Atlanta’s rapidly aging population, combined with Georgia’s complex Medicaid eligibility rules and a significant veterans community, creates strong demand for elder law attorneys who specialize in the intersection of long-term care planning, asset protection, and benefits access. Georgia’s Medicaid program has specific asset and income requirements that differ from many other states, and the planning strategies available to protect a family’s assets while qualifying a loved one for nursing home Medicaid coverage require detailed knowledge of Georgia rules that general estate planning attorneys often lack. The Atlanta area’s large number of continuing care retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and memory care units makes nursing home Medicaid planning a particularly active area of elder law practice. Veterans in the Atlanta area also have access to VA Aid and Attendance benefits that can supplement long-term care costs, and elder law attorneys with VA accreditation can help eligible veterans and surviving spouses access these benefits.
When choosing an elder law attorney in Atlanta, look specifically for attorneys who hold the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation, which requires demonstrated elder law experience and a rigorous examination. Ask whether the attorney is familiar with Georgia’s specific Medicaid waiver programs and the county-level variation in how Medicaid applications are processed. For families with a loved one already in a nursing home, timing is critical — Georgia’s Medicaid look-back period is five years, and any transfers of assets within that period can result in disqualification penalties. Red flags include non-attorneys offering Medicaid planning services, advisors who suggest transferring all assets to family members without a thorough legal analysis, and attorneys who offer generic estate plans without addressing long-term care financing in detail.
Top Elder Law Attorney Companies in Atlanta
1. The Eldercare Practice of Daniel D. Munster
Founded: 1999
Leadership: Daniel D. Munster
Website: https://www.georgiaelderlaw.net
Awards & Recognition: U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in Georgia every year since 2019; Best Lawyers in America in Elder Law 2020-present and Trusts & Estates 2019-present; Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating every year since 2005
Services:
- Nursing home Medicaid planning and eligibility
- Asset protection planning
- Long-term care planning
- Veterans Aid and Attendance planning
- Special needs planning
- Eldercare planning
- Estate planning
About: Daniel Munster founded his elder law practice in 1999 after serving four years as a staff attorney with the Senior Citizens Law Project at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, giving him a foundation of advocacy for older Atlantans built before private practice. His consistent recognition in Best Lawyers in America for Elder Law and Trusts & Estates, combined with the highest Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating since 2005, reflects sustained excellence over more than two decades of practice. The firm serves clients across all of Georgia with virtual meeting options for clients for whom travel is challenging. Their U.S. News Best Law Firms ranking every year since 2019 places them among Georgia’s most recognized elder law practices.
2. Hurley Elder Care Law
Website: https://www.hurleyeclaw.com
Services:
- Medicaid planning and eligibility
- Asset protection
- Veterans benefits (Aid and Attendance)
- Care coordination with nursing and social work professionals
- Long-term care planning
- Special needs planning
About: Hurley Elder Care Law distinguishes itself from most elder law firms by combining legal advice with a multi-disciplinary team that includes nurses and social workers, addressing both the legal and care coordination dimensions of elder care planning. This integrated model is particularly valuable for families navigating the complex interplay between medical care needs and Medicaid eligibility, where care decisions directly affect legal planning options. The firm’s expertise in both Medicaid and VA benefits allows families to access all available public benefit programs simultaneously. Their approach addresses the reality that elder care planning is not purely a legal problem but a comprehensive family management challenge.
3. Pollan Elder & Disability Law
Leadership: David Paul Pollan
Website: https://www.pollanelderdisabilitylaw.com
Services:
- Nursing home Medicaid planning
- Asset protection
- Medicaid waivers
- Medicaid appeals and subrogation
- Special needs trusts
- SSI and Medicaid for disability
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Estate planning
About: David Paul Pollan and his firm have practiced elder and disability law for over 30 years, building one of Atlanta’s most comprehensive practices in the intersection of elder law, disability law, and government benefits. The firm serves individuals, their caregivers, and families across all counties in Georgia with the full range of elder and special needs legal services, from initial Medicaid eligibility planning through complex appeals of Medicaid denials and estate recovery actions. Their three decades of practice encompass deep familiarity with how Georgia’s Medicaid rules have evolved over time, which is directly relevant to planning strategies that must account for past transactions and transfers. The firm’s combined elder and disability law practice serves families navigating both aging and disability-related needs simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should Atlanta families start Medicaid planning for a parent or spouse?
A: Medicaid planning should begin as early as possible — ideally years before nursing home care becomes necessary. Georgia’s Medicaid program imposes a five-year look-back period during which any asset transfers are reviewed for potential disqualification penalties. Planning well in advance of the need for care allows families to implement strategies that are not available in a crisis situation, such as certain trust structures that require the look-back period to pass before they produce Medicaid eligibility benefits. Even families that are already in a crisis — with a loved one entering a nursing home imminently — can often benefit from elder law counsel, as certain allowances and planning strategies remain available even after nursing home admission.
Q: How much does elder law representation cost in Atlanta?
A: Elder law attorneys in Atlanta typically charge for an initial comprehensive planning consultation, commonly ranging from $300 to $500, which is applied toward any subsequent work. Full Medicaid planning engagements, including the preparation of required legal documents such as trusts and powers of attorney, typically cost $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the complexity of the situation and the assets involved. Annual Medicaid applications and ongoing planning for clients with complex situations may involve additional fees. Given that a year of nursing home care in Atlanta can cost $80,000 to $120,000 or more, the cost of proper Medicaid planning is typically a small fraction of the potential benefit to the family.
Q: What is the difference between elder law and estate planning in Atlanta?
A: Estate planning primarily focuses on how assets will be distributed after death, including wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. Elder law encompasses estate planning but also addresses the financial and legal challenges of aging while still alive, including long-term care financing, Medicaid eligibility, nursing home rights, guardianship and conservatorship, Veterans’ benefits, and advance healthcare directives. An estate planning attorney drafts documents; an elder law attorney designs strategies to protect assets, access benefits, and manage care needs in a way that integrates legal, financial, and care planning. For families with aging parents or members facing chronic illness, an elder law specialist provides planning that a general estate planning attorney may not have the specific expertise to deliver.
Conclusion
Elder care planning in Atlanta requires attorneys with specific knowledge of Georgia’s Medicaid rules, Veterans’ benefit programs, and the practical realities of nursing home care financing. Daniel D. Munster’s practice brings over 20 years of elder law focus with consistent Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms recognition. Hurley Elder Care Law provides a unique integrated legal and care coordination model that addresses both legal planning and practical care management. Pollan Elder & Disability Law offers over 30 years of elder and disability law practice covering the full spectrum of public benefits, guardianship, and estate planning needs. Contact any of these firms to begin protecting your family’s assets and care options.