Online LL.M. in Elder Law

LAW 8000. AGING AND THE LAW. 3 Credits.

This course examines various issues in elder law, including the psychology and physiology of aging. Topics include autonomy, surrogate decision-making, elder abuse, ethics, aging in place, and planning for long-term care, ageism, discrimination, the criminal justice system, and interdisciplinary approaches to client representation.

LAW 8020. DISABILITY LAW-LLM ELDER LW. 3 Credits.

This course will cover the foundations of Special Needs and Disability Law: the issues, laws and regulations concerning individuals with disabilities, including access, employment, education, services and benefits, civil rights, discrimination, Social Security Disability, and the hearings and appeals process. (Note: Long-Term Care Planning is required, but with approval of the Director of the LL.M. in Elder law, Disability Law may be substituted.).

LAW 8025. ESTATE&GIFT TX PLAN/ELD CLIENT. 3 Credits.

This course examines the federal transfer tax system, and its effects on various estate planning arrangements, including joint tenancies, reserved life estates, durable powers of attorney, various types of trusts (including special needs trusts) and contractual arrangements for the transfer of wealth. Although the course will examine the basic planning and gifting concepts used for estates of all sizes, the focus will be on the gift and estate planning and tax provisions for the typical elder law client.

LAW 8030. ETHICS IN THE PRACT OF ELDR LW. 3 Credits.

This course reviews the ethical issues frequently presented to an attorney representing people who are older or disabled through an examination of the Model Rules and comments, Restatements, and other authorities. Issues covered include "who is the client?", loyalty, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, clients with diminished capacity, former clients, prospective clients, joint representation, and the lawyer's role as counselor.

LAW 8040. GOVT & PRIVATE HEALTH BENEFITS. 3 Credits.

This course examines the various benefits plans provided by private and governmental health plans, including Medicare and Medicaid programs, managed care plans, regulation and access, policy issues and recent developments.

LAW 8035. GUARDIANSHIPS & ALTERNATIVES. 3 Credits.

This course examines the causes of incapacity, behaviors of those with dementia, aphasia, etc., alternatives to guardianship for property and health care decisions (durable power of attorney, property management tactics as alternatives, advance directives), capacity assessments, the process of declaring a person incapacitated, selection and appointment of a guardian, administration, closing of a guardianship, and mediation.

LAW 8048. INTRODUCTION TO ELDER LAW. 3 Credits.

This course is for those LLM students who have limited or no experience in Elder Law and is a condition of admission. This introductory course is a survey of all of the unique areas of elder law. The emphasis is on introducing the student to the issues and vocabulary of elder law. Subjects include Guardianship, Government Benefits; Estate Planning and Ethics. Exam, 3 credits.

LAW 8050. LONG TERM CARE PLANNING. 3 Credits.

This course examines the issues concerning long term care, including planning for long-term care, services, paying for care, including long-term care insurance, provisions of services including in-home and institutional care and the policies concerning long term care.

LAW 8047. REPRESENTING CLIENTS WHO ARE ELDERLY OR HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS. 3 Credits.

This course examines the substantive law and strategies in representing people who are elderly or who have special needs including Medicaid, Guardianship litigation, Probate litigation, SSD Appeals. A number of nationally known experts in subject matter areas are guest lectures. The course has a skills exercise and an exam.

LAW 8055. RETIREMENT PLANNING. 3 Credits.

This course examines institutional forms of retirement planning, including family and community support, employer-sponsored pension plans, and personal savings in the form of tangible and intangible assets. The course also looks at the federal income tax consequences of pension plan distributions, spousal rights and benefits under employer-sponsored pension plans, employer and third-party service provider fiduciary duties and fiduciary liability issues, and estate planning strategies related to retirement savings.

LAW 8070. SELECT TOPICS IN ELDER LAW. 1 Credit.

This three-day in person course is in conjunction with the Annual Special Needs Trust conference. Students attend two days of the conference and a third day on campus, covering issues that are currently being discussed and debated in the elder law profession as a whole. Exam; 1 credit.

LAW 8090. VETERANS BENEFITS-LLM ELDER LW. 3 Credits.

This course examines the issues that arise for veterans regarding the application, grant, and denial of benefits within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The course will cover the various programs and benefits available, eligibility for programs and services, and the hearings and appeals process.