CELA vs regular attorney

MaryG123

Our attorney helped us draft our poa’s, health surrogate forms, and wills about five years ago, and we just updated them last week.  I took my DH name off of mine, and replaced it with my niece, as we don’t have children.  Our finances are quite simple and we both have long term care insurance policies.  I’m wondering if there is any reason to meet with a CELA at this time.  Thoughts?

jmlarue

Anyone with a long-term care insurance plan needs a full understanding of what the policy provides as a daily care benefit and the length of the benefit window for using those benefits. It is easy to forget the fine details of your specific policy over time. The CELA will review the total amount of benefits you can expect from that LTC policy and then discuss the sources of payment for your continuing care should you out-live that policy. The CELA is far more qualified to advise you on the ins/outs of asset preservation and calm the fears we all have about outliving our money. It's worthwhile having a specialist to advise you.

towhee

The price of care keeps going up and it is unfortunately possible to have policy benefits not go as far as needed. It is always wise to get information on Medicaid, even if you don't think you will need it, just so you don't do something that would put this resource out of reach. If expensive trusts are mentioned by a lawyer, make sure (second opinion if necessary) that these are actually needed.

Also, some persons with dementia, who have access to financial resources, can be scammed or use very bad judgement leading to loss of those resources.

Ed1937

I agree that a CELA should be much better prepared to guide you in what needs to be done. Laws change yearly, and a CELA is required to be on top of that. 

The first visit with a CELA might be free of charge, and you can verify that when calling for an appointment. After the first visit you will understand how they can help you, and what the cost will be. 

Rescue mom

People with dementia, or dementia itself, often seem like the whole world, and it is, to us. But our numbers are actually small, compared to the general population.

A regular attorney does not have to keep up with all the details, and yearly changes in laws and regs, that affect PWDs and caregivers. There’s not that much need for them to do that; it’s often complicated, and they have other types of law that’s more common. But CELAs must keep current on all those regs/laws—that often change every year—that affect us here.

Or, what if you needed heart surgery, or a kidney transplant? Would you want a PCP/family doc to do it, or would you want a heart or kidney specialist?

Medicaid law and rules, especially, is tricky and again, likely to get big changes every year. It’s handled differently in different states. Again, a specialist is best equipped to help on that.

MaryG123

You guys are the best.  Thanks so much for your guidance!