The Elder Law Coach

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Rima Nathan of Florida State University’s Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic about training law students to serve older adults with skill, care, and clear ethics. We dig into financial exploitation, crypto scams, and dementia related capacity so we protect clients without rushing to guardianship. • running an elder law clinic that functions like legal aid for adults 60 an...

Send us Fan Mail We break down the 2026 update to Rule 1.14 and why a dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean a client loses the right to sign legal documents. We share real stories from nursing homes and hospitals, then translate the rule comments into practical steps that help clients keep as much autonomy as possible while we still manage risk and undue influence.  • why presuming incapa...

Send us Fan Mail Most lawyers can draft a trust. Far fewer can explain which trust actually solves a client’s elder law problem when dementia, long-term care costs, or Medicaid eligibility show up at the worst possible time. We get practical about what each major trust is designed to do, where the common misunderstandings start, and how to build estate planning that holds up under real pressure. W...

Send us Fan Mail We share a seven-step intake method that turns stressed family stories into a clear Medicaid plan, backed by simple tools that raise trust and close rates. From appreciation to a confident close, we show how to ask, verify, and present value with precision. • leading with gratitude to set tone • letting clients talk to build trust • drilling down on status of care, assets, income...

Send us Fan Mail We map the biggest 2025 trends helping older adults stay independent, from smart homes and AI wearables to telehealth, holistic wellness, and memory care training. Practical takeaways show how families and attorneys can plan for safer, calmer aging at home. • smart home controls for safety and routine • predictive AI wearables that flag infections early • telehealth workflows that...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack how predatory marriages target vulnerable seniors and why marriage rights can override estate plans. We share practical steps for attorneys and families to spot red flags, fortify documents, and protect assets before litigation becomes the only option. • definition and common scenarios of predatory marriage • key red flags including isolation and capacity changes • how e...

Send us Fan Mail We map how AI and zero-click search are changing legal marketing, and we show a clear path from traditional SEO to answer engine optimization. We share practical steps to build Q&A content, apply FAQ schema, and earn citations that turn AI answers into paying clients. • why zero-click answers reduce site traffic • how answer engine optimization differs from SEO • building ques...

Send us Fan Mail We lay out the biggest myths about elder law and show how a compassionate, human-centered practice can protect families from crushing care costs while giving attorneys more control and purpose. From Medicaid and VA benefits to avoiding guardianship and probate, we share practical paths to pivot and thrive. • elder law as more than simple estate planning • drafting with long-term c...

Send us Fan Mail Most elder law firms try to speak to everyone and end up convincing no one. We take you inside a practical, field-tested approach to defining three high-value audiences—seniors, adult children, and caregivers—and crafting messages and channels that meet each where they already are. Seniors want independence, asset protection, and clarity about Medicaid and probate. Their adult chi...

Send us Fan Mail We share a step‑by‑step path to launch and grow an elder law practice, from education and mentorship to marketing that actually reaches seniors and their families. Along the way, we explain flat fees, specialization, and why calm counseling wins more trust than courtroom swagger. • choosing elder law for meaningful, non‑adversarial work • compressing years of learning with coachin...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack long-term care insurance through an elder law lens, from traditional policies and hybrid designs to short-term coverage that pairs with Medicaid timing. Clear frameworks help you advise clients on affordability, underwriting, and when a trust outperforms a premium. • Why a 70% care risk changes planning • Traditional long-term care insurance pros and cons • Hybrid annuit...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if there's a faster way to master elder law without years of costly mistakes? In this episode, Todd Whatley unveils his groundbreaking Transformational Weekend Summit, a revolutionary program designed to compress what typically takes years to learn into just one intensive weekend. Drawing from his 26 years as a practicing elder law attorney, Todd shares how his...

Send us Fan Mail Todd Whatley reveals the transformative power of attorneys and financial advisors working side-by-side to provide comprehensive elder law services that truly meet clients' needs. Drawing from 25 years of experience and recent success implementing this collaborative approach, Todd explains how breaking down professional silos creates superior outcomes and increases profitabili...

Send us Fan Mail Analyzing a real client case reveals how proper business valuation prevented millions in estate tax liability for a family business succession plan.  • Late 70s couple with three children (one running the family business) needed trust updates • Initial assumption: $6 million estate ($4M personal assets, $2M business) was non-taxable • Deeper analysis revealed business actually wor...

Send us Fan Mail Todd Whatley tackles the complex topic of irrevocable trusts in elder law practice, focusing primarily on Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts and when they're appropriate for clients. He draws on personal experience to provide practical guidance on implementing these powerful legal tools correctly. • Irrevocable trusts require relinquishing control and ownership of assets, makin...

Send us Fan Mail Elder law attorneys regularly encounter clients with dementia, yet many misunderstand that a diagnosis doesn't automatically prevent someone from signing legal documents. Todd Whatley explains when and how individuals with dementia can execute valid legal documents and avoid unnecessary guardianships. • Understanding dementia as a progressive condition affecting memory and re...

Send us Fan Mail Todd Whatley continues his trust-focused discussion by exploring the critical yet often overlooked process of trustee selection. He examines why this decision deserves more attention than the typical "oldest child" default approach, emphasizing that being a trustee is a demanding job requiring specific qualifications. • Trustee responsibilities include managing assets, e...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to identify and combat elder abuse effectively? Join us as we sit down with Leslie Albrecht, a leading authority on elder abuse, who shares her transformative journey from her early days with the San Diego Police Department to establishing the pioneering Elder Abuse Unit in 2000. Leslie offers a candid look at the struggles of recognizing elder abuse as...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to managing your client's family's essential information with the transformative insights from our special guest, Nat Robinson, creator of Trustworthy. Discover how this groundbreaking platform acts as a "family operating system," providing a secure and efficient way to organize, store, and share critical documents. Nat shares his personal jo...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the delicate balance between protecting the rights of elderly clients and preserving their autonomy in light of diminished capacity. Todd emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of elder law attorneys to advocate for their clients and the importance of legally empowering them through comprehensive powers of attorney.  • Understanding the implications of dimin...

Send us Fan Mail Digital assets are becoming an essential component of estate planning, yet many clients do not realize their significance. This episode discusses practical steps and legal considerations for addressing digital assets in elder law. • Importance of planning for digital assets  • Conducting a digital asset inventory  • Challenges of accessing digital assets posthumously  • Creating a...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast episode emphasizes the importance of probate avoidance and explores various strategies to ensure smoother transitions of assets upon death. Todd Whatley discusses ethical estate planning practices, focusing on revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership as ways to bypass probate. • Understanding the pitfalls of defaulting to probate  • The r...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the vital role of special needs trusts in elder law, discussing their importance for families and how attorneys can incorporate them into their practices. With practical marketing strategies and insights, listeners learn how to serve this unique community effectively. • Understanding the significance of special needs trusts  • Navigating client needs in...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the intricate world of estate and gift tax exemptions with Todd Whatley, the Elder Law Coach. What could the re-election of President Trump mean for your financial future? As Todd guides us through the potential shifts in estate planning, he delves into the looming reduction of the estate tax exemption from $13.61 million per individual to a potentially game-changing $5 m...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secret to revolutionizing your elder law practice's goal-setting strategy with Todd Whatley as your guide. Traditional methods often leave us short of our targets, but what if your objectives were not only clear but quantifiable as well? Through the power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), Todd shares insights on how you can set short-term, qualitative objective...