An elder law attorney is different from a general estate attorney — they specialize in the intersection of aging, health care, and legal planning, which is exactly the intersection solo aging sits in.
What to look for
- Membership in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a reasonable quality signal
- Experience specifically with clients who don't have family serving as their agents
- A clear, upfront fee structure — flat fee for a documents package is common and predictable
Questions worth asking in a first consultation
- Have you worked with clients who named a friend or professional fiduciary as POA, rather than family?
- What happens if my named agent later becomes unavailable — do we name a successor now?
- Can you help me find a professional fiduciary if I don't have anyone to name?
Many elder law attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation — use it to gauge comfort and fit before committing.