Sudden Closure of Family Elder Law Leaves Clients, Employees in the Dark

In a move that left the community stunned, the well-known law firm of Family Elder Law halted operations more than a week ago, notifying employees through a text message that they were closing.

Robert Connors

The Lake Wales offices of Family Elder Law, like those in Sebring and Lakeland, remain locked. There is no notice posted giving reason for the sudden closure.

Founded in 2013 by Lake Wales attorney Jason Penrod, the firm had grown to include three central Florida offices and some two dozen employees who were left wondering about the circumstances, which remain unknown. Penrod remains the sole officer of Family Elder Law P.A.

In a statement texted to Lake Wales News Sunday, Penrod said "Unfortunately, and with a heavy heart, I will be closing Family Elder Law in the near future. In the interim, we will be providing additional information and options to our clients to manage their cases in the best possible way."

Lake Wales News has received several telephone calls from individuals concerned about the closure of the prominent business that also operated offices in Lakeland and Sebring. Those offices were also closed suddenly.

Numerous clients who had appointments reported that they were told their engagements were cancelled and that they should seek another law firm. Carol Wallace, a Lakeland attorney who also practices family law, reportedly received calls from several clients of the firm seeking advice and assistance.

photo from Family Elder Law.com

The well-known and liked Jason Penrod gave no reason for his sudden closure of his active law firm, which practised family law and focused on the needs of seniors.

Family Elder Law provided estate planning and asset protection, probate and estate administration, and special needs planning, among other services. The firm won the Durso Excellence in Business award in 2018.

A Reddit blog post written by a former employee stated that "I was an employee of the company and they did close unexpectedly and gave us less than a week's notice. We did not return calls or emails, and frankly, I do not know what actually has happened. We were given no info and tied up operations en masse on Thursday last week."

All the firm's social media information has been removed from the internet, and the firm's website is now password protected and inaccessible.

Penrod served as a president of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010 as well as the Lake Wales noon Rotary Club. He is well known in social circles and has many friends in the business community.