Patricia Dudek

Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek practices in the areas of elder law, probate and estate planning, and disability rights. She concentrates her practice in the area of estate planning for people with disabilities, elders, and their families. Her practice includes advising and preparing estate planning documents, including special needs trusts; representation in Medicaid matters to secure appropriate mental health, long-term support, medical services, and housing; and the administration of estates and trusts, guardianship, conservatorship, and other protective arrangements. A member of the Oakland County Bar Association, Ms. Dudek is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is a council member and past chairperson of its Elder Law and Disability Rights Section. As an advocate for persons with disabilities, she is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, a past chairperson of its Trust Special Interest Group, and the 2005 recipient of the academy's Powley Award. In addition, she is secretary of the board of directors of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Metropolitan Detroit. Ms. Dudek has written and lectured extensively on topics related to estate planning for people with disabilities and their right to control their support services. Ms. Dudek is the author of the model contracts for Michigan's Self Determination Initiative. The first attorney in Michigan to draft a Pooled Accounts Trust for Medicaid planning, Ms. Dudek advises individuals, their families, and the organizations that established these trusts on their use to develop creative public and private solutions for the support and housing needs of elders and people with disabilities.