What is a Certification in Elder Law?

Certification as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation is accredited by the American Bar Association and the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists. The purpose of the certification program is to identify those lawyers who have the enhanced knowledge, skills, experience, and proficiency to be properly identified to the public as Certified Elder Law Attorneys. CELAs are committed, through certification, to maintaining and improving their proficiency in Elder Law through continual practice and continuing legal education.

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, legal capacity, and the conservation, disposition and administration of estates, giving due consideration to the tax consequences concerning such matters.

In addition, we as elder law attorneys take a holistic approach to our practice and strive to connect the client and their family with the best community resources. Resources including service providers such as mediators, counselors and geriatric care managers to assist the client, spouse and family cope with their grief and adapt to the changes in their lives; home care providers and accountants to help maintain the client in their homes when possible; independent and assisted living facilities to maintain the optimal independence and dignity of the client; skilled and custodial nursing care that best provides for the specific physical, emotional and mental needs of the individual.