Bella Vista Business Association Directory

14 | 2021 Bella Vista Business Association Directory T odd Whatley's law firm was founded in 1999 in central Arkansas, and he moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2007. Law, however, was not his first career. His first profession as a physical therapist, specifically working with the elderly, interestingly enough led him to law school. When asked about the inspiration behind the start of his business, Todd shares an interesting story. "My first career was physical therapy, and I was "forced" into home health and nursing home work where I worked primarily with the senior population. It was not my first pick as a 23 year-old PT, but I soon loved it. I got bored though and wanted to go back to school. For some strange reason I chose to go to law school." Todd graduated law school and opened a part time practice while still practicing as a PT. He did general practice attorney work like divorces, criminal, bankruptcy, and "hated it with a passion," he says. "I almost quit and went back to PT full time." Along the way, he discovered that there was a new specialty in working with seniors for their specific legal needs. "I thought, 'I love old people and that's what I did as a PT,' " so, he researched it and started going to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys conference twice a year. It was there he found his passion. "I jumped in and did it and haven't looked back in over 20 years," he says. e mission for Todd's firm is "To give peace of mind to seniors and their families when it comes to their estate in passing and devastating health expenses." It's a small firm, with only two employees. "ey are crucial to my success. ey work much more closely with the clients once they hire us and implement the plan I create. ey both love the elderly and are very patient and understanding," Todd says. On a typical day at the office, he sees clients either in person, virtually or by phone. First he learns what their concerns are, and then together they implement a plan. e staff then work with the clients, typically from that point on. Despite the fact that Todd is a man who is passionate about his work, there are always challenges. But Todd embraces them, saying, "challenges are the preconceived notions people have or have heard about Medicaid - from what you would think would be very knowledgeable people - that give out bad advice." He says his primary challenge is "Getting people to realize that I do know the rules and that my very contrary advice is the advice people should be taking." He adds, "Also, it's difficult to work through the family dynamics that arise when a parent or loved one is now ill and needing much more attention. Long-held grievances come to light and play out Todd Whatley: peace of mind for seniors By Rhonda Baber-Crone In Bella Vista 479-855-9069 www.bvstbernard.org Saturday Mass @ 5PM Sunday Mass @ 9AM One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Come Visit Us! WELCOME TO ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH 479-855-3141 1739 Forest Hills Blvd. • Bella Vista, AR 72715 www.bellavistabeautysalon.com Betty Blakeley & Jennifer Osborne Bella Vista Beauty Salon Inc. Foils • Coloring Manicure • Pedi Spa Perms • Waxing Tanning • Massage Family Styling Center

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