how to get a referral for an elder law attorney

When you are looking to hire an elder law attorney, it helps to get referrals in your area. Here are some ideas for finding the elder law attorney that is right for you: Ask friends or family for referrals if they or someone they know has found an elder law attorney they trust.

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How do I find an elder law attorney?

May 10, 2021 · Ask friends or family for referrals if they or someone they know has found an elder law attorney they trust. If your senior living community offers resources to residents, you may want to check in with them for elder law resources and recommendations. SeniorSmart can provide you with the tools you need to locate reputable local elder law attorneys.

Should I hire an elder care lawyer?

Making the Ask. To get the actual referrals, attorneys need to practice the art of asking, Riley stressed, adding that “most lawyers are leaving a tremendous level of value on the table by not asking their best clients for referrals.”.

What is a NELF certified elder law attorney?

Jul 21, 2019 · Sometimes, the biggest challenge is locating which lawyers near you specialize in elder law. You have a handful of options available to aid you in your search. Call the California Bar: The California Bar maintains an in-house legal …

What is the National Academy of elder law attorneys?

And unlike common criminals, they will have an intimate knowledge of the law. How to find an elder law attorney that you can trust is difficult. You should get referrals from friends and family and peers. Make sure they are practicing, recognized with NAELA, and are professional. Also, find a lawyer that matches your needs and your personality.

What Is an Elder Law Attorney?

You may be wondering what makes an elder law attorney different from other kinds of attorneys and why you would need one. When you are navigating new issues that arise when you enter into retirement, it can put your mind at ease to have a lawyer on your side who specializes in the needs of seniors.

How Can You Find an Elder Law Attorney?

When you are looking to hire an elder law attorney, it helps to get referrals in your area. Here are some ideas for finding the elder law attorney that is right for you:

What if You Can Not Afford to Hire an Elder Law Attorney?

The National Senior Citizens Law Center is a non-profit organization created to assist low-income seniors with elder law issues without the high price tag. The NSCLC will advocate for your benefits, services, and support to ensure that you receive what you are entitled to for your health and safety in retirement.

SeniorSmart Can Help You Find the Right Elder Law Attorney

Being a SeniorSmart member means having access to our monthly online magazine filled with helpful information for older adults, including retirement and estate planning. While this can help prepare you with a wealth of knowledge, you can enjoy even more customized assistance when you subscribe to our concierge services.

Why would you need an Elder Law Attorney?

Elder Law attorneys provide specialized legal services. Not only do they probate wills and settle estates, but they also help protect your legal rights and interests. Elder Law attorneys are specialists in life care planning and asset protection.

How to find the right Elder Law Attorney for your needs?

When you are looking for a lawyer, it can be tough to find the right one. After all, you want someone who can help you with your legal issue and makes you feel comfortable. If you are looking for a lawyer, here are some steps to help meet and exceed your expectations.

Elder Law Attorney, Los Angeles

Do you qualify yourself as a senior, even if you’re truly young at heart? No matter how youthful you feel, seniorhood will bring special legal challenges and decisions to the table that can be extremely frustrating to deal with.

Can I Really Afford a Lawyer?

Many people facing complex legal concerns worry about the financial load of hiring an attorney. Your financial situation needn’t prevent you from protecting your rights.

Starting Your Search

Sometimes, the biggest challenge is locating which lawyers near you specialize in elder law. You have a handful of options available to aid you in your search.

How to Narrow Your Shortlist

Once you have a shortlist of options available, it’s time to narrow down your choices and verify their legitimacy. Start by calling the California Bar to confirm each lawyer has an active license to practice law.

How to Make a Final Decision

At this point, you should have at least a baseline understanding of who might best suit your needs.

Ask Friends and Family

Asking family and friends for lawyer recommendations is the place to start. These are the people that have your best interests in mind. Their opinion and reviews will be honest and helpful.

How to Find An Elder Law Attorney Online

A lot of law firms are connected digitally now. They will have websites of their own. These firms will have peer reviews of their offices.

NAELA

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is an archive of lawyers that practice elder law. This committee only accepts bar-certified lawyers into their club.

First Impressions Matter

Attorney services, much like cars, should not be purchased without a test-drive. This test-drive is a consultation. Many attorneys offer free consultations. This is your chance to take ‘er for a spin.

Are They Professional?

How timely are they? Are they punctual or slow on the draw? Test them.

Do You Get Along?

You are going to be spending a lot of time with this individual. It is important to like the person you are with.

Diligent Note-Taking

There is a lot to be said and heard when talking with a lawyer. It is difficult to process everything in the moment, especially if you are not used to law jargon.

What are the signs of elder abuse?

Some warning signs of elder abuse could include unexplained bodily injuries (such as burns, cuts or fractures), withdrawal from normal activities, sudden changes in finances, poor hygiene, or signing documents without explanation.

How long can you go to jail for assaulting an elderly person?

For example, an individual who commits and assault and battery on an elderly person that causes bodily injury could receive up to five years in prison. Also, a caretaker of an elderly person who recklessly permits another to commit abuse or neglect upon an elderly person could be punished up to three years in prison.

Can a lawyer share fees with a non-lawyer?

Under Model Rule 5.4 (a), you can’t share fees with a non-lawyer, ever. But if a lawyer referred the client, you are allowed to share fees if you follow Model Rule 1.5 (e), or your jurisdiction’s equivalent. The total fee has to be reasonable, the fee-sharing has to be proportional to the work involved or both lawyers have to be responsible for the representation, and the client has to agree — in writing — to the arrangement, including the fee split.

Can a lawyer call a client?

Your client, not you, should decide whether to contact someone about his matter. And remember, if you’re referring him to another lawyer, that lawyer can’t call him first. That being said, always ask the client if he wants you to call the person you’re referring him to, to let her know he might be calling — and assure him you won’t discuss his legal matter with her. Giving your referral source a heads-up does double duty — it lets her know that you’re thinking of her, even if your client doesn’t call, and it can ease your client’s concern about calling someone he doesn’t know.

What is ABA 7.2?

ABA Model Rule 7.2 (b) (4) says the client is entitled to know if he was referred to you as part of a reciprocal referral arrangement, and the terms of the arrangement. Following the rule covers your professional assets, but it also lets you strengthen your attorney-client relationship if you do it right.

How to get referrals?

There’s one last step in giving or getting a referral: Write it down. When someone sends you a client, or when you send a referral, record the details in your list or database of referral sources. Do this whether or not the referral works out. Make it easy on yourself and record it contemporaneously instead of trying to recreate all your referrals for the year. It’s part of keeping your network alive.

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.”