Directory of Attorneys Specializing in Elder Law Issues

To locate an elder law attorney in your community, click here to search the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys' (NAELA) online consumer registry.
 

What is Elder Law?

"Elder Law" is the legal practice of counseling and representing older persons and their representatives about the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning, public benefits, surrogate decision-making, older persons' legal capacity, the conservation, disposition and administration of older persons' estates and the implementation of their decisions concerning such matters, giving due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of the action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise.

NAELA'S Mission Statement:
The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age.

What is Certification?
Some attorneys have earned the designation CELA. CELA indicates Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. These attorneys have the enhanced knowledge, skills, and experience to be properly identified to the public as certified elder law attorneys. The National Elder Law Foundation has developed and publicized rules and regulations regarding certification. Attorneys who meet these rules and regulations, including passing an examination designed to demonstrate their special knowledge and skills, are certified as elder law attorneys.

In addition, attorneys certified in elder law must be capable of recognizing issues of concern that arise during counseling and representation of older persons, or their representatives, with respect to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the older person, insurance, housing, long-term care, employment, and retirement. The certified elder law attorney must also be familiar with professional and non-legal resources and services publicly and privately available to meet the needs of the older persons, and be capable of recognizing the professional conduct and ethical issues that arise during representation.

What is the Experience Registry?
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has developed an experience registry to assist the public in finding qualified elder law attorneys. The attorneys subscribing to the registry have chosen to participate in this member service. Registry participants do not reflect a master list of members of the Academy nor is it exhaustive of the elder law attorneys throughout the United States.

Participants in the experience registry include attorneys who have verified to the Academy that they meet or exceed a minimum level of experience in each field for which they are listed. The Academy makes no representation as to the skills or qualifications of the listed individuals.