The Elder Law Coach

Todd Whatley
  • 5.0 (9)
  • BUSINESS

Todd Whatley is a Certified Elder Law Attorney, practicing attorney and now the Elder Law Coach. His passion is to help attorneys become proficient Elder Law Attorneys. He still practices law with over 22 years of experience with offices in two states. He is the Past President of the National Elder Law Foundation, the ABA accredited certifying organization for the ABA. He LOVES working with new and experienced attorneys to help them have the best job in the world and help a great population. Visit him at www.TheElderLawCoach.com. This podcast was formally known as Elder Law in a Box.

  1. APR 2

    Trusts Elder Law Attorneys Actually (Should) Use

    Send us Fan Mail Most lawyers can draft a trust. Far fewer can explain which trust actually solves a client’s elder law problem when dementia, long-term care costs, or Medicaid eligibility show up at the worst possible time. We get practical about what each major trust is designed to do, where the common misunderstandings start, and how to build estate planning that holds up under real pressure. We walk through the revocable living trust as the classic probate-avoidance tool and why it’s still valuable for privacy and incapacity planning. Then we tackle the mistake we see constantly: clients assuming a revocable trust protects assets from Medicaid. It doesn’t, because Medicaid eligibility turns on benefit and control. From there, we talk about irrevocable trusts and why “irrevocable” alone means nothing for Medicaid planning unless the trust is drafted so the applicant can’t benefit in ways that make assets countable. That’s where the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust comes in, plus the five-year lookback and the judgment calls about what should and should not be transferred. We also unpack special needs trusts in plain language, including the critical difference between first-party special needs trusts with a Medicaid payback requirement and third-party special needs trusts that let families support a disabled loved one without wrecking benefits. We round out with subtrust planning for kids to protect inheritances from divorce, bankruptcy, or lawsuits, and pooled trusts as a smart option when the amount is too small to justify a standalone trustee arrangement. If you want deeper training, check out the upcoming Transformation Weekend details at theelderlawcoach.com, and if this helped, subscribe, share it with another attorney, and leave a review. Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    22 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    Ep. 63 Seven Steps To Run A High‑Closing Medicaid Meeting

    Send us Fan Mail We share a seven-step intake method that turns stressed family stories into a clear Medicaid plan, backed by simple tools that raise trust and close rates. From appreciation to a confident close, we show how to ask, verify, and present value with precision. • leading with gratitude to set tone • letting clients talk to build trust • drilling down on status of care, assets, income • summarizing facts and confirming in writing • setting fee ranges tied to value protected • analyzing and explaining the Medicaid plan • using whiteboards and checklists to simplify • closing on net savings after fees • Miller Trust tips for income cap states • using a free intake toolbox to streamline Email Trisha@TheElderLawCoach.com and tell her you want the initial meeting toolbox that Todd talked about Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    31 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    Ep 62 How Smart Homes, AI, And Telehealth Help Seniors Stay Independent

    Send us Fan Mail We map the biggest 2025 trends helping older adults stay independent, from smart homes and AI wearables to telehealth, holistic wellness, and memory care training. Practical takeaways show how families and attorneys can plan for safer, calmer aging at home. • smart home controls for safety and routine • predictive AI wearables that flag infections early • telehealth workflows that speed access to care • holistic wellness across movement, sleep and nutrition • growth of memory care with staff-wide training • benefits of intergenerational living for all ages • senior-friendly public spaces and housing options • pathways for seniors to stay in the workforce • resources for coaching and practice growth Please go to the theodorlawcoach.com and you can learn about a lot of our our services We will be sending out emails and different things announcing that Email us Todd at the Elderlawcoach.com. Also include Trisha, T-R-I-S-H-A, at the Elderlawcoach.com Visit www.theelderlawcoach.com Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    16 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    Ep 61 Predatory Marriages Explained

    Send us Fan Mail We unpack how predatory marriages target vulnerable seniors and why marriage rights can override estate plans. We share practical steps for attorneys and families to spot red flags, fortify documents, and protect assets before litigation becomes the only option. • definition and common scenarios of predatory marriage • key red flags including isolation and capacity changes • how elective share and joint accounts bypass wills • attorney duties around capacity and undue influence • proactive planning with trusts, POAs, and directives • family involvement and oversight after late-life marriage • why DIY documents fail under court scrutiny • timing and documentation to validate capacity at signing You can always call the office at 479-601-4119. Visit www.theelderlumcoach.com to learn about Todd’s coaching program. Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    19 min

  5. 11/12/2025

    Ep 60 AI Changed Search; Your Marketing Must Too

    Send us Fan Mail We map how AI and zero-click search are changing legal marketing, and we show a clear path from traditional SEO to answer engine optimization. We share practical steps to build Q&A content, apply FAQ schema, and earn citations that turn AI answers into paying clients. • why zero-click answers reduce site traffic • how answer engine optimization differs from SEO • building question-first content that AI can quote • using real client questions from workshops and intake • applying FAQ schema for structured clarity • earning citations with guest posts and partnerships • writing specific, decision-focused queries and answers • tools to find high-value questions and measure impact Please subscribe. Please go to the website, theelderlawcoach.com. There's a lot of good information there and a way that you can can schedule a time to talk to me. Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    11 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Ep 58 Elder Law Myths, Debunked

    Send us Fan Mail We lay out the biggest myths about elder law and show how a compassionate, human-centered practice can protect families from crushing care costs while giving attorneys more control and purpose. From Medicaid and VA benefits to avoiding guardianship and probate, we share practical paths to pivot and thrive. • elder law as more than simple estate planning • drafting with long-term care and incapacity in mind • Medicaid eligibility and ethical asset protection • VA benefits for veterans and surviving spouses • interpreting long-term care insurance contracts • avoiding guardianship and probate through better documents • why the work is technical but learnable with coaching • transferable skills from family law and litigation • choosing litigation or a counseling-focused practice • building a client-centered schedule with real impact Go to theelderlawcoach.com, sign up, let’s talk Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    14 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    Ep 59 Building the correct Avatar, Not Guesswork: Targeted Elder Law Growth

    Send us Fan Mail Most elder law firms try to speak to everyone and end up convincing no one. We take you inside a practical, field-tested approach to defining three high-value audiences—seniors, adult children, and caregivers—and crafting messages and channels that meet each where they already are. Seniors want independence, asset protection, and clarity about Medicaid and probate. Their adult children want quick answers, financial safety for mom and dad, and easy ways to take action. Caregivers and healthcare providers want reliable experts they can confidently recommend. We break down how to build precise client avatars, then translate them into marketing that works: community events, church bulletins, senior centers, and tangible print for seniors; targeted Google Ads, SEO on phrases like Medicaid eligibility and nursing home costs, and short evergreen webinars for adult children; and small, high-impact sessions for caregivers that turn five conversations into dozens of referrals. You’ll hear why a simple monthly Q&A—no slides, just real answers—can outperform polished decks, and how consistency compounds trust over time. We also talk measurement and patience. Not every seminar or webinar converts next day, but people save resources and return when a crisis hits. Track sources, update Medicaid numbers, refresh materials, and keep testing until you find your stride. By narrowing focus on the clients you love to serve, aligning your channels with how each audience actually behaves, and offering clear next steps, you turn attention into appointments and appointments into lasting outcomes for families. If you’re ready to sharpen your strategy and grow with intention, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review telling us which channel delivers your best clients. Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    18 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    Ep 57 Learn The Essentials To Build, Price, And Market A Sustainable Elder Law Practice

    Send us Fan Mail We share a step‑by‑step path to launch and grow an elder law practice, from education and mentorship to marketing that actually reaches seniors and their families. Along the way, we explain flat fees, specialization, and why calm counseling wins more trust than courtroom swagger. • choosing elder law for meaningful, non‑adversarial work • compressing years of learning with coaching and mentorship • building forms, processes and clear timelines • marketing to seniors with talks and Q&A sessions • creating a referral network across cpAs, advisors and care teams • using digital content to reach adult children online • structuring flat fees and framing value against care costs • practicing as a specialist and educating the public • designing a balanced schedule with limited court time Please subscribe, please share, and visit www.theelderlawcoach.com to schedule a call with Todd Check out our new website www.TheElderLawCoach.com.

    25 min
See All (67)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Todd Whatley is a Certified Elder Law Attorney, practicing attorney and now the Elder Law Coach. His passion is to help attorneys become proficient Elder Law Attorneys. He still practices law with over 22 years of experience with offices in two states. He is the Past President of the National Elder Law Foundation, the ABA accredited certifying organization for the ABA. He LOVES working with new and experienced attorneys to help them have the best job in the world and help a great population. Visit him at www.TheElderLawCoach.com. This podcast was formally known as Elder Law in a Box.

Information

  • Creator
    Todd Whatley
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Elder Law Coach
  • Show Website
    The Elder Law Coach

You Might Also Like