how to certify as elder law attorney

by Icie Douglas 10 min read

What questions should I Ask an elder law attorney?

In the three years prior to applying for certification, the attorney must have spent at least 16 hours per week, on average, practicing elder law; must have handled at least sixty (60) elder law matters; and must have participated in at least 45 hours of continuing legal education in the area of elder law. The attorney must satisfy peer review/professional reference requirements, and …

Why do you need a certified elder law attorney?

Jan 25, 2022 · To be certified, attorneys must, among other criteria, pass an exam, practice elder law at least 16 hours a week and participate in ongoing, continuing education courses. You can search for a NELF-certified attorney on the organization’s website. It’s important that you find an attorney that’s right for you.

What is elder law and how can it help you?

Have participated in at least 45 hours of continuing legal education in elder law during the three years preceding the application. Be favorably evaluated by five elder law attorney specialists. Pass a one-time full-day certification examination. Repeat a similar elder law certification process every five years.

What is a certified elder law attorney?

Have participated in at least 45 hours of continuing education in elder law during three years preceding the application. Be favorably evaluated by five elder law attorneys who satisfy specified criteria. Pass a full-day certification examination consisting of essay and multiple choice questions. Repeat the certification process every five years. The CELA certification by the …

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What is Cela certification?

The Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) certification has frequently been referred to as “the gold standard” for elder law and special needs practitioners. This reflects the hard work and proof required before an attorney can proudly proclaim that he or she holds the valued designation.

What does Cela mean for an attorney?

Certified Elder Law AttorneyBut selecting someone who is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) is one way to ensure that the attorney has the necessary qualifications to provide competent representation.May 8, 2015

How do I become a licensed elder attorney in NJ?

To become a Certified elder Law Attorney, an applicant must be licensed and continuously in good standing with the bars of every state in which they practice. The applicant must have practiced law for at least five years prior to application (most have much more) and still be practicing law. That is the easy part.

What does Cela mean after a name?

CELA means that I'm a Certified Elder Law Attorney*. The National Elder Law Foundation describes the CELA certification as “the gold standard” for elder law and special needs practitioners. It is the only Elder Law Certification that is approved by the American Bar Association.Sep 8, 2015

What does Cela stand for?

CELAAcronymDefinitionCELACertified Elder Law Attorney (National Elder Law Foundation)CELACanadian Environmental Law AssociationCELACouncil of Educators in Landscape ArchitectureCELACenter on English Learning and Achievement (University at Albany; Albany, NY)20 more rows

What is an elder law attorney?

What is a Certified Elder Law Attorney? Elder Law Attorneys are certified by the Board of Certification of the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), a non-profit organization founded in 1993, which is devoted to developing and improving the professional competence of lawyers focused in elder law and special needs planning.

What is CELA certification?

The CELA certification by the National Elder Law Foundation is the only accepted certification in the field of Elder Law. It is the only ABA approved Elder Law Certification that is recognized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Why is elder law important?

Having the essential legal documents in place gives you the necessary legal rights to provide the best care for your older adult, now and at the end of life. That’s why it’s so important to find an expert lawyer that you trust to draw up the right documents.

What is elder law?

Elder law is a specialized legal area focused on older adults and their adult children. This legal specialty focuses on specific needs, including: Power of attorney and other important legal documents. Long term care planning and paying for care. Medicare and Medicaid planning.

How can an elder law attorney help seniors?

2 ways an elder law attorney helps seniors and family caregivers. 1. Plan for the future and protect assets. An elder law attorney has the expertise to make recommendations on how to plan for future care needs. They often answer questions like:

How to find an elder law attorney?

2 ways to find an elder law attorney. 1. Get a referral from someone you know. Getting a referral from family or a friend is a great way to find a lawyer.

What to bring to an estate planning appointment?

Once you have arranged an appointment, be sure to bring all information necessary to get the most out of the time with your attorney. Fully informed, open communication will result in the best outcome for estate planning services, long term care planning, and asset protection. Information to bring: 1 Bank and investment account statments including joint accounts 2 Retirement statements including pensions, IRAs and 401 (k)s 3 Mortgage and property tax statements 4 Debt summaries 5 Asset summaries including vehicles, significant posessions, pre-paid funeral plans, and/or expected inheritance 6 Life insurance policies 7 Health insurance policies, including long term care or disability policies 8 Income sources of self and spouse 9 Dependent information 10 Prior estate planning documents including wills, trusts, POA

Who is Bruce Rosenblatt?

Bruce Rosenblatt is a senior housing expert with decades of experience in the elder care industry. Bruce developed Senior Housing Solutions in 2009 and now uses his expertise to educate clients on all available living options and assist them in finding the best fit for their needs and lifestyle.

Do people realize the degree of specialization that exists among attorneys?

“Many people do not realize the degree of specialization that exists among attorneys,” Heiser notes. “You want to make sure that the attorney you hire matches your particular area (s) of concern.”

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Requirements For Certification as An Elder Law Attorney

  • Although the specific requirements for certification as a specialist in elder law may vary from state to state, many states recognize the elder law certification issued by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). That organization sets forth the following requirements in order to qualify as a certified elder law attorney: 1. The attorney must be licensed to practice law in at least one stat
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What Can A Certified Elder Law Attorney Do For You?

  • With their specialized training and practice in elder law, along with the additional resources available to them, certified elder law attorneys can be expected to understand the current state of elder law in their jurisdiction and to offer an expert level of representation to their clients. An elder law attorney will also understand the challenges facing elderly clients and is trained to specifical…
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Where Can You Find A Certified Elder Law Attorney?

  • NELF’s website provides a list of specialists by state. However, it is not the only certifying entity and you can also locate a certified elder law attorney through the state bar for your state, some of which may even include this information on their websites. The State Bar of California, for example, provides a Legal Specialist Search, allowing you to find specialists by area of law. You …
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Additional Resources

  • For additional information on elder law generally, see FindLaw's "Elder Law" and "Intro to Elder Law" articles.
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