Senior Legal Consumer Guide
This guide was developed as a supplement to the Senior Citizen Handbook (below) produced by the Virginia State Bar. The Senior Citizen Handbook is a valuable source of information on numerous issues that concern older adults and their families. Consumers are encouraged to read the Senior Citizen Handbook first, and when additional information is needed, refer to this guide. View Guide.

 The Senior Citizens Handbook is a legal resource for seniors, their families and caregivers to provide an overview of and contact information for opportunities and choices facing senior citizens today. Updated and completely revised, the Senior Citizens Handbook guides seniors with a summary of how specific laws affect Virginia's elder citizens and practical advice on issues facing seniors today with extensive resources, opportunities, and services available to senior citizens. Programs presented by the Senior Lawyers Conference utilizing the Senior Citizens Handbook are available to the public. For more information, to schedule a program, or to order copies of the Senior Citizens Handbook please call (804) 775-0576. View Handbook.

 Legislative Update for National Bills on Aging. Read more on all Aging related bills pending review.

Maximizing Seniors' Autonomy & Independence: Less Restrictive Alternatives to Guardianship. Read more about Guardianship, Will, Power of Attorney, Advance Directives and other legal documents for seniors.

 New Website for National Legal Resource Center
The U.S. Administration on Aging has launched a new website for the National Legal Resource Center (NLRC).  The NLRC empowers legal and aging services advocates with the resources necessary to provide high quality legal help to older adults who are facing direct threats to their ability to live independently in their homes and communities. For more information, visit:  www.nlrc.aoa.gov/

 Mediators Focus on Elder Issues  For years, divorcing couples have hired mediators to avoid court battles. Now, some mediators are starting to specialize in resolving disputes that relate to older adults, such as those over inheritances and caregiving.  Read more in this Wall Street Journal Article. 

National Consumer Law Center Training Webcasts As part of its National Elder Rights Training Project webcast series, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) recently presented The Hallmarks of Consumer Fraud Targeting Senior Victims: A Primer on How to Identify, Deter, and Defend Against Consumer Fraud. The presentation, which was hosted by Sara DePaul, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, discussed topics including fraudulent telemarketing, charity, and lottery scams, as well as tips for guarding against identity theft. The webcast and supplemental materials are available online. To access the webcast, along with other archived presentations, or to review the calendar of upcoming events, Click Here. Nuts and Bolts on Guardianship as Last Resort: The Basics on When to File and How to Maximize Autonomy. Click Here.