Elise Dixon, Esq. is Partner at Barclay, Dixon & Smith, P.C. Her firm offers complete estate planning and elder law services including Medicaid planning and VA benefit consultation in the Metropolitan Chicagoland area.

Elise is devoted to preparing seniors and the people who love them for the financial, physical and emotional changes that come with growing older, as well as providing sound legal counsel in times of family or economic crisis. Elise understands that each client has their unique financial, family, medical and emotional circumstance, all of which is considered in developing a plan for each individual. Ultimately, her aim is to relieve her client’s fears and provide them with peace of mind from knowing a plan is in place for the future for them and their loved ones.

Contact us today if you have immediate needs in any of the following areas:

• Estate Planning
• Elder Law Services
• Veterans Benefits

Estate Planning

Why do I need Estate Planning? I am not rich!

Estate planning is not only for wealthy individuals. Most people have a greater net worth than they realize – equity in family property, retirement funds, life insurance policies, etc. Without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the State of Illinois rules, also known as intestacy. The State may not pass your assets to the people you care about most. You should be sure by leaving a document that leaves no question regarding your wishes.

An estate plan covers far more than your assets and possession. It s a set of documents that expresses your wishes and guides family members (a) should you die; or (b) if you become incapacitated by illness, accident or mental infirmity. Elise will personally walk you through all these important considerations:

• A will to declare who inherits your assets and manages your business and financial affairs
• Trusts to preserve assets and pass them to your heirs with the least hassle and taxes
• Supplemental Needs Trust to protect family assets for disabled beneficiaries, while keeping their eligibility for public benefits
• Powers of attorney to manage your personal affairs, if you cannot
• Health care power of attorney and living will for medical and life support decisions
• Guardianship of minor children or vulnerable adults
• Assisted living or nursing home planning to pay for long-term care

Elise will schedule annual meetings with you to review your documents to ensure they are up to date with our wishes.

Contact us today and schedule your free consultation to discuss creating a will or updating your current documents if your circumstances have changed. We will make in-home visits for mobility challenged clients.

Elder Law Services

Elder Law refers to all the legal matters relating to the “golden years” and beyond. Can you stay in your house with home health care? How will you pay for the nursing home? How can you legally transfer assets to your eventual heirs? How do you intervene to protect your elderly parents?

We can advise you on a wide range of matters for the elderly and their caretakers:

Life care – Managing your health care at different stages

Medicaid planning – Managing assets to qualify for Medicaid nursing home assistance, while possibly leaving assets to family members

Guardianship – Asking the court to put you in charge of Mom or Dad’s financial affairs and health care

Estate planning – Establishing wills, trusts and powers of attorney

Wealth transfer – strategies to preserve assets for beneficiaries

Contact us today to arrange your free consultation. We will make in-home visits for mobility challenged clients.

Veterans Benefits

Although most VA pensions are only for veterans who were wounded or disabled while they were serving in the armed forces, there are millions of veterans and their spouses that may be eligible for special monthly pension benefits solely because they are over 65 years of age and are homebound, in assisted/supportive living, or in a nursing home.

Those veterans and/or their survivors only need to prove that their medical expenses exceed certain income and asset limitations. The maximum benefit available can provide significant help in paying for long term care costs.

Elise is Veterans Benefits Consultant who can assist you and your family by explaining the many difficult-to-understand things about long-term care. There are several considerations that need to be addressed. Let Elise be your advocate and help you understand your options.

Contact us today for your free consultation and find out if you qualify for a VA pension. We will make in-home visits for mobility challenged clients.

Proudly serving the Chicago Metropolitan area.

Elise received her Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She worked as a certified Public Accountant, prior to receiving her Juris Doctor Degree from Northwestern University School of Law. Elise was admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois in 1992. Her education in accounting and business, together with her extensive legal experience, make her eminently qualified to help families plan their financial future and survive periods of financial crisis.

She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. She also serves as a Board Member of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.

"I find Elise to be extremely knowledgeable, helpful and thorough. She is a very good listener and doesn’t judge. She is extremely patient and has listened to all my family stories over the years without making judgments or offering her personal opinion. Instead, she has offered me solid legal advice based on my situation.”

“We communicate a lot through email and she is quick to timestamp my requests and document the changes. She has compiled my estate plan on a disc that even includes pictures of tangible items that I want distributed. The disc makes it easy for me to provide copies to trusted individuals who need a copy of my wishes.”
“I could not be happier with her service." ~ Charlene Williams , Estate Planning Client

“Elise is a very thorough person. She is pleasant, patient, understanding and willing to go the extra mile to help her clients get the services they need. She always makes me feel important by making herself available for whatever questions I have. I always feel comfortable that she knows what she is doing, not just because of her experience in school, but because of her experience in the workplace as well. “

“I have used my Estate Plan to refer other clients to her. It is a good example of her professionalism in putting together a good plan. I am very comfortable referring her to others.” ~ Robert E. Wells, Estate Planning Client

“Attorney Dixon is fantastic! She handled some real estate business for me. I was very well pleased with her service. She took personal interest in what I needed and responded quickly to my request. She is very nice and a great attorney. I am very satisfied with the work she did for me.” ~ Ralph Parr, Real Estate Client.