Potential elder law clients are also clients of accountants, financial planners, healthcare professionals, insurance agents, and even other attorneys. For that reason, other professionals are one of the best sources of good referrals. 

Speaking to referral sources is different from presenting directly to potential clients. You must thoroughly prepare to speak to other professionals because, unlike potential clients, other professionals likely have some background knowledge of elder law. At the same time, you will want potential referral sources to see you as the expert on elder law, so must talk like you are the expert.

By Lee Poskanzer

Can you hear it? A little-known, trillion-dollar problem is whispering in the background—a new and expanding challenge for trust and estate practitioners: how to handle digital property in the planning process. Today, the average internet user has over 240 online password-protected accounts, and 97 percent of American adults own smartphones, meaning that the “average American” is an internet user. That this is true of the average American adult (not just of young or technologically savvy people) is a big change that has happened over a relatively short period!

From a new proposed rule that would identify certain charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT) transactions as listed transactions, to the introduction of new legislation that would increase Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) personal needs allowances, to new developments regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), we have recently seen significant legal developments. To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.