Founder | Schulze Elder Life Planning

Richard Schulze is the founder of Schulze Elder Life Planning, where he helps older adults and their families navigate the challenges, decisions, and transitions that accompany aging.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in elder law and estate planning, Richard brings a unique combination of professional knowledge, practical experience, and personal understanding to the complexities of growing older. Throughout his career, he observed that even families with carefully prepared legal documents often found themselves unprepared for the difficult decisions surrounding declining independence, changing care needs, family responsibilities, and life's unexpected transitions.

That realization led him to establish Schulze Elder Life Planning, a non-legal planning and guidance practice focused on helping individuals and families prepare for aging and navigate challenges when circumstances change.

Richard's approach begins with a simple principle: Aging well is about more than having the right documents. It's about having a plan that reflects what matters most to you.

Through proactive Aging Well Planning and crisis stabilization services, Richard helps clients clarify their priorities, understand their options, navigate difficult family conversations, and develop practical plans that preserve independence, dignity, and personal choice.

Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and both his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

An experienced educator and public speaker, Richard has presented extensively to community groups, professional organizations, and the public on topics involving elder law, estate planning, long-term care, Medicaid, and the challenges of aging. His experience has also been sought by local television and radio news organizations.

Richard lives in Washoe Valley, Nevada, with his wife, Piper. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking with his dogs, cycling, camping, and exploring the outdoors of Northern Nevada.

Schulze Elder Life Planning serves clients throughout Northern Nevada and nationwide through virtual meetings. The practice provides non-legal planning, guidance, and facilitation services.

Firm Description

Growing older brings challenges that legal documents alone cannot solve. Families face difficult questions about independence, care, living arrangements, finances, and what happens when circumstances change. Too often, these decisions arise without a clear plan, leaving older adults and their families uncertain about what to do next.

At Schulze Elder Life Planning, we help older adults and their families navigate the challenges of aging with clarity, confidence, and a practical plan.

Founded by Richard Schulze, JD, MBA, following more than 30 years working with older adults and their families in elder law, Schulze Elder Life Planning was created around a simple realization: Families don't struggle simply because they lack legal documents. They struggle because they lack the guidance and planning needed to navigate life's difficult decisions.

Our work focuses on two important areas.

Planning Ahead — Aging Well Planning

We help older adults thoughtfully prepare for the years ahead. Together, we explore what matters most to them, how they want to live, the independence they wish to preserve, the people they trust, and the decisions their families may someday face. We help translate those conversations into a practical plan that reflects their values, preferences, and priorities.

When Circumstances Change — Crisis and Stabilization Planning

When illness, cognitive decline, changing care needs, or other unexpected circumstances disrupt a family's life, we help bring clarity and direction to an often overwhelming situation. We work with families to understand the challenges, identify available resources, evaluate options, coordinate with appropriate professionals, and develop a workable path forward.

Our Philosophy

We believe that growing older does not diminish a person's individuality, dignity, or right to make decisions about their own life. Our work begins with the older adult—not simply the concerns of family members or the demands of a particular situation.

We listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help families navigate difficult conversations and decisions. We recognize that aging affects the entire family, but our guiding principle is that the older person's values, wishes, and well-being remain at the center of the planning process.

Our goal is not simply to help families respond to today's challenges. It is to help them anticipate tomorrow's decisions, reduce uncertainty, and move forward with greater confidence.

Schulze Elder Life Planning serves clients throughout Northern Nevada and nationwide through virtual meetings.

Hours

Cost