Elder Law

Strengthen your skills, expand your knowledge, and engage with peers and experienced faculty at the annual Elder Law Short Course! Designed for Illinois attorneys focused on elder law, this comprehensive program offers an in-depth look at the most current and important issues affecting older adults and their families. Topics include estate planning, Medicaid, guardianship issues, and recent legal developments.

This course describes the following Illinois Department of Human Services benefits: 1) Aid for the Aged, Blind, Disabled (AABD) Cash assistance and 2) Medicare Savings Programs. These two benefits are highly underutilized but provide very valuable benefits to low-income, vulnerable older adults. The training will describe how to apply for the benefits, eligibility criteria, and how to maximize benefits.

Client deaths. Emotionally charged family dynamics. Practice management-related stresses. All of this and more can put strain on the elder law attorney. Learn how to recognize, manage, and address secondary trauma and imposter syndrome - two common challenges for attorneys striving to provide compassionate service to their elderly clients.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

Unlock effective strategies for handling spousal refusal, annuity planning, Medicaid-related divorce issues, and retirement planning. Gain practical insights and tools to ensure your clients receive the best possible guidance and support.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

Differences between simple wills that distribute outright, pour over wills to revocable trusts and wills that create and fund testamentary trusts. Originally presented as part of Fundamentals of Will Drafting 2025.

What are the standard components for a will without a trust or a pour-over will? Learn more about how to name the executor and guardians and what boilerplate to include, along with requirements of a basic testamentary trust under a will and a basic revocable trust agreement. Originally presented as part of Fundamentals of Will Drafting 2025

Learn more about the issues involved in working with clients of various religions and cultures, including some practical tips on requirements of different faiths and a discussion of how to deal with the ethical issues that may arise.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

This course presents guidance on the requirements and workflow for your initial and final meetings with a client when drafting a will. Originally presented as part of Fundamentals of Will Drafting 2025

What is AI and how can you ethically use it in your elder law practice? Enhance the level of client service you provide by responsibly integrating AI into your practice, ensuring you stay ahead of the technological curve while prioritizing client trust and confidentiality.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

Learn key strategies for advising clients on Medicaid eligibility and benefits. This session includes a comprehensive guide to Illinois regulations and handouts, and tips to navigate the complexities of Medicaid in relation to housing considerations.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the nuances and appropriateness of limited guardianship. This session will explore the rights of the ward, including the processes for modifying guardianship and restoring rights. Additionally, the session will offer practical guidance on drafting orders that align with statutory requirements for limited guardianship, ensuring legal compliance and protecting the interests of the ward.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

Learn how to address language and literature barriers, vision impairments, and hearing loss in legal practice. Participants will explore an attorney’s obligations to accommodate clients' needs and the standards required for adequate accommodation. Practical strategies will be shared to ensure clients facing these challenges are effectively supported, ensuring accessibility and adherence to ethical and legal standards.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.