Just returned from Chiacgo where I was both an exhibitor and speaker at the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association annual conference. I along with others have wondered what this LCP type of practice is all about.
From a non-lawyers perspective, I view LCP as a practice that alligns legal services with health care management services addressing the legal and healthcare needs during the changing ‘continum of care’ time period of the client. It apparently requires a leap of faith by the lawyer in investing in and properly structuring a professional care coordinator. The lawyers who do this obviously derive great personal satisfaction supporting those clients who have the need for this type of legal/healthcare support. A number of LCP lawyers state that a common theme from the comments of the surviving spouse or other family members is the tremendous value they derived from having a Life Care Plan place after suffering the loss of a spouse or parent.
It will be interesting to see if this relatively new model of practice for elder law can thrive in the dynamic legal and health care environment. Perhaps all the changes in the legal and health care environment are the very reason LCP practices will thrive. It appears that this practice area can be effective for the client and profitable and personally rewarding to the experienced elder law attorney. The LCP practice model has left the launch pad and I suspect we will be hearing much more in the years ahead. I hope we do.