Jennifer E. Ghorley

Bar / Professional Activity

• Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, Board of Directors, 2026
• Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Section, Secretary, 2026
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Georgia Chapter, President-Elect , 2023
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Georgia Chapter, Secretary, 2022
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2018
• Blue Ridge Bar Association, Member, 2017
• State Bar of Georgia, 2017

Videos

• Jennifer of Hurley Elder Care Law explains the urgency of creating a GA Advance Directive for Health Care during the COVID-19 crisis. This document gives you the opportunity to appoint a healthcare decision-maker if you are sick or hospitalized. You are able to clearly state your healthcare wishes. Find out why this document is especially important at this time., Hurley Elder Care Law Explains the Urgency of Creating a GA Advance Directive During COVID-19 Crisis, 2020
• Jennifer Ghorley, JD of Hurley Elder Care Law discusses Medicaid Fair Hearings during COVID-19. How are they being handled? What are the changes?, Hurley Elder Care Law Discusses Medicaid Fair Hearings During COVID-19, 2020

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Certified Elder Law Attorney, Certified by the National Elder Law Foundation, 2024
• Certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2016
• Certified in Mediation, 2016

Pro bono / Community Service

• Service League of Cherokee County, Executive Board Member , 2022
• Public Interest Fellow, Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, 2016
• Feed My Sheep Food Ministry, Canton First Baptist Church, 2016

Educational Background

• Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Juris Doctor 
• Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Master of Laws, Alternative Dispute Resolution
• The University of Alabama-Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Jennifer Ghorley discusses how to access home and community based Medicaid programs, as well as other community resources for elderly and disabled persons for social workers, case managers, and nurses within the hospital system. Social workers, case managers, and nurses often partner with families to navigate these complex processes. Ms. Ghorley offers healthcare professionals in-depth information about qualifying for various home and community based Medicaid programs in the state of Georgia, including reviewing case studies.   , Presenter, Accessing Home and Community Based Services: A Playbook for Healthcare Providers, Social Workers, Case Managers, And Nurses, 2024
• Jennifer Ghorley discusses "Ethical Care in Geriatrics," including autonomy and the right to self-determine, as well as safe and legal discharge planning for medical professionals who are dealing with the most vulnerable individuals in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. This presentation focuses on both medical ethics and legal issues. , Co-Presenter, Ethical Care in Geriatrics, Physicians, Medical Directors, And Other Medical Professionals, 2024
• Jennifer Ghorley discusses navigating care and decision-making for vulnerable adults who have not selected a surrogate decision maker. Social workers, case managers, nurses, and other medical professionals often encounter individuals who are unable to make important medical decisions for themselves, but have not selected a surrogate decision maker, when next-of kin cannot be located, medical professionals often find it difficult to provide for these individuals. , Presenter, Unrepresented: Aging Alone By Choice or By Circumstance, Social Workers, Case Managers, And Other Medical Professionals, 2023
• Jennifer Ghorley discusses the decision to seek long-term care in a skilled nursing facility for a loved one is fraught with emotions, including an overwhelming fear of the cost involved. Social workers, case managers, and nurses often partner with families to navigate this complex process. Ms. Ghorley offers healthcare professionals in-depth information about qualifying for Nursing Home Medicaid in the state of Georgia including reviewing case studies. In addition, we will review the complexity of nursing home placement and discuss ways to support families as the explore placement options., Presenter, Nursing Home Medicaid: Digging Deep Into the Details, Social Workers, Hospital Case Managers, And Nurses, 2022
• Jennifer Ghorley discusses unique challenges that exist at the intersection of ethical decision-making and geriatric care. Even though clear ethical principles exist, the messy realities of patients and families often leave helping professionals questioning the best course of action. Does your patient have the right to discharge themselves AMA? Should you advise a psychiatric hold for a dementia patient who is abusive to their spousal caregiver? Through case studies Ms. Ghorley explores issues related to self-harm (including refusal of care, nutrition, and medication), unidentified long-term mental health issues, and the impact on aging, as well as aggressive behaviors and options for families and professionals.. , Presenter, Helping Those Who Cannot or Will Not Help Themselves: Ethical Challenges for Helping Professionals, Social Workers, Hospital Case Managers, Nurses, 2022
• Jennifer Ghorley discusses how loved ones of all ages with special needs often have increased financial and care needs. Ensuring their long term welfare presents unique challenges.  In this seminar, Jennifer Ghorley talks about the importance of estate planning for disabled persons, and the public benefits available to them.  She also discusses how a special needs trust can provide the necessary financial support without jeopardizing the individual's government benefits, and review the different types of special needs trusts, requirements, and funding., Presenter, Special Needs: Unique Challenges, Creative Solutions, Social Workers, Hospital Case Managers, Nurses, 2022
• Jennifer Ghorley virtually presented to the Visiting Nurse Health System to provide information on when to update essential estate planning documents, especially in situations of death, divorce, diagnosis, dependents, and displacement, Presenter, Essential Documents: To Update or Not to Update . . . That is the Question?, 2021
• Jennifer Ghorley virtually presented to a large group of social workers, registered nurses, and certified case managers to provide information on the rising costs of long-term care and navigating the public benefits available in Georgia to cover the costs of long-term care, Presenter, Paying for Long-Term Care Without Going Broke: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals, Social Workers, Registered Nurses, And Certified Case Managers, 2021
• Jennifer Ghorley virtually co-presented to a large group of social workers, registered nurses, and certified case managers to provide information on challenges related to self-neglect, hoarding, non-compliance, help-rejecting behaviors, and denial, Co-Presenter, Ethical Interventions with Older Adults: Balancing Safety and Autonomy, Social Workers, Registered Nurses, And Certified Case Managers, 2021
• Jennifer Ghorley virtually presented to a large group of social workers, registered nurses, and certified case managers to provide information on the complex dynamics of a blended family or cobbling together resources for an elder orphan, including exploring planning options for blended families, guidelines for managing decision making when there is sibling conflict, LGBTQ seniors, and options for elder orphans and solo agers, Presenter, The Modern Aging Family: 21st Century Challenges, Social Workers, Registered Nurses, And Certified Case Managers, 2021
• Jennifer Ghorley virtually presented to a large group of social workers, registered nurses, and certified case managers to provide information on the ethical dilemmas that health care agents face and examine guidelines for making decisions on behalf of someone else, Presenter, The Ethics of Surrogate Decision Making: Who's in Charge?, Social Workers, Registered Nurses, And Certified Case Managers, 2020

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, Board of Directors, 2026
• Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Section, Secretary , 2026
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Georgia Chapter, President-Elect, 2023
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Georgia Chapter, Secretary, 2021
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Georgia Chapter, Secretary, 2020
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Member, 2020

Firm News (Newsletters)

• Establishing a Special Needs Trust (SNT) can provide peace of mind for the families of disabled children and adults in addition to preserving eligibility for public benefits. So, what are the requirements for creating an SNT and is this a complicated process?, Special Needs Trust: The Basics
• What is a pet trust and how can establishing one, help you take care of your furry friends? For many of us, a pet is a true part of the family. According to the ASPCA, about 44% of households have a dog, while 35% have a cat. There are proven health benefits to owning a pet like an increase in your physical activity and more social interaction. These activities can lower your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and your triglycerides. Pets provide valuable companionship to older adults and lower your stress and anxiety levels. With so many animal lovers out there, including many on the Hurley Elder Care Law team, planning and making provisions for pets is a top priority for many of our clients. There are several ways to include your pets in your Life Care Plan., A Pet Trust is Part of Your Long Term Care Plan
• In our May newsletter, we discussed changes to Georgia Nursing Home Medicaid due to the COVID-19 crisis. We all hoped the changes would be short lived and everyone could go back to “normal.” However, the effects of COVID-19 are proving to be more long-lasting. Our clients and their families have experienced unique and challenging situations., The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
• During your first meeting with an Elder Law Attorney, the attorney will ask an array of questions about your health, your existing legal documents, as well as your income and assets. You may be asking yourself, “why does the attorney need to know all of this information?”, Putting the Pieces of the Elder Law Puzzle Together, Why We Ask What We Ask
• The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic certainly came as a surprise to most, and it is doubtful that anyone anticipated the changes it would bring to the Medicaid application process.  In fact, there have been a number of significant changes to Georgia Nursing Home Medicaid that, although temporary, could have a major impact on your loved one’s Nursing Home Medicaid eligibility., How Georgia Nursing Home Medicaid is Impacted by COVID-19 Changes

Honors

• Mrs. Ghorley has been selected as a Georgia Rising Star by Super Lawyers for consecutive years since 2022. , 2026 Georgia Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2026
• Mrs. Ghorley was selected as a Georgia Rising Star by Super Lawyers for the fourth consecutive year, as nominated by her peers. , 2025 Georgia Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2025
• Mrs. Ghorley was selected as a Georgia Rising Star by Super Lawyers for the third consecutive year, as nominated by her peers. , 2024 Georgia Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2024
• 2023 Georgia Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2023
• Ms. Ghorley was selected to 2022 Georgia Rising Stars by Super Lawyers. She was nominated by her peers as an up and coming expert in the area of Elder Law and Life Care Planning. , 2022 Georgia Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2022
• The Public Law Society of Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law reserves the Public Interest Fellow Community Service Merit for law students who have completed a substantial number of hours in the area of non-legal community service work during their law school career, Public Interest Fellow, Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, 2016

Industry Groups

• Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association
• National Academy Of Elder Law Attorneys
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Georgia Chapter
• State Bar Of Georgia

“I have been working with Jennifer Ghorley and her firm for several years. They are excellent attorneys. They always work hard to achieve excellent results for their clients. They always practice pursuant to the highest ethical and professional standards.”

“Jennifer is incredibly accomplished in the elder law world for someone who has only been practicing for six years. She truly knows her stuff and I bounce cases off of her every week. A go to attorney in elder law.”

“Jennifer is a quick learner and very centered on doing the right thing for the client/client family. She is truly an asset to my practice. I cannot recommend someone more highly.”