Polaris Estate Planning and Elder Law

I was very disappointed to say the least. I was informed by Lisa that the $750 retainer would be refunded, if I did not choose to use them past the initial consultation. Not true! I met with Ann Harris initially, who barely spoke two words while I explained my situation, except that the $750 was NOT refundable. She stated she would have to review my docs and consult with coworker and get back to me. Several weeks went by before I received a call that she and another attorney wanted to meet with me in two weeks to go over things. I was hopeful that they had information that would lead to my mother being eligible for medicaid soon. I met with them yesterday. The male lawyer seemed to know nothing of my mother’s situation. He proceeded to ask questions I already answered with Harris while he looked at her notes from our first meeting. She again said nothing. He on the other hand talked a lot about nothing. They had no new info, didn’t claim to know what to do about Moms home owned jointly with my sister in Ohio. He arrogantly suggested it be sold and he could then help with the spend down to qualify for medicaid. I have had several years experience helping clients understand their rights to medicaid and learn about spend down and division of assets, as a social worker in LTC, years ago. I knew more about medicaid than these two did. I helped Mom get a Irrevocable Trust 11 yrs ago to protect assets from spend down, but Mom insisted on taking the sale of her home out of the trust and buy a home jointly with my sister in Ohio. Sis is disabled and elderly, but cared for Mom until recently. Mom is now in Missouri with me. I just needed an Elderlaw attorney to tell me how to manage the house in Ohio. These so called Elderlaw” attorneys didn’t know and over 6 weeks until the next appointment didn’t bother to find out. What a waste of time! …and money! I would not recommend this group for any “elderlaw” work. They don’t know enough. They probably took one seminar and declare themselves “Elderlaw Attorneys”. John Riley Elderlaw and Cost Consultants is who I used years ago. They are still in business. They were not lawyers. He had spent decades working for the state qualifying people for medicaid. He’s retired now, but I’ll bet his people are well trained. I wish I was in my right mind (traumatized due to Mom’s severe change in heath) a few months ago and called them first. I’ll be calling them now, for sure! Actually AI and MO Healthnet has given me enough info about how to handle this. I didn’t need a lawyer. You only need an attorney to get the Irrevocable Trust. Otherwise, go see John Riley for everything else, as well as, a referral for a good lawyer, if need be.