Though I’m retired I’m still active in the Michigan Elder Law listserv. I am surprised how many attorneys practicing Elder Law do not know the basic law. I won’t bore with details but very recently an attorney posted about a couple with the wife in the nursing home and applying for Medicaid. The husband had a trust and their home, was a duplex with the other half rented. The attorney questioned how Medicaid would treat the income since it would make her ineligible. The basic answer that every attorney should know is the income of a community spouse is not considered in determining the eligibility of the applicant spouse.
Each lawyer who obtains the CELA designations must meet and maintain the following standards published by the National Elder Law Foundation: Produce evidence of their substantial involvement in the elder law specialty area including: Having spent at least 16 hours per week in the past three years on elder and special needs matters; Handled at least 60 elder law matters during each of the prior three years; Submit references from active lawyers; Pass a full-day written certification examination covering the substantive and procedural law in the specialty area; prove at least 36 hours of continuing legal education in the Elder Law field. The attorney must be re-certified at least every five years.
When you choose a Certified Elder Law Attorney you know you are in good hands.
Call us for a referral at 248-356-3500. If my paralegal Dawn does not pick up, leave a message and she will call you back.