Both of my parents had severe dementia. Like many adult children, I supported them as they aged and needed increasing assistance and care. Watching my parents navigate these transitions, I found myself asking:
- “Does this mean I will also have dementia?”
- “Would my family be OK if something happened to me?”
- “Does my husband know what bills I pay every month?”
- “If something happened, who would care for my dog?”
At the time, I was practicing as an international human rights lawyer. And like many lawyers, I gravitate toward legal solutions—especially when things feel uncertain. So, my husband and I hired a fantastic estate planning attorney to help us plan for our future, including the possibility of dementia.
She drafted a financial power of attorney so we could name someone to step in and manage finances during my lifetime, if needed. That process led to important conversations between my husband and me—especially about the tasks we each handle that the other might not even be aware of.
She also created a healthcare directive tailored to my concerns about dementia—one that not only provided guidance for my care and protection, but also supported my family members in the role of caregiver. She drafted a trust to ensure my assets would be distributed easily and efficiently after my passing—avoiding probate—and even included provisions for my dog, Mochi
These documents put my mind at ease. I felt lighter walking out of her office. The questions that had been swirling in my mind were now identified, addressed, and clearly spelled out in legally binding documents.
Even as a lawyer, I still experience personal life transitions as a human being. When I was helping my parents, I was showing up as their daughter. When I worried about losing capacity or dying, I was worrying as a wife and mother. The legal support I received in those roles deeply resonated with me—and ultimately pulled me toward this area of law.
I was proud of the human rights work I had done. But I knew I wanted to give individuals and families the same peace of mind I had experienced.
Believe me, I still have plenty of other things to worry about—my teenage driver, my dog’s refusal to go outside in the rain, and my car’s check engine light. Typical everyday things.
But one major category of worries? Resolved.
And remember that great lawyer I mentioned?
I work with her now.
Camry Fielders—estate planning attorney extraordinaire—was the lawyer I hired before I ever practiced in this field. I often call her the “Simone Biles” of estate planning. She’s a naturally gifted attorney and relentlessly dedicated to her craft.
At Schromen Law, our entire team works with the same care and compassion Camry showed me. It’s an honor to support individuals and families through estate planning and elder law matters—guiding them through decisions about health, legacy, and peace of mind.
The material contained herein is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between Schromen Law, LLC and the reader. The information contained herein is not offered as legal advice and should not be construed as legal advice.
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