Mastering Elder Law

Mastering Elder Law explores concerns that commonly arise when representing the elderly client. The book focuses on public benefits, retirement systems, age discrimination, wealth transfers and simple estate planning through use of probate and non-probate assets, medical decision making (including "the right to die"), guardianships and conservatorships, supported decision making, durable powers of attorney, long-term care, housing, various forms of elder abuse, and the many ethical concerns that can appear when representing elders or their fiduciaries. The book also explores overarching themes such as the tension that results when the state simultaneously attempts to protect its vulnerable citizens and promote their autonomy.

Examples are included throughout, as well as a straightforward description of complex topics such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

The third edition examines recent developments in case law, administrative rules and regulations, and federal and state statutes affecting the elderly. Among the new topics discussed are the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act of 2023; the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act of 2017; Social Security changes for married couples and certain unmarried couples; SSI in-kind support and maintenance calculation changes; retirement fund developments under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022; changes in Medicare and Medicaid coverage; ethical considerations discussed in The ACTEC Commentaries on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (2023); and important decisions by the United States Supreme Court.