PATIENT AND FAMILY SERVICES blank

Finding an Elder Law Attorney
banner

blank

Seniors' legal needs are often different from those of others. The field of elder law includes estate planning, Medicaid and Medicare claims and planning, Social Security and disability planning. Most elder law attorneys offer all or part of these services.

While phone interviewing prospective attorneys, ask about fees, background, and experience in matters such as yours. If you're comfortable, make an appointment and take all pertinent information and documents relative to your situation to the meeting. A prepared list of questions concerning time and cost is advisable.

Unsure what to ask? The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys provides a free brochure titled "Questions & Answers when Looking for an Elder Law Attorney." For copies send your request to NAELA, 655 North Alvernon Way, Suite 1108, Tucson, AZ 85711 or call (520)881-4005.

Weekly Elder Law FaxLetter, July 10, 1995
from the office of Helen Cohn Needham
Arlington, VA

You may also want to contact the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service. This is a service of the Virginia State Bar. They will provide the name of one lawyer in your geographical area who can provide an initial consultation for up to one-half hour in person or over the telephone at the cost of $35. Their number is 800-552-7977.

For families who are income eligible the Northern Virginia Chapter also has a listing of all of the Legal Services within our service area. Please call (866) 259-0042 or (703) 359-4440.

Important Information About Legal and Financial Documents

Here is a list of items clients should compile for their first meeting with an elder law attorney. It may seem like a daunting list, but we feel Alzheimer families are better off knowing up front what they need to have in order to make the necessary legal and financial decisions to protect for the future.

Planning Documents:

  • Power of Attorney (if you already have one)
  • Living Will
  • Appointment of Health Care Agent
  • Designation of Conservator
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Trust

Probate Court Documents:
If a Conservator has been appointed by a Probate Court:

  • Fiduciary's Certificate
  • Probate Court Decree Appointing Conservator
  • Inventory
  • Accounting Any other Probate Court filings or decrees

Residence:
If the residence is a home:

  • Deed to the house
  • Real estate tax bill
  • Homeowner's insurance premium bill
  • Mortgage papers and payment coupon
If the residence is a condominium:
  • Deed to the condominium
  • Real estate tax bill
  • Homeowner's insurance premium bill
  • Mortgage papers and payment coupons
  • Condominium common charge bill
If the residence is a rental:
  • Lease
  • Current rent

Other Assets: A list of all other assets owned, whether solely held or jointly held with another. If there is a spouse, a list of all assets owned by the spouse, whether solely held or jointly held with another. Be sure to specify the names that appear on each asset and the current balance or value for each.

Assets include:

  • Checking accounts
  • Savings accounts
  • Money market accounts
  • IRAs
  • Keoghs
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • US Savings Bonds
  • Real estate other than the residence (supply a copy of the deed)
  • Investment accounts
  • Business interests
  • Life insurance policies (face value; cash surrender value, annual dividends, if any)
  • Annuities
  • Loans or mortgages
  • Motor vehicles
  • Boats
  • Trailers, recreational vehicles

Fixed Income:

  • Social Security benefit amount (current)
  • Gross pension benefit
If there is a spouse, supply this information for the spouse also.

Liabilities and Expenses:

  • Outstanding loans, monthly payments
  • Outstanding medical bills
  • health insurance premium bill

Gifts: List of all gifts (including charitable contributions) made during the prior three years; list only those gifts where the total of all gifts in a given month exceed $500.00. (There is no need, for example, to list a $25 birthday gift in one month and a $75 gift in another money if those were the only gifts in those months.) Provide an exact amount and date for each gift.

This list was compiled by Attorney Lea Nordlicht Shedd, Shedd and Hoberman, LLC, Hamden, Connecticut.

Courtesy of Greater Lincoln Chapter

In the Northern Virginia Chapter Service Area, for more information about Finding an Elder Law Attorney, please contact the Chapter's telephone Helpline at (703) 359-4440 or (866) 259-0042. Outside Northern Virginia, please contact your local Chapter.

Home | Contribute | Volunteer | Membership | What's New | Calendar of Events | Links | About Alzheimer's | Programs & Services | Search

Last updated: September 19, 2000

Please return to https://www.alz-nova.org or
call toll-free (866) 259-0042 or (703) 359-4440
for more information about services in Northern Virginia.

© 1997 - 2001 Alzheimer's Association of the National Capital Area. All rights reserved.

  1. https://www.ceteresopolitano.org/
  2. https://www.crossingstoronto.com/
  3. https://www.jediism.org/
  4. https://www.badenumc.org/
  5. https://www.johnsevierchapter.org/
  6. https://www.trinitychapelmn.org/
  7. https://www.photogearnews.com/
  8. https://www.alz-nova.org/
  9. https://www.cigjournals.com/
  10. https://summa-edu.com/
  11. https://cpawilmingtonnc.org/
  12. https://bimometals.com/
  13. https://sosenvironmental.com/
  14. https://thefriary.org/
  15. https://post5theatre.org/
  1. https://www.apadrecordings.com/
  2. https://www.covid19innovations.org/
  3. https://mrcofs.org/
  4. https://www.connyun.com/
  5. https://www.eaglehills.org/
  6. https://saomarcosdaserra.com/
  7. https://www.moonstruckrestaurant.com/
  8. https://admupol.org/
  9. https://www.afghanwomenconnect.org/
  10. https://datajournonepal.org/
  11. https://positiveactionforptsd.org/
  12. https://jpec.org/
  13. https://www.visithoustontexas.org/
  14. https://www.lacountycleanwater.org/
  15. https://www.50yearsinexile.org/