Carol J. Wessels

Carol J. Wessels

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 37 years

Elder law Lawyer at Mequon, WI
Practice Areas: Elder Law, Probate, Guardianship, Estate Planning

11649 N. Port Washington Rd, Suite #210, Mequon, WI

About Carol

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Elder Law 70%

I have been practicing Elder Law since 1991. My practice focuses on the needs of senior citizens, disabled individuals, and their families. I help people navigate the complicated and confusing challenges facing them, and strive to do so in a compassionate, professional, understandable and effective manner. When people need answers, I help them to understand the requirements of benefit programs like Medicaid, Family Care, and Veterans Benefits.

35 years

70%
Estate Planning 10%

I handle the preparation of advance directives such as powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and special needs trusts.

24 years

10%
Guardianship 10%

I help families where guardianship is the only option to secure a legal decisionmaker for their loved one. I always explore whether less restrictive options like powers of attorney, can be done instead. I also help people who want to challenge a guardianship, either because they feel they are not incompetent, they disagree with the guardianship for other reasons, or they disagree with the proposed placement such as a nursing home.

35 years

10%
Probate 10%

24 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Wisconsin for 37 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 1988

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Wessels Law Office LLC

11649 N. Port Washington Rd, Suite #210, Mequon, WI, 53092

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Carol J. Wessels's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

3 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Harlan | July 30, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Medicaid Application

My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and I knew that at some point in time I'd need financial assistance so my retirement savings won't be totally depleted. With our health care support changing rapidly and minimal support from our county ADRC, I needed somebody that has the knowledge of th...e Medicaid regulations. Carol Wessels presented several classes to an Alzheimer's Support Group and gave me enough information to think that we might be approved for Medicaid assistance. She gave me the guidance I needed to gather the information for her office to complete the application and respond back to many additional questions that came back from this application. What a relief to have her support and eventually accepted for Medicaid assistance.

Posted by Julie | July 28, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best lawyer around!

Carol is very knowledgeable and empathetic. She has the ability to look at the whole picture and give the family a plan. I met with Carol when I was overwhelmed with the changes in my husband, due to dementia. Her calm demeanor and kindness to my husband touched my heart. She knows how to relate w...ell to those with Alzheimer's. Without her, the Medicaid application and process would have been daunting. I highly recommend her!

Posted by Julie | May 12, 2012

Compassionate and competent

Ms. Wessels has done an exemplary job handling my mother's legal affairs. Her case was difficult and at times frustrating, but Carol managed all with incredible patience, competence, and compassion. I would highly recommend her.

See All Client Reviews

Carol J. Wessels's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Carol
Robert E. Nennig Jr. headshot
Robert Nennig

Elder law lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Carol is an extremely talented and knowledgeable attorney and I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of Elder Law or Guardianship services. Carol's expertise in these fields is unmatched. She is a leader in these fields, yet still finds time to generously teach and mentor other attorneys who aspire to be like her. However, what truly sets her apart from other attorneys is the empathy and compassionate she has with her clients and their situations and the determination and skill she uses in representing them. She is a true advocate for her clients, and in my opinion is a pillar of the legal community."

Collin Marc Ritzinger headshot
Collin Ritzinger

Elder law lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Carol is the pinnacle example of what it means to be an elder law attorney. There are few that can match skill, experience, and her passion. Carol is also a great advocate who shows compassion for all her clients."

Teresa K. Kobelt headshot
Teresa Kobelt

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Carol for many years, and she is my go-to person for questions on Elder Law, Estate Planning and Guardianship issues. She is a wealth of information wrapped in perhaps the best demeanor you are going to find in a lawyer. I highly recommend Carol to anyone."

Robert Jacob Welcenbach headshot
Robert Welcenbach

Probate lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I had the opportunity to have a case with Carol and found her to be very knowledgeable, professional and a zealous advocate for her client. I would recommend her to anyone in need of assistance with estate planning, guardianship or probate."

Joanne Kay Leifheit headshot
Joanne Leifheit

Elder law lawyer | May 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Carol. Carol is a leader among the state elder law attorneys. Carol is a frequent speaker and is a knowledgeable expert and committed advocate in elder law areas including guardianship matters, probate, advocating for the disabled and seniors, Medicaid, Veterans Benefits, and Social Security."

View All Endorsements
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Patricia J. Nelson headshot
Patricia Nelson

Elder law lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2013

2013 Leader in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal- http://wislawjournal.com/2013/02/05/wessels-champions-elderly-disabled/

2012

Leading MILW attorney in Estate Planning & Health Law, M Magazine http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=116676&p=80

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Owner, Wessels Law Office LLC

2006 - 2014

Partner, Nelson Irvings & Wessels SC

2004 - 2007

Owner, Wessels Law Office

1997 - 2004

Director/supervising attorney, SeniorLAW - Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc

1994 - 1996

Attorney, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups - Elder Law Center

1991 - 1994

Attorney, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.

1990 - 1991

Associate, Law Offices Of William A. Pangman & Associates

1988 - 1990

Assistant U.S. Attorney, State Public Defender's Office

Associations

2018 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Board of Directors

State Bar of Wisconsin, Public Interest Law Section

Past Chair

State Bar of Wisconsin, Elder Law Section

Board Member

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Member

Ozaukee County Bar Association

Member

Education

1988

University of Wisconsin Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1985

University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

15th Annual Elder Law Workshop

Representing Victims of Elder Abuse

2005

Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy Training

The Guardian ad Litem’s Role in Placing People with Developmental Disabilities or Mental Illness in the Community

2005

State Bar of Wisconsin

Incompetency, the Legal Perspective

2004

State Bar of WI seminar

Defending Advance Directives

2004

Elder Law Section Workshop

Medicaid Waiver Programs

2001

Legal Action Volunteer Lawyers Training

Practical Tips for Handling Elder Abuse Cases" Special Problems of the Aging Annual Seminar; "Guardianship Fees" Guardianship Symposium; and "Nursing Home Residents' Rights"

2001

Inaugural Public Interest Law Conference

MA Long Term Care Programs

2001

Inaugural Public Interest Law Conference

Increasing Assets in Spousal Impoverishment Cases

2000

State Bar Midwinter Convention

Medical Debt Collection

2000

State Bar Convention

Legislative and Administrative Updates Elder Law

N/A

Special Problems of the Aging Annual Seminar

Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage

N/A

Special Problems of the Aging Annual Seminar

Medicare Supplemental Insurance: Mandatory Benefits

Publications

2005

Marquette Elder’s Advisor Journal Treated with Respect: Enforcing Patient Autonomy by Defending Advance Directives

2002

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Quarterly Journal "Independent Living" Eviction in Subsidized Housing

1997

State Bar of Wisconsin Advising Older Clients and Their Families

1995

Center for Public Representation, Inc. Senior Citizens and the Law

Languages

French

English

Spanish

Activity

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