Elder Law Section, NCBA

Main Menu Table of Contents Copyright Disclaimer Questionnaires FCS Home Page Elder Law Section Contributing Attorneys Related Links NC General Assembly

The Elder Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association was established in 1996. Currently, more than 300 attorneys in North Carolina are members. The Section has a Council composed of officers and twelve elected members who meet four times a year. Activities of the Elder Law Section include: a regular newsletter (available to Section members only); an annual continuing legal education program held in February; and the development of the Web program, Planning Your Estate. For more information, go to the home page of the North Carolina Bar Association. What is elder law?

What is elder law?

Elder law is defined by the client to be served, and the practice of elder law encompasses many different fields of law. Elder law attorneys use a holistic approach to meet the needs of the older client. Issues addressed in the practice of elder law include:

• General estate planning issues;
• Trusts;
• Administration and management of trusts and estates;
• Disability planning (preparing for the possibility of future incompetency and dependency using powers of attorney, living trusts, advance directives, etc.);
• Medicaid;
• Medicare claims and appeals;
• Social Security and disability claims and appeals;
• Supplemental and long-term health insurance issues;
• Guardianships and conservatorships;
• Long-term care issues;
• Nursing home issues;
• Elder abuse;
• Housing issues for the elderly;
• Age discrimination issues;
• Retirement planning;
• Survivor and pension benefits;
• Health law; and
• Mental health law.

Most elder law attorneys will concentrate in some, but not all, of these areas, so you may need to shop around to find an elder law attorney who regularly handles your specific problem. For more information, see the section, How to Choose an Attorney. For more information on Questions & Answers When Looking for an Elder Law Attorney, visit the home page of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

---

Prepared by Carol A. Schwab, J.D., LL.M.
Professor and Extension Specialist, NC State University.

This publication is provided as a public service and is designed to acquaint you with certain legal issues and concerns. It is not designed as a substitute for legal advice, nor does it tell you everything you may need to know about this subject. Future changes in the law cannot be predicted, and statements in this publication are based solely on the laws of North Carolina in force on the date of publication.

Date: August 2000