Legal Dictionary: Elder Law

DEFINITION

• Elder Law specializes in the issues faced by older individuals.

• Common Elder Law issues include wills and trusts, health care, nursing home abuse, social security, retirement, and estate planning.

FIND AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY IN YOUR AREA.

More information on ELDER LAW AND THE LAW.

OTHER BUZZWORDS

• Beneficiary
• Estate Taxes
• Heir
• Personal Property
• Probate
• Probate Court

For more definitions, visit the FindLaw Legal Dictionary.

PRACTICE AREA NOTES

• Estate & Elder Law attorneys are rarely in court and usually don't litigate. Much of the work they complete in the ordinary course of business is transactional, such as wills and trusts, estate plans and inheritance tax returns.
• Attorneys practicing in this area must have a working knowledge of the IRS Tax Code. Oftentimes they also send tax work out to a CPA or accountant.
• The majority of work is fixed-fee based. For example, an attorney might charge a fixed price for a simple will or estate plan.
• While Social Security law significantly impacts the older population, the majority of litigation in this area is in Social Security Disability.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers three programs: a retirement program for workers over 65 and two disability programs.