Elder Law 101
Many people don’t really know what elder law means. At its core, elder law is the intersection of elder law and social security law. Elder law can refer to estate planning for seniors – complex estate planning to reduce the risk of federal gift and estate taxes, so that current tax rates and exemptions can be held in place. It can also refer to long-term care planning, including Medicaid planning, Medicare planning , and long-term disability insurance. It can refer to guardianship issues, including both guardianship over property and conservatorship over the person. Elder law also encompasses factoring in capacity issues, competency matters, and health care planning.
Whatever aspect of elder law you need to know, a seminar, lectures or webinar can help you know more about elder planning, estate planning, and Social Security.
The Advantages of Elder Law Seminars
Elder law seminars provide an extensive range of benefits for anyone who attends, especially seniors, caregivers and family members. Here are just a few of the top reasons to consider attending local elder law seminars.
First and foremost, these seminars take some of the mystery out of elder law. Attendees have their questions answered by some of the top experts in the field, and they gain a fundamental understanding of everything from Medicaid eligibility and estate planning to asset protection and probate law.
Elder law seminars also empower attendees with an awareness of their legal rights, as well as those of their loved ones. Having this information can help attendees make sound decisions regarding healthcare, long-term care and estate planning issues.
Networking is another valuable benefit offered by elder law seminars. Participants have the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, including other seniors, caregivers and estate planning professionals. Building a network of contacts can help participants stay connected and continue learning long after the seminar has come to a close.
Finally, finding elder law seminars in your own community is an excellent way to get to know the speakers and other professionals who contribute to these events. You’ll also feel more confident reaching out to them if and when you need assistance with your estate planning, Medicaid eligibility or other elder law issues in the future.
Elder law seminars can be highly useful tools that allow you to learn more about the ins and outs of this important area of law while also making contact with experienced professionals in your area. Finding the right local elder law seminar not only benefits seniors, but also provides caregivers and family members with peace of mind and an enhanced ability to help those they love most.
How to Locate Local Elder Law Seminars
While the Internet can be a valuable resource for finding elder law seminars in any given state, many lawyers still prefer face-to-face learning, either to build their professional network or serve existing clients. So if you are searching for elder law courses, how do you find them in your region? For starters, where you might look depends on the type of training or content you are seeking. One of the more obvious options is your local bar association. This could be the state, county or even district bar association, depending on where you live. Many of these groups hold a range of continuing education activities throughout the year that could be beneficial for those looking to build their knowledge of elder law. There are also various organizations devoted to areas of elder law that host regional events. For instance, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys hosts a number of seminars across the country that touch on various aspects of elder law. The National Elder Law Foundation and the Academy of Special Needs Planners also offer various opportunities to learn from experts in the field. Various state and public agencies that have some connection to elder law issues also provide information on upcoming events. Many states, for instance, have specific agencies dedicated to the development and delivery of services for the elderly in the state. These agencies often host information sessions or conferences. As a general rule, attorneys searching for events like continuing education courses will likely have the most luck with a basic search engine inquiry. For example, if you search "elder law seminar Pennsylvania," you would likely have a range of value results, including seminars in the area that could show you where you may access some of the aforementioned organizations and other sources of guidance.
What You Need to Know Before Attending an Elder Law Seminar
While seminars can vary in length and scope of coverage, most elder law seminars are comprised of several presentations by in-house attorneys and guest presenters, covering a range of topics. The format usually includes a panel discussion and the opportunity for attendees to ask questions. A number of the elder law seminars are hosted in collaboration with local attorneys and elder service providers. Guests include those from Medicaid and the Probate Court who have practical experience in the issues that we focus on.
Elder law seminars typically include topics such as: An elder law seminar usually covers the entire array of elder law issues or a smaller segment of a few related topics . For example, a short seminar may cover long-term care planning and Medicaid issues, while a more in-depth session may review the full spectrum of elder law issues. The question-and-answer component provides an excellent opportunity for frank discussions about issues that matter most directly to attendees. Typical questions include specific issues facing family members or loved ones, or a description of the elder law problems they are trying to prevent. One dot-connector common across many elder law seminars is the opportunity to begin the process of estate planning sooner, while family members are able to participate.
How to Prepare for an Elder Law Seminar
Before you attend an elder law seminar, it can be helpful to make a list of questions that are most pressing to you. That way, you don’t walk away from the seminar feeling like you didn’t get enough information. Where there’s an opportunity to make a list of questions in advance, such as on the sign-up form, take advantage of it. In addition to creating a list of questions, you should also determine which documents you will need to bring to the seminar in order to get the most out of the experience. For example, if you are attending a seminar on wills and trusts, you may want to ask about bringing a copy of your last will and testament or other estate planning documents. If you are attending a seminar on Medicaid planning, bring a Medicaid application. Whatever type of seminar you are planning to attend, you may want to conduct additional research ahead of the seminar and plan to get in touch with a lawyer after the fact to get additional information. For example, Divorce Magazine notes the importance of following up with an attorney after an elder law seminar.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Virtual and In-Person Elder Law Seminars
There is no right or wrong way to find the best elder law seminar for you, but there are several factors to consider when deciding whether to attend a virtual versus an in-person (also referred to as "live") seminar. First, think about how close the location is to you. Virtual seminars are typically done via web-based programs like Zoom or GoToMeeting. You can view the presentation on your phone, computer, or tablet from anywhere you have internet connectivity. In-person seminar locations vary – most are held at lawyers’ offices, but hotels, senior living communities, and seminar centers are also popular locations. Second, examine the level of interaction allowed in each setting. Virtual seminars might include opportunity for Q&A, depending on the platform being used . If you want the ability to speak directly with the attorney and other seminar-goers, in-person is the best choice. Finally, look at the technology needed to view the virtual seminar. In order to register for a virtual seminar, you typically need to provide your phone number, email address, and/or physical address. If you are not tech-savvy, you often need to enlist someone’s help to create an account with the web-based program. You should also have either a phone, computer, tablet, or any device with internet access to be able to view the presentations. Virtual versus in-person is just one factor to consider when choosing to attend an elder law seminar. When you find one that is convenient, appeals to you, and will help you achieve your goals, then make sure to attend – either virtually or in person!