ANITA A. GARTLAND, J.D.,

ATTORNEY AT LAW

An Indianapolis, Indiana native, Anita recently married John Gartland, retired coach and professor at Indiana State University, and a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel. They enjoy exercising together and working out. John is very supportive of Anita’s work.

Anita has a passion for elder law due to the fact that she has served as caregiver for her mother who died in 2008, her father who died in 2014 of Alzheimer’s disease, and her late aunt who died in 2016 of vascular dementia. Anita serves on the Indiana University Neuroscience Center Alzheimer’s Disease Center Community Advisory Board that encourages minority individuals to enroll in research studies for the cure of Alzheimer’s disease.

Anita also participates in the healthy brain studies for the university and has donated her brain to research after she passes.

Anita has been a licensed attorney in the State of Indiana since 1995. However, she started her elder law practice in 2007. Her inspiration stemmed from being a caregiver for her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1999. As a result, she moved from Texas, back to her hometown in Indianapolis to help her father be a caregiver for her mom. Later, in 2005, her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Then, in 2014, Anita brought her aunt, who had been living in New York City for 50 years, back to Indianapolis; she also had been diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Though my mission is to help people in my community transition comfortably in life with dignity and independence, I realize that people are really concerned about, “How am I going to get the best care for my loved one.” My mission is, very succinctly, to help those in need. My faith in God is strong, and it is the premise for all I do.

AFFILIATIONS:

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions

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National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)

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Indiana Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Indiana NAELA)

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Indiana State Bar

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Indiana State Bar Elder Law Section

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Indiana University Neuroscience Center Alzheimer’s Disease Center Community Advisory Board

•

Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA)

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CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) • Indiana Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Indiana NAELA) • Indiana State Bar • Indiana State Bar Elder Law Section • Indiana University Neuroscience Center Alzheimer’s Disease Center Community Advisory Board • Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA) •

Education:

Anita graduated from Shortridge High School in 1973 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana in 1977 in Journalism and Broadcasting, and her law degree from the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas in 1991. Attorney Gartland was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1995.

Anita has her own private law practice, the Anita A. Harden Law Office LLC in the area of elder law in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving as an advocate for senior citizens. Anita is also Of Counsel with Stevenson Legal Group LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana. She has operated in a full-time private law practice since 2007. Anita counsels and provides legal services to senior citizens, their families and caregivers. These services include: estate planning, asset protection; Medicaid planning; Medicare planning; powers of attorney; advance directives including appointment of a health care representative and health care declarations; last will and testaments; probate and estate administration; revocable and irrevocable trusts; guardianships; veterans benefits; estate planning, deeds, life care planning, care coordination, Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits, and asset protection.

Her work experiences have included serving as Deputy Attorney General for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office; Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Commissioner of Administrative Services and Human Relations for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles; Congressional Aid for the late Congresswoman Julia Carson in Indianapolis, Indiana; Congressional Aid for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston, Texas; attorney for the Law Firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary.

Prior to Anita’s legal and political career, she worked as Public Information Officer and Assistant to Superintendent of Schools for the Indianapolis Public School system, and as an intern television reporter for WRTV Channel 6 Television station in Indianapolis.

Affiliations:

  • CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions’, Indianapolis, Indiana

    • Operating Board of Directors, Former Chair and Member

    • CICOA Governance Committee, Former Chair

    • Chair of CICOA’s Public Policy Committee, Former Chair

  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Members

  • Indiana Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Indiana NAELA), Member

  • Indiana State Bar, Member

  • Indiana State Bar Elder Law Section, Member

  • Indiana University Neuroscience Center Alzheimer’s Disease Center Community Advisory Board

  • Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA), former Member