Elder Law

Barbara provides legal assistance for the special needs of the senior community and their families.

Elder Law is an area of law that has been steadily growing in part because of the growing number of seniors and their unique problems, which are often complicated by their financial and legal needs. In addition, improvements in health care have resulted in the population living longer, often with debilitating illnesses requiring efficient and effective planning for long term care.

It is important to assist the older adult clients with planning for their future while taking steps to help them maintain their personal and financial independence.

Barbara offers legal assistance in the following areas:

• Preservation of assets
• Selection/transition to long-term care
• Wills and Trusts
• Guardianships
• Power of Attorney
• Advance Directives
• Medicare
• Medicaid planning and related issues
• Probate
• Estate Planning
• Divorce and legal separations
• Assisting those recently alone to be financially self sufficient

Barbara's broad educational and professional background with the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Health and Human Services, plus her volunteer experiences at AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly and the Ombudsmen programs at the Department of Aging in Montgomery County, MD, uniquely qualify her to handle such issues. As an Ombudsman, she acts as an advocate for the residents of an Assisted Living and Nursing Home in Montgomery County. Her experience provides her with a unique perspective on the needs of seniors. Barbara is often invited to speak on many of the above topics at the local and national level.

Family Law

Barbara Bullman has extensive experience in family law. She is able to assist you with a variety of problems that arise from the family relationship. She believes that the best solutions for her clients are often obtained quickly without court involvement. However, if that is not possible, she makes every effort to resolve legal conflicts through negotiation, mediation, and effective advocacy. Her experience includes representing clients in the following areas:

• Divorce
• Modifications in child support and visitation
• Alimony
• Pre-Nuptial and Post Nuptial Agreements
• Separation Agreements
• Domestic Violence
• Guardianships
• Adoptions
• Name Changes

Background

Barbara Bullman was admitted to the bar in Maryland in l983. She stays current with the law by regularly attending Continuing Legal Education seminars and courses in family law, elder law, and bankruptcy including courses in Estate planning, Administration of Estates, Trust, Medicaid and Divorce Tax Workshops, as well as additional courses in the Collaborative Law process. In addition, she belongs to the following organizations and regularly attends their meetings.

Organizations

• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
• Established and Chairs the Bethesda-Rockville Chapter of NAELA
• Maryland Bar Association:
  • Member of Family Law Section
  • Member of Elder Law Section
• Montgomery County Bar Association, MD
  • Member of Family Law Section
• Women's Bar Association, MD
• Maryland Association of Community Mediation Centers - Certified

Awards

• Award of Appreciation for Devoted Service to AARP Legal Counsel's Office - 2002
• Pro Bono Service Award from Montgomery County Bar Association - 2003