Don't Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control

"Oh no, what are we going to do?"

Experts say that every 65 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia.  When someone you love gets that diagnosis, you need answers.

The authors, Kerry Peck and Rick Law, are two nationally renowned elder law attorneys who can help you make wise decisions in the midst of a post-diagnosis whirlwind of confusion.

Avoid common missteps such as:

• Giving away assets to qualify for nursing home benefits
• Believing that Medicare will pay for your long-term care
• Waiting until the last minute before seeking expert legal advice
• Assuming that nursing home Medicaid is a do-it-yourself project
• Thinking that a revocable living trust provides asset protection
• And many more

Kerry R. Peck, managing partner of the Chicago law firm of PECK BLOOM, LLC, is a vigilant advocate for adults and families that may be victims of financial exploitation. He concentrates his practice in the following areas: trust/estate probate litigation, will contests, probate administration, elder law, estate planning, and guardianship litigation. He is also licensed to practice law in Florida. Kerry’s clients include families, hospitals, banks, the State of Illinois, County of Cook and City of Chicago. Kerry is the past president of the 22,000 member Chicago Bar Association and he has been selected by Illinois attorneys as a “Super Lawyer” in trusts and estates. Kerry was also selected in a statewide survey as a top lawyer in Elder Law and was named a member of the Leading Lawyers Network.

In 2004, Kerry was retained by the City of Chicago, Department on Aging and named Special Assistant Corporate Counsel for the City of Chicago.  His assignment was to revise the State of Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act Statutes and shepherd the proposed statutes through the Illinois Legislature. Kerry was asked to testify and to line up other witnesses for the anticipated legislative hearings. This major legislative project was an acknowledgment of his leadership in the Elder Law Community.             

In 2013, Kerry Peck co-authored the book Alzheimer’s and the Law, published by the American Bar Association. The book is geared toward attorneys counseling their clients with dementia and their families as they navigate the legal system. 

Mr. Peck is the recipient of the 2014 Justice John Paul Stevens Award, the Chicago Bar Association’s highest honor. He was also selected by IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law as one of their 125 Alumni of Distinction.

Rick L. Law, attorney, has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous other newspapers and articles. He is the lead attorney for Law ElderLaw, LLP, which serves seniors and those who love them in the Chicago metropolitan area. Leading Lawyer Magazine has consistently ranked him as a top elder law estate planner. He has been a featured presenter at national conferences of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and at numerous professional and public seminars throughout Illinois. Rick would prefer that you know that his favorite things in life are being a husband, a father, and a grandfather. A perfect day includes a combination of being with children and horses.