The Right Choice

A Certified Elder Law Attorney®

An attorney certified by the National Elder Law Foundation has the special expertise you need.

The only American Bar Association approved designation of a Certified Elder Law Attorney®

6336 N. Oracle Rd., Ste. 326, #136
Tucson, AZ 85704

520.881.1076 • www.nelf.org

For assistance or more information, please contact your Certified Elder Law Attorney®.

Why Certification in Elder Law Is So Important

Attorneys certified in elder law offer you something that other attorneys do not: professional expertise in the unique needs of older, maturing populations. Certified Elder Law attorneys are not just authorities on legal issues affecting seniors, they are also familiar with other vital resources and services—both public and private—that can help meet the needs of senior citizens, including those with disabilities.

By choosing a Certified Elder Law Attorney® (also called a “CELA®”), you know you will receive expert advice and representation from a lawyer who has demonstrated a serious commitment to helping seniors by becoming certified in elder law.

Elder law attorneys are certified by the Board of Certification of the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), a nonprofit organization founded in 1993. NELF is dedicated to developing and improving the professional competence of lawyers in the focused area of elder law and special needs.

The certification program identifies those lawyers who have the specialized knowledge, skills, experience and proficiency to resolve issues that affect older people. For more than twenty-five years, NELF’s Elder Law Certification Program is the only elder law program accredited by the American Bar Association.



What a Certified Elder Law Attorney® Can Do for You

With professional expertise in the following areas, a CELA® is your best choice for important issues facing older Americans, such as:

• Health and long-term care planning
• Public benefits (such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and Veterans’ benefits)
• Conservation, disposition and administration of estates (including wills, trusts and probate)
• Surrogate decision-making (powers of attorney and guardianship)
• Establishment of the legal capacity of an older person
• Special needs counseling (trusts, housing, employment and education)

How a Certified Elder Law Attorney® Is Unique

A Certified Elder Law Attorney® is more than just an attorney who specializes in the field of elder law. CELAs are committed, through certification, to maintaining and improving their proficiency with continual practice and continuing legal education. Becoming certified in elder law validates a lawyer’s specialty to handle issues that affect senior citizens.

A CELA® is in a unique position to serve the interests of older, maturing populations by having met comprehensive and strict requirements and must:

• Be licensed to practice law in at least one state or the District of Columbia
• Be actively practicing law and must have practiced law for at least five years prior to applying for certification
• Be a member in good standing of the Bar Associations in all places where licensed
• Have spent an average of at least 16 hours a week practicing elder law during the three years preceding the application, and handled at least 60 elder law matters during those years across a wide variety of topics
• Have participated in at least 45 hours of continuing legal education in elder law during the three years preceding the application
• Be favorably evaluated by five elder law attorney specialists
• Pass a one-time full-day certification examination
• Renew certification every five years

An elder law attorney must be aware of the tax consequences of any action, or recommend the need for more sophisticated tax expertise if needed.

CELAs will also recognize areas of concern that may arise during counseling and representation relating to the following issues:

• Abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older or disabled person
• Insurance
• Housing
• Long-term care
• Employment
• Retirement
• Planning for survivors and future generations

How to Find a Certified Elder Law Attorney®

It’s easy to locate a CELA® anywhere in the U.S. Just visit www.nelf.org to search for a Certified Elder Law Attorney® by state and city. If you do not have access to a computer, call (520) 881-1076.