Victoria L. Collier, Life Care Planning and Medicaid Crisis Attorney
"You are Not What I expected" is what I hear from so many clients. I ask them, "What did you expect?" and the response is, "I expected an attorney like you see on TV, older with gray hair and stiff, but you're not like that at all."
Many of the family members already know I look younger than my years because they have seen my picture in my brochure or on my website. Also, as people get to know me, they realize I have a business side (which helps to run a successful law practice) but also a personable side (that helps me relate to people).
MY STORY
My love of senior citizens began at a young age. I spent many nights slumbering with my grandparents, in Houston where I grew up, because my father was a single dad until I was 6 years old. After my father married my mom, my grandparents moved to Virginia, where my dad was originally from. I missed them greatly and, unfortunately, they died relatively young.
When I graduated from high school, I truly felt the void of grandparents. It was then that I went to work at a nursing home as a nurse's aide. I also worked for home health companies as a companion caregiver for several years. Working as a nurse's aide was truly the most rewarding job I have ever had, until I became a lawyer. The people I met, the experiences we shared, and the grief I held when my patients passed on, have provided me with sincere empathy and compassion to work with our current clients.
With a strong desire to go to college, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. My first learned skill was as a carpenter/mason. I loved working with my hands and working outside in an unconventional job, which has helped me in so many other areas of life. I then crossed trained to be a paralegal. I spent 6 years in the Air Force, during Desert Storm, which has engrained within me even more respect for our service men and women who served during WWII, Korean Conflict, and Vietnam Conflict.
MY PHILOSOPHY
Each person in an individual who deserves respect and the highest quality if life possible, regardless of age or ability.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Member since 2002
NAELA, Georgia Chapter, Chair 2008
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, admitted 2007
National Organization of Veteran Advocates, Member
Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, Member
State Bar of Georgia, Elder Law Section, Vice Chair 2007-2008
Atlanta Bar Association, Elder Law Committee, Chair 2004-2005, Vice Chair 2003-2004
Trust Associates, Inc. - Co-Founder, non-profit organization
Georgia ElderCare Network - Charter Member
Academy of Special Needs Planners - Charter Member
Ageless, Inc. - Executive Board Member, Secretary
American Parkinson's Disease Association, Georgia Chapter - Executive Board Member, Secretary
Georgia Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2005 edition
PUBLICATIONS
VisPro software for Veterans Benefits Applications, Co-Author
Thinking of Hiring A Geriatric Care Manager? Integrating Geriatric Care Management into Your Law Practice, Elder Law Advisory, October 2007
Georgia Nursing Home Guide, 2007 - 2008
Georgia updates its confusing advance health directives, ElderCare Matters Fall/Winter 2007
Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What Do We Tell Our Clients?, Elder Law Advisory, October 2006
Asset exemption may end benefits for some, ElderCare Matters Summer 2005
Multiple Continuing Education Lectures for NAELA, State and local Bar Associations, and National Business Institute
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Victoria L. Collier 
