning. Is there a summer home at the beach? How many children are involved? How many marriages? What IS the financial picture? Long term care planning is as unique as each individual.