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Legal Topics

American Bar Association: Public Resources
In this “consumer law” section of its website, the ABA offers a wide range of reliable information on topics of interest to the general public.

Legal and Financial Matters
Topics include estate planning, advance directives, legal aid, long-term care insurance and more. From: AARP.

Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Long Term Ombudsman program of Santa Clara County, run by Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, serves as the county's Ombudsman for older adults living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure they are being cared for properly.

National Council on Elder Abuse
This organization, maintained by the U.S. Administration on Aging, serves as a gateway to resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It offers research and statistics, community education programs as well as links to laws related to elder abuse. Another important feature is an up-to-date listing of state elder abuse helplines and hotlines across the country.

NOLO Press Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
This webpage from NOLO Press provides articles and legal updates to meet people's estate planning needs.

Senior Law Home Page
Through this website (maintained by a private law firm), senior citizens, their families, attorneys, social workers, and financial planners can access information about elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, guardianship, estate planning, trusts and the rights of the elderly and disabled.

State Bar of California - Consumer Information Pamphlets
State Bar Association offers wide range of reproducible fact sheets and pamphlets, many of particular interest to seniors; topics include: wills, estate plans, living trusts and elder abuse.

Your Living Will: The New Advance Health Care Directive
From the California Medical Association, this site features information about (as well as a non-reproducible sample copy of) advance health care directives which a person can use to appoint a health care agent and to express their health care wishes. A separate living will is not necessary if wishes about life-sustaining treatment have been specified in an Advance Health Care Directive.