Elder Law · Buncombe County
Elder Law Attorneys in Buncombe County
By Asheville Senior Care Guide · Updated July 2026
Elder law is a specialty, not just a service any lawyer offers. Elder law attorneys focus on the legal and financial side of aging: protecting assets, qualifying for Medicaid without losing everything, setting up powers of attorney and healthcare directives, guardianship, and special needs planning. For families facing a nursing home stay or a Medicaid spend-down, the right attorney can save far more than they cost. This directory lists the firms serving Buncombe County and, just as important, how to tell a real specialist from a generalist.
When you actually need one
Not every family needs an elder law attorney, but some situations genuinely call for one. Talk to a specialist if you are facing a nursing home stay and want to protect a spouse’s savings, if you are trying to qualify for Medicaid and worried about the five-year look-back, if there are significant assets or a family business involved, if someone can no longer make decisions and needs a guardian, or if you are planning ahead and want powers of attorney and directives done correctly the first time. Our Legal Planning and NC Medicaid guides explain the underlying issues.
Look for a Board Certified Specialist
Here is the single most useful thing to know: North Carolina certifies attorneys as Board Certified Specialists in Elder Law, and there is a national credential called CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney). These are earned through rigorous exams, peer review, and experience requirements, and far fewer attorneys hold them than claim to “do” elder law. When the stakes are high, a certified specialist is worth seeking out.
Verify any attorney’s credentials directly. You can confirm whether a lawyer is a Board Certified Specialist through the North Carolina State Bar (nclegalspecialization.gov) and check standing at ncbar.gov. This directory is an independent starting point, not a referral or endorsement; always vet the attorney yourself and ask about their specific experience with NC Medicaid and long-term care.
Elder law firms serving Buncombe County
A starting list of Asheville-area firms that handle elder law and Medicaid planning is below. Focus areas are summarized from each firm’s public materials. Confirm current contact details, fees, and specialist credentials before hiring.
| Firm | Focus | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Collins Family & Elder Law Group | Elder law, Medicaid planning, guardianship | (828) 457-7808 collinsfamilylaw.com |
| Strauss Attorneys PLLC | Estate planning, Medicaid, elder law | (828) 532-3400 strausslaw.com |
| McGuire, Wood & Bissette | Elder law, Medicaid, guardianship, special needs trusts — home to Kathleen R. Rodberg, a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law (CELA) | mwblawyers.com |
| WNC Elder Law | Medicaid crisis & pre-planning, asset protection | wncelderlaw.com |
| The Forest Law Group | Elder law, estate and special needs planning | forestlawgroup.com |
| PLG Law | Estate planning, probate, Medicaid asset protection | plglawyer.com |
| Prendergast Law Group | Elder law, Medicaid, long-term care, estate litigation | prendergast-law.com |
Independent resource; no firm pays to be listed. Verify credentials with the NC State Bar before engaging any attorney.
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Related guides
A quick note: This page is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Rules, rates, and eligibility change, and every family’s situation is different. Please confirm details with the facility, the relevant agency, or a licensed professional before making a decision. See our Disclosure.