Elder Law is a specialty area of law practice because of the unique and complex issues faced by older persons and persons with disabilities. Elder Law includes helping such persons and their families with planning for incapacity and long-term care, Medicaid and Medicare coverage (including coverage of nursing home and home care), health and long-term care insurance, and health care decision-making. It also includes the drafting of special needs and other trusts, the selection of long-term care providers, home care and nursing home problem solving, retiree health and income benefits, retirement housing, and fiduciary services or representation. In these and other areas, the Elder Law Attorney is often asked to advocate for clients with diminished capacity. Family members and persons with fiduciary responsibilities become involved. The traditional attorney-client relationship is not always clear. Issues such as substituted judgment, best interests, and “who is the client?” present problems not regularly faced by other lawyers. Each step of the way is governed by complex and confusing rules.

Lippman, Semsker & Salb has extensive experience working with families wrestling with the financial, interpersonal, and emotional challenges that arise when addressing the care and financial needs of older people.