Elder Law describes a practice of law that encompasses the many legal issues that face aging Americans. To practice Elder Law means knowing the special laws that protect older citizens from physical, emotional and financial abuse. It means knowing the laws that prevent discrimination against older Americans in the work place. And it means knowing how to help older people plan for disability and death.

Much of the practice of elder law concerns issues surrounding long term care. An elder law attorney must be familiar with the different kinds of care, long term care insurance, the contracts for care, and the rights of residents in long term care. For many families the cost of long term care is simply out of reach. In such cases, many families look to the Medicaid program for help. Planning, applying and obtaining Medicaid can be a daunting process with rules that change often. An elder law lawyer works with the local Medicaid workers to obtain financial help for an elder in need without impoverishing the rest of the family.

From day to day, elder law attorneys see Social Security problems, Medicare difficulties and pension issues for both husband and wives. We see disputes among children about access to their parents in long term care. We see battles among relatives over the control of family property. We see complaints of abuse by nursing home operators. In short, an elder law attorney is there for any of the legal problems that plague older citizens.