What you need to know about elder law

The legal needs of many older Americans go beyond basic legal services and are all interconnected. In addition to understanding the legal issues and complications older Americans face, senior law attorneys must also understand the surrounding personal concerns of their clients, such as health, financial and family issues, and how these affect the legal problems of your clients.

The three main areas of focus for senior law attorneys include health care, tax and estate planning, and guardianship matters. More specific areas of expertise include:

End of life planning. This could extend to planning your health care support system as you age, establishing a power of attorney, establishing a living will, and other matters related to end-of-life care.

Financial problems. This often covers retirement and financial planning, home financing, income and estate tax planning, and gift tax matters.

Long term care. This could include planning for asset protection, insurance for home care or assistance with activities of daily living, Medicare planning, insurance, veterans benefits, and more.

Resident rights issues. This could include any claims you file while you are a patient in a nursing home or long-term care facility.

Discrimination problems in the workplace. Older Americans sometimes face age and disability discrimination in the workplace; A senior law attorney can help you plan and execute your case.

Guardianship issues. This may include avoiding guardianship, planning wills and trusts, planning for the future of children with special needs, probate court, and other matters related to minor children or adults.

Landlord / Tenant Law. This could mean handling landlord disputes, contesting an eviction, dealing with foreclosure issues, and more.

Abuse, Neglect, and Fraud. These attorneys specialize in cases where an older client is being victimized. In these cases, the attorney can act as an advocate for the victim and help locate the client in a safer area if necessary or obtain restitution from the abuser.

There are special certifications, such as the National Elder Law Foundation Certified Senior Law Attorney Credential. To obtain this certification, you must have at least five years of experience in the practice of law and have spent at least sixteen hours a week in the field of senior law for the previous three years, among other qualifications. The examination process takes a full day.

A senior law attorney can be a great partner for you as you plan the legal and financial aspects of the next stage of your life, or the life of a loved one. Ask how long the attorney has been in practice, the percentage of their practice that has been in elder law, and if there are aspects of this field that the attorney specializes in, and you should be able to find the right attorney for you.