Solo Agers and the Law : Strategies for Clients without Family
Date: Jun 5, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick,
Member Price: $177.00
Non-Member Price: $209.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Estate Law, For All Attorneys, Senior Lawyers
Earn up to 4 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
- Shana Siegel
- Wanderpolo & Siegel, Bridgewater
Presenters
As the population of older adults grows, a rising number are aging without traditional family support. These solo aging clients—individuals without spouses, children, or close relatives to act as decision-makers—face distinct legal challenges that demand specialized estate planning, financial safeguards, and long-term care strategies. Conventional legal frameworks often assume the presence of family members to manage these affairs, leaving solo agers vulnerable to gaps in protection, state intervention, or financial exploitation.
Take part in this unique program to build your expertise to effectively counsel solo aging clients. Learn how to structure estate plans when there are no natural heirs, appoint professional fiduciaries for financial and healthcare decisions, and implement safeguards against state-imposed guardianships. Our experts will also explore legal strategies to prevent financial fraud, secure stable housing and care, and navigate long-term planning without family involvement.
As this demographic grows, attorneys with specialized knowledge in solo aging law will be uniquely positioned to meet increasing demand. Join us to gain a strategic edge in expanding your practice, offering tailored legal solutions that promote autonomy, financial security, and well-being for solo aging clients.
Program Agenda:
- 9:00 | Welcome and Introduction: The Growing Demand for Solo Aging Legal Services
As the number of solo aging clients increases, attorneys must understand their unique legal needs and vulnerabilities. Get an introduction to the key demographic trends shaping the solo aging population, gaps in traditional legal frameworks, and why attorneys must develop specialized strategies to meet the needs of this client base. - 9:10| Estate Planning for Solo Agers: Managing Assets Without Traditional Heirs
Traditional estate planning assumes that family members will serve as executors, trustees, and beneficiaries, but solo agers require alternative arrangements. Explore strategies for appointing non-family fiduciaries, preventing intestacy, structuring charitable bequests, managing tax consequences and ensuring final arrangements are legally binding. - 9:40 | Substitute Decision-Making: Legal Tools to Avoid Court-Imposed Guardianship
When solo aging clients do not have legally appointed decision-makers, courts may impose guardianships that may not reflect the client’s preferences. Beyond just drafting legal documents, attorneys are now focusing on helping clients develop a plan for solo aging. Update your skills for drafting durable powers of attorney and healthcare proxies that ensure financial and medical decisions are made within a structured plan according to a client’s wishes while avoiding unnecessary guardianship proceedings. Explore how to customize documents for the needs of the solo ager, how to create contingency plans in case designated fiduciaries become unavailable, and how to develop a support team for your clients. - 10:15 | Break
- 10:25 | Housing, Health Care Advocacy and Long-Term Care Planning for Solo Agers
Housing transitions, declining health and long-term care planning present significant challenges for solo agers. Explore strategies for securing stable housing, advocating for care needs, structuring long-term care plans, and protecting assets while ensuring access to high-quality care. Attorneys can help clients put together a comprehensive plan for solo aging and provide practical strategies for their long-term care needs. Learn how to lay out clear guidance for fiduciaries, including who will manage home maintenance and daily tasks to optimize their clients’ qualify of life. Gain insights from attorneys who have successfully implemented these strategies to support solo aging clients in maintaining independence and quality of life. - 11:05 | Financial Protections & Preventing Exploitation of Solo Aging Clients
Solo agers are at a heightened risk of financial exploitation and fraud due to the absence of family oversight. Our experts will examine legal safeguards that attorneys can implement to protect clients from financial abuse, including appointing independent fiduciaries, implementing oversight mechanisms, and taking legal action against exploitation. - 11:45 | Building a Niche Legal Practice for Solo Aging Clients
As the number of solo aging clients grows, attorneys have an opportunity to develop a thriving practice in this emerging area of law. Discover insights into how to market legal services to solo agers, expand your firm model to address care needs and/or build referral networks, and manage fiduciary relationships ethically. - 12:25 | Closing Remarks
- 12:30 | Program Ends
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