What Does it Mean to Specialize in Elder Law?

I’m often asked if I specialize in elder law. Not only do I answer “yes”, I typically try to explain the reason for my answer. While there are many attorneys who claim to be elder law attorneys, certainly not all specialize in it. I believe an attorney who claims to specialize in elder law should devote a high percentage of his or her practice to elder law and have done so for a number of years. Like any other specialty, elder law cannot be learned in a few months or years.

Also, the attorney should be a member of an elder law organization such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and be a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) or obtained a similar certification through their state bar association.