An Elder Law Attorney specializes in issues affecting the elderly, or provides eIder law services as one type of law he/she practices. The National Elder Law Foundation created a certification program to identify those lawyers who have the enhanced knowledge, skills, experience and proficiency to be certified Elder Law Attorneys.

Elder Law Attorneys counsel and represent older persons about the legal.shtmlects of health and long term care planning, public benefits, surrogate decision making, legal capacity, conservation, estate planning and age discrimination.

The Administration on Aging maintains Legal Hotlines for Older Americans. This service allows persons age 60 and over, or people calling on their behalf to speak with an attorney about their legal questions or problems.

Area Agencies on Aging can help find legal aid for older persons who want to know more about their public benefits; who have been denied a benefit that they think they're entitled to receive; whose benefits have been reduced or stopped; or who have legal issues involving elder rights, consumer scams, or housing.

As in selecting any other professional, it is always a good idea to ask a trusted friend or a professional in a related field for a referral to an Elder Law Attorney. Before you meet or call an attorney, you may wish to print out copies of GetCare's Elder Law Attorney checklist, which provides detailed questions to help you to evaluate and compare attorneys.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys maintains a membership directory to help consumers locate Elder Law Attorneys.

Elder Law Attorneys' rates vary widely. Fees can be on an hourly basis, or there can be a flat fee for a specific service. Before meeting with an attorney, ask to see a fee schedule. Low-income elderly or disabled persons may qualify for free legal assistance.