Introduction to Elder Law:

Elder Law emerged as a specialty devoted to the legal needs of aging Americans.  It evolved in response to several distinct realities that have developed in our society.  First, people are living longer due to medical advances, better nutritional habits and overall improvements in our standard of living.  Second, with increased age comes increasing medical costs.  Much of the medical care for older persons in this country has been governed by  Federal government  programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.  As these government programs have expanded to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of older adults in this country, the bureaucratic rules and regulations to implement and manage these medical benefits have become more complicated.  Applying for government medical benefits can be more complicated than filing your income tax return.   Third, with increased age comes increased burdens on the caregivers.  Due to current life-style trends among families, the responsibilities of caring for older adults are being shifted to institutions or other third party care providers.  The use of such care providers gives rise to legal questions related to the rights of the recipients of this care, the responsibilities of the care providers, how these arrangements are to be monitored and how they are to be financed.  Finally, older adults have accumulated more wealth than ever before and they have become more vocal and active in planning how they wish to be cared for later in life.  It is in response to these, as well as other developments and changes in our society, that the area of Elder law emerged. 

An Elder Law attorney specializes in assisting families and individuals as they confront these new developements.