Associate Melissa D. Yates

Member of the

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Denton & Keuler associate Melissa D. Yates has joined the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.  Mrs. Yates is the only attorney from western Kentucky who is a member of the Academy. The field of experts predicts that 20% of the population will be age 65 or older by 2030.

Elder Law issues include the following:

• Estate Preservation;
• Medicaid and Medicare;
• Social Security Claims and Appeals;
• Disability Planning;
• Estate Planning;
• Elder Abuse;
• Health Care Quality;
• Nursing Home issues; and
• Consumer Protection.

A cum laude graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, Melissa has further enhanced her knowledge of elder law by attending several seminars. These include training in Kentucky Medicaid Annuity Planning, Medicaid & Elder Law Issues in Kentucky, Planning in the 21st Century for Today's Older Clients, Kentucky Medicare & Medicaid Benefits and Eligibility for the Elderly, and Purchase Area Mental Health & Aging Conference.

Mrs. Yates was the featured speaker at the February meeting of the McCracken County Bar Association on February 17, 2003. The focus of the presentation dealt with estate recovery and technical, financial, and procedural requirements for Medicaid applicants.

Melissa's presentations include:

• Kentucky Oaks Mall Walkers;
• Broadway United Methodist Church Seasoned Adults;
• Paducah-McCracken County Senior Citizen's Center;
• Princeton Kiwanis;
• Ogden Methodist Church seminars - Princeton, Kentucky;
• Rotary Club - Metropolis, Illinois;
• Not Older But Better (NOBBS) Ogden Methodist Church - Princeton, Kentucky;
• Heartland Worship Center Senior's Organization - Paducah, Kentucky;
• International Association of Administrative Professionals - Paducah, Kentucky.

Additionally and in conjunction with the McCracken County Library, Melissa will be holding pro bono counseling sessions on a quarterly basis to answer questions on elder law issues. The first of these will be held on July 17.  For an appointment, you may contact the McCracken County Public Library at 442-2510.

For further information on Elder Law and related senior issues, contact Mrs. Yates at myates@dklaw.com.