2025 Nana & Poppa Go High Tech

The NSU Shepard Broad College of Law's Goodwin Program for Society, Technology, and the Law and NSU Law's Technology and Innovation Program are hosting an evening CLE event. This program will be presented live as well as recorded. 

Program Description:

As technology increasingly permeates every aspect of daily life, older adults face unique legal challenges and opportunities that require careful navigation by their attorneys. This comprehensive program examines the intersection of technology and elder law, covering emerging issues from digital wellness tools to sophisticated fraud schemes targeting seniors.

Practitioners will gain practical knowledge about advising clients on technology adoption, protecting their interests in digital transactions, and planning for the digital aspects of their estates. The program addresses both the benefits technology can provide to aging clients and the legal pitfalls that must be avoided, offering concrete strategies for counseling older adults and their families through technology-related decisions.

Whether you practice estate planning, elder law, family law, or general practice, this program will equip you with essential knowledge for serving clients in our increasingly digital world.

The program will feature several highly recognized industry leaders to address these important topics. There will be time for audience Q&A after the panel discussions.

As an institutional contributor to the Technology and Innovation program at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law (NSU Law”), your contribution enables us to bring essential and timely training to students, faculty, and staff. These efforts help ensure that NSU Law graduates are able to take advantage of the newest tools available in the legal marketplace, to use those tools ethically and confidently, and to provide leadership on the future of the practice of law for their employers.

Your investment in NSU Law will support the efforts during this academic year (through June 30, 2026). We seek annual donors to support the education, training, and outreach.

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Session Descriptions:

Session 1: Fraud Prevention and Technology-Enhanced Scams

This session will explore the growing range of schemes that target seniors through familiar platforms, including social engineering tactics, romance scams, fake emergency calls, and emerging threats such as cryptocurrency and investment fraud. Participants will learn about legal remedies and prevention strategies, including the reporting obligations of financial institutions, the importance of powers of attorney in managing digital accounts, and the unique challenges posed by diminished capacity when cognitive decline affects technology use. The program will also highlight practical tips for protecting clients, such as recognizing red flags, educating clients on scam awareness, coordinating with financial institutions and adult protective services, and developing documentation strategies to strengthen protection and prepare for potential litigation.

Session 2: Digital Assets in Estate Planning - From Passwords to Cryptocurrency

We will address the complex and rapidly evolving challenges of managing digital property in estate planning. The discussion will begin with strategies for creating a thorough digital asset inventory, from accounts and files to intellectual property and cryptocurrencies, and will explore the practical hurdles of identification, access, password management, and use of digital legacy tools. Attendees will review the legal framework governing digital assets, including the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), restrictions imposed by terms of service agreements, and conflicts between federal and state laws. The program will also examine the unique issues presented by cryptocurrency and NFTs, such as valuation, tax implications, private key management, and regulatory uncertainty. Finally, the session will provide practical estate planning strategies, including drafting effective digital asset clauses, appointing digital executors and fiduciaries, and counseling clients on thoughtful digital legacy planning.

Session 3: Digital Wellness Technology - Opportunities, Oversight, and Legal Considerations

Discussion will explore the expanding role of health monitoring devices and apps, highlighting issues of HIPAA, FDA, and FTC compliance, as well as consumer protection challenges tied to terms of service, device regulation, and insurance coverage. Presenters will address the complex balance between capacity, consent, and decision-making authority, examining when family members may implement monitoring without consent, the role of guardianship, and the use of advanced directives to guide digital monitoring decisions. Finally, the session will provide practical counseling strategies, offering tools to help clients evaluate technology, review contracts, establish oversight protocols, and document consent, while also considering elder abuse reporting obligations and liability risks. 

Session 4: Putting it all Together - Key Takeaways and Action Items

Our presenters will highlight the most important lessons from each session and provide practical steps that attendees can implement in their own practice and client counseling.