How to Choose an Elder-Law Attorney
Several of our guides recommend talking to an elder-law attorney before making a big decision. Here’s how to find one, what credentials actually mean something, and what to do if hiring one isn’t in the budget.
What “elder law” covers
Elder law typically covers Medi-Cal and long-term-care planning, estate planning, conservatorship, guardianship, and sometimes elder abuse matters. It overlaps with general estate planning but goes further — a general estate planner may not be deeply versed in Medi-Cal eligibility and look-back rules, which is a specialized area.
Credentials worth checking
- CalBar Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law — a designation from the State Bar of California indicating additional testing and experience in this specific area. Verify it directly through the California State Bar’s specialist search, rather than taking a website’s claim at face value.
- NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) membership — another signal to look for, though membership alone isn’t a certification.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Flat fee or hourly — and what’s included at that price?
- Specific experience with Medi-Cal planning — not just estate planning generally.
- Who at the firm will actually handle your matter — the attorney you meet, or someone else?
Free and low-cost alternatives
For families who can’t afford a private attorney, Legal Services of Northern California, Sacramento office provides free/low-cost legal aid covering public-benefits and some estate-planning matters for income-eligible Sacramento County residents.
CANHR is also a free consumer information resource — not a law firm, but knowledgeable and free — for nursing-home and Medi-Cal-adjacent questions.
See our local resources directory for phone numbers and hours for both.
One more thing
SacramentoCare Directory does not currently list or endorse specific attorneys. We’re building a directory of verified elder-law attorneys serving Sacramento County — check back, or use the resources above in the meantime.
This is general information, not legal advice. Credentials, program eligibility, and contact details can change — confirm current details before you rely on them.