Find an Elder law attorney in Walton County, Florida. Lawyers that focus on Elder Law devote their practice to the needs of the aging and elderly.
Elder law is generally focused around the following types of matters: estate planning and asset protection, obtaining disability benefits or other types of benefits such as Medicaid, and conservatorship or commitment matters. Elder law attorneys also help protect the elderly from abuse, neglect and fraud.
National Elder Law Foundation - NELF is the only national certifying program for elder law attorneys. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge attorneys who have demonstrated the highest knowledge, proficiency and experience in the field of representing elderly people and people with special needs.
Florida Bar Board Certification in Elder Law - Lawyers certified in Elder Law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization have demonstrated substantial involvement in all aspects of planning for aging, illness, and incapacity.
Because clients in Elder Law cases are predominantly seniors, this area of the law requires the attorney to be particularly sensitive to the legal issues impacting these clients.
Under Rule 6-20.2, the term "Elder Law" means legal issues involving "health and personal care planning, including: advance directives; lifetime planning; family issues; fiduciary representation; capacity; guardianship; power of attorney; financial planning; public benefits and insurance; resident rights in long-term care facilities; housing opportunities and financing; employment and retirement matters; income, estate, and gift tax matters; estate planning; probate; nursing home claims; age or disability discrimination and grandparents' rights."
NAELA is both a professional association, assisting and educating elder law attorneys, and an advocacy group, that lobbies for policies and laws that protect the needs of the growing elderly population and people with disabilities.