For more than 30 years, CAROL A. PETERS, Esq. has represented diverse clients throughout Los Angeles and surrounding counties as an Attorney in civil matters. 

For more than 11 years, before and during law school, CAROL PETERS worked for the County of Los Angeles in the public benefits administration system, for the Dept. of Public Social Services (DPSS).  She understands the public policy issues underlying public benefits programs, including Medi-Cal, plus the rules governing eligibility and welfare determinations.

Carol Peters' is an Elder Law Attorney.  She includes a bioethics viewpoint in her pre-need estate-planning services.  The goal is to support now, in advance of need, the future senior's own plans for their own future care, later, ~ before becoming a Long Term Care (LTC) patient.  

Carol Peters is knowledgable about ESTATE PLANNING, including Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney.  Often the Client's matter can be handled without a Court filings.  When the Attorney serves as a Counselor-At-Law, the Attorney can draft the appropriate documents to support the Care Plan, as foreseen by the Client.   

Other times, if the Client has some capacity issues, it may be necessary to Petition the Court for a Conservator to be appointed, to have authority to oversee and pay for the Care Plan, to administer the financial affairs of the incapacitated person, and to report formally to the Court and third parties, all as required by law.   

Carol Peters provides ESTATE SETTLEMENT services to the fiduciary handling the affairs of the deceased person, so that after administration, the ultimate  distribution can be made to heirs or beneficiaries.  That fiduciary person may be an Executor (of a Will) or a Trustee (of a Trust). 

[A living person's fiduciary may be an Attorney-In-Fact (serving under a Power Of Attorney) or a Trustee, or a Court-appointed Conservator, Trustee (Substituted Judgment).]

    >As a CONSULTANT, Carol Peters works with other Attorneys regarding LTC Medi-Cal planning issues in their caseload.  Sometimes this work is done as an in-house adviser to the other Attorney.  Other times this work is done as the second attorney on the case, to resolve disputes that are presented by the parties' issues, or when two attorneys are needed to represent two spouses with a Conflict Of Interest. 

    >As a MEDIATOR, Carol Peters serves as a Neutral, working with the family (often with the referring Attorney present) to provide accurate and current information about public benefits eligibility issues and processes, so that all parties involved can make good decisions, design a Care Plan, and move forward in its implementation, to meet the Care Plan needs of the elderly or disabled family member. 

Frequently when LTC Medi-Cal eligibility issues are explained and/or the rules are documented, clearly, the parties involved are then able to agree easily on a Care Plan, for the benefit of the patient.  This resolution of EOL (End Of Life) care issues can often create family harmony. 

    >As an EXPERT WITNESS about LTC Medi-Cal planning rules and requirements, Carol Peters supports the work of Litigation Attorneys, who must present an organized case to the Trial Court.  Often a contested matter involves an elder (over 65 years) or a dependent adult (age 18-64 years) who has been the victim of financial elder abuse because a lack of understanding about LTC Medi-Cal or other public benefit rules.  When the rules about the eligibility determinations for the period at issue are clearly stated to the Court, then the Court has an evidentiary yardstick by which to measure compliance or deviation in the financial transactons.  

Using a neutral communicator serve as an expert witness about pre-need LTC Medi-Cal planning can be helpful to ALL parties, whether in Court, at a family meeting, or at a Care Plan conference.  

Each case is different because each family is different, and each patient's own special needs are different and unique.