Dad was sinking into senile dementia at the same time Mom was about five years into her battle with Alzheimer’s. My sister and I were caring for both. We went to an “Elder Service” attny for ONE appointment only and that was just to mollify my sister. Proved to her in that one meeting that I, a retired Telco cable splicer, was better at that game than that POS lawyer firm. My first indication they were a rip-off was when they demanded CASH up front before first consult.
Getting assets out of the folks’ names was a bit involved. Long story short, a lady at my parents’ bank steered me in the right direction any time I started to get confused. She wouldn’t take a dime, so I treated her and her husbane to a couple of dinners.
This woman was a Godsend. She told us that our situation was not unusual. A great many of my parents’ generation, children of the Depression, NEVER discussed finances with their children....no matter how much we pressed. It was just not their way. Evidently those fine, exemplary practitioners of the law were aware of this fact and saw a tidal wave of greenbacks coming their way.
Taking care of your folks against the ravages of Alzheimer’s is tough enough, especially since you know what the outcome is, but having to deal with the scum of the earth that infest the legal profession as well as the crooked judges and “guardians” that were crawling all over the Queens Co. (NYC) courthouse in the 90s and early 00s was really tough.
I knew enough to pick a good lawyer based on some research .
The first thing he did was refer me to a woman who specializes in getting Alzheimers patient into a very good nursing home. Which she did, and at a low PPA (Patient Payment Allowance.) I was pleased.
Then the lawyer stepped in and redid my will, got me a power of attorney, and did several other things.
I was more than satisfied with his bill.
The laws are different in every state, and you need to pick a good elder services lawyer, or you will pay for it in time and money to the nursing home. - Tom