Welcome to our Attorney Database

Just because someone has a certain disability or IQ does not mean they must have a conservatorship. Some people just need support with making some decisions, while others may need someone to make the decisions for them. It is important to know how much help you need and in what type of decisions you need help, such as managing money or making medical decisions.

When seeking an attorney to obtain a conservatorship or other decision-making documents or supports (such as a Power of Attorney, Special Needs Trust, ABLE Savings Acct, etc.), it is important to understand your options, relevant documents, and what they do. It is also important to consider the amount and type of decision-making support you need. Every person’s needs and abilities are unique. Therefore, the decision-making support document or combination of documents should be customized to meet your specific needs.

You can learn more by clicking on the link below and exploring the decision-making documents on the All Decision-Making Support page of our website.

If you need help identifying the amount and type of decision-making support you need, consider using the LifeCourse Exploring Decision-Making Supports tool. This tool will ask you questions and help you think about the types of decisions you want or need help making.

Using this tool is a great first step to exploring the different support levels on this website. Click on the link below to learn more about the Life Course Tool and get started.
This tool was developed by the Charting the LifeCourse Nexus (@2020 Curators of the University of Missouri, UMKC IHD, UCEDD).

Ready to Search for an Attorney?

Now that you have explored your options, it is important to find an attorney who understands these documents and special areas of law. Below is a map of Tennessee. In this database, attorneys are listed by region and relevant type of law. These types of law are Special Needs Law, Elder Care Law, Financial/Estate Planning, and Special Education Law. Attorneys who practice in these areas of law understand the various support and services needed for someone with a disability.

It is important to seek an attorney who specializes in the types of decision-making documents you may need.

• Special Needs Law focuses on solving legal problems for individuals with special needs and their caregivers. Examples include Special Needs Trust, ABLE Account, Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Durable General Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, Advance Directive, Last Will and Testament.
• Elder Care Law focuses on the needs of older adults and people with disabilities to ensure their estate planning, medical and housing needs are addressed as they age. Examples include Special Needs Trust, Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Durable General Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, Advance Directive, Last Will and Testament.
• Financial/Estate Planning law helps with planning for your assets before and upon your death. Examples include Special Needs Trust, ABLE Account, Durable General Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Last Will and Testament.
• Special Education Law focuses on special education cases related to students’ rights in education. Examples include IDEA, IEP, and 504.

To find an attorney, click on your region and search pins on the Google map to find attorneys in your area. Click on the pins closest to where you live to pull up the contact information of that attorney.

*Please note that the listed attorneys are not endorsed by the Center for Decision-Making Support or its affiliated councils, advocacy groups, etc.