California Chapters of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Advocating on behalf of and providing legal services for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.

Who Are We?

The California Chapters of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA) are professional associations of attorneys who are dedicated to assisting clients with public benefits, probate and estate planning, guardianship/conservatorship, and health and long-term care planning.

The types of issues and problems we help clients with include:
  • wills
  • estate planning
  • trusts
  • health care advance directives
  • durable powers of attorney
  • guardianship
  • long-term care planning
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • trusts for people with disabilities

NAELA membership is comprised of attorneys in the private and public sectors, as well as judges, professors of law, and students. 

What Do We Do?

The California NAELA Chapters provide continuing legal education to members and advocates to protect the needs of older adults and people with special needs.  Members must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with the state Bar Association (or a full-time law student, judge or law professor) and must be members of the national organization of NAELA. Founded in 1987, NAELA is a national association of elder law and special needs planning attorneys devoted to educating and training those who advocate for and meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. NAELA endorses and advocates for the following:

  • Advocating for long term care needs.
  • Implementing accessible services regardless of age, illness or disability.
  • Maintaining the highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social well-being for each person.
  • Enforcing the right of competent individuals to make their own health care decisions.
 For more information visit the NAELA national website umbrella organization.

About NAELA

Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities.