Updating trust while DH is still able to consent

I'm probably going to catch some flack for this , but IMHO, while a CELA may have better contacts within the elder care community than another attorney, if they are not in or near your community they probably won't be any more help than any attorney who you trust to take on the job.

As another “retired teacher”, whose DH was also a retired teacher, I agree with Stan and M1. As much as I bi*tched while paying into the system, our pensions are generous and I was able to comfortably pay out of pocket for DH’s eventual 17 month MCF placement. Our CELA helped sort out assets, and designated beneficiaries so that upon DH’s passing, we didn’t have to go through probate. We would not have qualified for Medicaid (and DH’s MCF did not accept Medicaid so we were very fortunate). Good luck with your financial planning. **Just be sure to get DPOA (durable).

I did not use a CELA. We set up trust where either of us could act alone to effect changes, durable POA's etc. We used a regular estate attorney. My feeling at the time was that though her dementia was evident, she would not ever be in a position to actually use the documents empowering her. As time progressed I acted alone to sell and buy real estate and manage her investments. There was never a problem. It probably should be noted that prior to dementia I handled all of our finances so there was no change in responsibilities. Rick

I agree. We did the same as Rick,however we named our daughter as a secondary on all documents.