Why Hire a NAELA Elder and Special Needs Law Attorney?

Rather than being defined by technical and legal distinctions, elder and special needs law is defined by the clients to be served. In other words, the attorney who practices in these areas works primarily with people as they age and people with disabilities.

NAELA member attorneys are committed to continuing their legal education and enhancing the quality of services they provide their clients.

Elder and special needs law attorneys use a variety of legal tools and techniques to meet the goals and objectives of their clients. Elder and special needs law attorneys typically work with other professionals in various fields to provide their clients quality service and ensure their needs are met.

Using this holistic approach, a NAELA member attorney will address general estate planning issues and will counsel clients about planning for incapacity with decision-making documents. This attorney will also assist clients in planning for possible long-term care needs, including nursing home care. Locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating private and public resources to finance the cost of care, and working to ensure the client's right to quality care are all part of the elder and special needs law practice.

The clients served by elder and special needs law attorneys can be among society's most vulnerable. Their needs are often unique and complex. NAELA members believe that they, as elder and special needs law attorneys, should aspire to a higher level of professional practice standards than others attorneys. For this reason, all members agree to adhere to the NAELA Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law.

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What are the NAELA Aspirational Standards?

The NAELA Aspirational Standards:

• Assist attorneys in navigating the many difficult ethical issues that often arise when representing people as they age and individuals with disabilities;
• Raise the level of professionalism in the practice of elder law and special needs planning; and
• Assist attorneys to effectively meet the needs of their clients. 

Aspirational Standards
NAELA members stand out because they endorse the Aspirational Standards, which assist them in providing high-quality legal counsel, advocacy and guidance.