About Jim Schuster
Hello, and Welcome
I'm retired from active practice now, though I'm still available for old clients and new folks who need a hand — and if I can't help directly, I'm glad to refer you to a good Elder Law attorney.
Got a question? Give us a call at 248-356-3500. If Dawn, my paralegal, doesn't pick up, leave a message — you'll get a call back within 24 hours. We're friendly, and we like to be helpful.
I was one of the first attorneys in Michigan to specialize in Elder Law, starting in 1995, and became the fourth Certified Elder Law Attorney in the state.
Over the years, I've written extensively about this field, and I'm sharing that work here. You'll notice this isn't a "sales" kind of website.
It's built on one idea: an informed client is the best client.
All the best to you. - Jim
Credentials & Recognition
- Certified Elder Law Attorney — one of the first attorneys in Michigan to practice Elder Law, and the 4th Certified Elder Law Attorney in the state, certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (accredited by the American Bar Association)
- Former Chair, Elder Law and Advocacy Section, State Bar of Michigan
- Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys — frequent contributor to the Academy's publications
- Former Member, Professional Speakers Bureau, Alzheimer's Association
- AV Rated (peer-reviewed) by Martindale-Hubbell
- Super Lawyer in Elder Law, Thomson Reuters
- Superb, 10/10 rating, AVVO
- Still regularly consulted by other attorneys on nursing home Medicaid issues, and widely recognized as one of Michigan's top practitioners in the field
The Patient Advocate's Guide
In 1999, Jim published The Patient Advocate's Guide — a booklet to help families select a nursing home and get the best possible care for a loved one. He's kept it current ever since, and it remains one of the most complete consumer resources of its kind: nearly 30,000 words covering legal authority, hospital discharge, Medicare and Medicaid, choosing and evaluating a nursing home, and residents' rights. It's used by professionals and families alike, and it anchors everything on this site.
Background
Before law school, Jim worked as a social worker for the Michigan Department of Social Services (now the Department of Human Services). After passing the bar, he clerked for U.S. District Judge Noel P. Fox and served as a judge for the Chippewa Ottawa Conservation Court. He later served on the Council of the General Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan in every capacity, including Section Chair.
His writing on Elder Law has appeared in the Michigan Bar Journal, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, the Detroit Legal News, and Laches (the publication of the Oakland County Bar Association), and he's presented course material for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
The Log Cabin Office
For many years, Jim's office was in a locally famous historic log cabin at 24330 Lahser in Southfield — a spot that drew its own share of press, with features in the Detroit Free Press, the Southfield Observer-Eccentric, and the Oakland Press.
The office bird feeder kept birds, squirrels, and chipmunks as regular visitors, and deer were often seen along the Rouge River behind the cabin, enjoying a little peace and quiet in the middle of the city. One holdout, though: the office groundhog never once showed up on Groundhog Day, so Jim never did get an early read on how long winter would last. 
Need a Referral?
If you need a good Elder Law attorney, just ask; he's glad to point you in the right direction.
Call: 248-356-3500