Elder law includes a broad range of legal issues related to elderly persons and those who may be entrusted with their financial, health care, housing, and estate planning decisions.
In Tennessee, elder law encompasses various legal matters affecting older adults and their caregivers, including estate planning, health care, long-term care planning, guardianship, conservatorship, and elder abuse protection. Estate planning may involve creating wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to manage an individual's affairs. Health care directives, such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care, are important for expressing an individual's medical treatment preferences. Tennessee also has specific statutes governing conservatorship, where a court appoints an individual or entity to manage the affairs of someone who cannot do so themselves due to incapacity. Additionally, the state has laws to protect the elderly from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, which are enforced by both civil and criminal sanctions. The Tennessee Adult Protection Act provides the framework for reporting and investigating elder abuse. It's important for individuals dealing with elder law issues to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable about the specific laws and regulations in Tennessee to ensure the rights and interests of the elderly are adequately protected.