When I first started working at the firm more than 20 years ago, I was in my early twenties and preparing to get married. At the time, the term “Elder Law” brought to mind older individuals living in nursing homes and families struggling with the financial and legal issues surrounding illness and long-term care. It felt far removed from my own life, but I learned that Elder Law touches families during every stage of life.
I began my career at the front desk, greeting clients and answering phones. Each day I spoke with families trying to put their affairs in order so that, if life unexpectedly changed, their loved ones would not be left overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. Some clients needed estate planning documents, while others sought guidance with Medicaid planning. Many families were also coping with the loss of a loved one and navigating the emotional and often overwhelming process of probate and estate administration.
As the years passed and I became a wife, a mother, and eventually watched my own father age, I came to truly understand the importance of this work at any age. Whether it is naming guardians for your children in a Will, establishing a Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney so that loved ones can make medical or financial decisions during a health care crisis, or simply planning ahead for the unexpected, these are issues that touch all of us — even though many people do not consider them until they are suddenly confronted with them.
Over time, my role at the firm evolved, and I began working more closely with attorneys and clients on probate and estate administration matters. Through these experiences, I realized that Elder Law is not simply about aging. It is about helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions with guidance, compassion, and preparation. It is about protecting the people we love and planning for moments we hope never come, but that inevitably touch us all in one way or another.
As our firm celebrates its 35th anniversary, I am grateful to have spent more than 20 years growing alongside a team dedicated to helping families through every stage of life. While Elder Law has evolved over the years, the heart of this work remains the same — guiding families with compassion, knowledge, and a commitment to protecting the people they love and providing peace of mind.
This week’s blog was written by our Senior Paralegal, Nadine Amador.
