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The “Empty Office” Philosophy

The sign on the door reads “Olds Law Offices, P.C. Elder Law Attorney”. You knock on the door but the office is empty-where is the elder law attorney?

I am out on a house call – yes, elder law attorneys still make house calls. A paralegal and I have witnessed a dying man sign legal documents and immediately afterwards heard his daughter call for an ambulance to take him to the hospital. When the paramedics arrive, we hear the daughter explain that her father wants pain killing medication but no treatment to lengthen his life.

This is all part of a normal day in the life of an elder law attorney. Elder law attorneys are often found in the halls of nursing homes because their clients can’t come to them – it goes with the territory.

At other times, the office may be empty because the elder law attorney is visiting a client in an intensive care unit. The reason for that is usually that someone is unconscious and no clear directives were written in advance about their health care. The lawyer then becomes a combination social worker, priest and counselor to work with the doctors, the hospital administrator, family members who may disagree on the proper treatment for their parents, etc. to work out a solution that sustains the dignity of the elder.

You will often find the elder law attorney in his or her office. People may be doing a living trust to avoid probate. Or perhaps, family members whose parent is going into a nursing home may be seeking advice as to the best way to give that elder the most comfortable and satisfying lifestyle possible including physical, mental and economic aspects.

The attorney may be in the office counseling with the family whose parent desperately needs institutional care but is unwilling to go there voluntarily and doesn’t understand how serious their situation is. The Elder law attorney may advise the family to file a guardianship in court to lovingly force their aging parent to get the kind of help that they so desperately need.

The Next time you peer knock on the door of an elder law attorney’s empty office, the attorney may be in Court actively pursuing the guardianship for the betterment of the elder at risk.

I consider my practice to be a sacred trust for the betterment of my senior clients. I genuinely try to treat each client as if they were my own family member.

“I am Russell S. Olds. I am that Elder Law Attorney. I am also a senior. I have 30 years experience practicing law. I have prepared more than 3500 trusts. Not only do I come to you with a Law degree and the full knowledge of the law, I also have an insurance and securities license. I am fully equipped to help you and your loved ones get the assistance they deserve, while legally protecting your family’s financial stability. I want to help you plan for your future and that of the people you love. The people who count on you. Isn’t it nice to know there’s someone you can count on?”