Welcome to SoCal NAELA
The Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Who We Are
NAELA is a national association of lawyers who work with older clients, disabled clients of all ages, and their families. Established in 1987, NAELA provides its members a resource for education, information, networking and assistance with the many specialized issues involved with legal services for seniors and people with special needs. NAELA provides the general public information, advocacy on legislation affecting the elderly and those with special needs, and assistance in finding qualified attorneys who specialize in the legal needs of the elderly and those with special needs.
What does it mean to be a “NAELA” attorney?
Southern California NAELA attorneys are uniquely qualified to help elders maximize public benefits such as Medi-Cal, Social Security, and Veterans Pension Benefits as well as to protect the aged from being victimized by hospitals, nursing facilities and the public at large. While all other state Bars have a stand-alone elder law section which helps guide the public to the right attorney, unfortunately California does not. That means many people unwittingly hire attorney who may practice a small aspect of elder law (for example, estate planning – some of whom may even be certified specialists in estate planning), as opposed to a skilled elder law attorney, which may result in seniors obtaining less than optimal outcomes. Another unique challenge to finding a qualified elder law attorney is ensuring that they have adequate training and access to knowledge in this ever-changing field of law. That's why it is so important for elders and those who love them, to do their homework and hire an elder law attorney who is an active member of Southern California NAELA.
Our Mission
SoCal NAELA is committed to supporting attorneys serving the legal needs of aging adults and persons with disabilities while aspiring to hold themselves to high ethical standards of practice. We co-host an Annual Summit specific to keep us current with developments in the ever changing landscape of California Elder Law and Special Needs issues.
Online: September 4, 2019
Speaker: Stephen Dale
How the new POMS impacts CA practitioners who draft 3rd Party / 1st Party SNTs
1 hr recording (no CLE credit for online)
- Member Price: $50
- Non-Member Price: $70
This September’s quarterly meeting will focus on the attorney’s fees changes to the POMS and its effect on us as practitioners and advocates.
- Will drafting a Special Needs Trust put you in jail?
- Will it cause you to lose your Bar license?
This will not be a standard lecture, but a detailed discussion and conversation led by Steven Dale which focuses on how the new POMS effect California and Region 9 practitioners.
Specifically, what are California practitioners doing, where are we going, what can we do, and what we should be doing? In addition, since our Region is the epicenter for reviewing special needs trust in order to terminate beneficiaries’ public benefits, we will also be discussing emerging trends in Region 9 with an eye towards how California NAELA can effect change and ensure that our vulnerable population continues to be served.
Save the Date:
2020 California NAELA Joint Summit
March 6 - 7, 2020
Location: San Diego at the Andaz Hotel
- Hotel Rates: coming soon
- Price: TBD
Details of topics shall be updated here, as speakers are confirmed.
This year will be the best year yet!
Southern California Chapter's new 2019-2020 Advisory Board (or seasoned practitioners) will be actively involved in topic selection and speaker recruitment!
Find a NAELA Attorney
This button will connect you to the national database.
Are you an Elder Law Attorney in Southern California?
National membership is $425 annually for new members and $525 for renewals. Membership runs January - December
For those who join after July 1st, the dues are prorated.
Southern California Chapter membership is $75 annually. National membership is required for state chapter membership.
For those who join after July 1st, the dues are prorated.
Southern California Chapter membership is $75 annually. National membership is required for state chapter membership.
