Not surprisingly, the answer is that it depends on your situation. If
you already have a good working relationship with an attorney, discuss
your particular legal needs with that attorney. Ask about your lawyer's
experience in the issues typical of elderlaw. If the attorney is
experienced in the areas of most concern to you, it is unlikely you will
wish to go elsewhere. If the attorney is unfamiliar with elderlaw
issues, ask the attorney for a referral.

In the medical profession, graduates of medical school all go on to
specialized training and can (clearly) hold themselves out as
specialists in a particular field of medicine; however, in the legal
profession, the issue of specialization is not as clear-cut.
Nevertheless, the American Bar Association has recently authorized the
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Foundation to conduct special
examinations leading to a specialization in elderlaw.  The specialty
certification process is very new for the legal profession so not many
lawyers have been certified.  Many attorneys who identify themselves as
elderlaw specialists join groups such as the National Academy of Elder
Law Attorneys and seek specialized training in the legal areas mentioned
earlier.