Elder Law Practice Blog
Learn About Nursing Homes, Medicaid, And How To Protect Your Loved Ones Assets
Family Caregivers
Part Of An Invisible Workforce updated October 7th, 2019 When a family member has a cognitive impairment and cannot manage his/her affairs, legal and/or financial planning is often needed. Areas of concern for family caregivers include future health care decisions,...
3 Medicaid Myths – Part 1: Medicaid (or the Nursing Home) Can Take Mom’s Home!
This is a widespread rumor. You or your parent(s) have worked a long time and paid off the home. You hope and pray that your spouse or parent never have to go to a Nursing Home. But sometimes it's inevitable. Probably one of the first thoughts that pop in your head is...
How Do I Become Someone’s Guardian?
Last week, we opened the discussion of which would be better to have for an incapacitated Loved One - Power of Attorney or Guardianship. This week, we will continue that discussion; focusing primarily on guardianships. A guardianship is not something you obtain just...
Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship
So, here you are taking care of Momma and her decline is rapid. You realize that if her decline in health continues, that she may soon be unable to make decisions for herself. You have heard you may need a Power of Attorney or a Guardianship in the event she loses...
Staying out of the Nursing Home
A few weeks ago a client asked, “But what if I want to STAY OUT of the Nursing Home???" That is a fair question. I mean, if we were to take a straw poll of the readers of this blog asking something like the following question: If you were to become incapacitated...
Spending It ALL Down to Qualify for Medicaid
We see many people spend their estate all the way down (close to zero) before they apply for Medicaid assistance to help pay their Nursing Home Expenses. Why do they do this? Many have been told this is just the way it is. The belief is, they must spend down to less...
It’s Never Too Late for Medicaid to Pay
It’s Never Too Late! That’s the answer I give many of our clients when they ask whether it is too late to apply for Medicaid to help pay their parent’s Nursing Home expenses. However, I guess the one big unfortunate exception to that statement is “It’s too late when...
Rehab – When Medicare Stops Paying
Some families don’t know what to do when a parent is suddenly discharged from rehab and Medicare stops paying. The big key in this situation is to be proactive. Ask questions and take action so you are not trapped in a payment gap. In this blog, we have laid out a few...
Estate Planning: Is Your Parent’s “House” in Order?
Wait a minute! I’m talking about your parent’s estate planning, right? Shouldn’t this article be directed to your parents? There are two main reasons why I am addressing the kids: If you (or your parents) are like 70% of the rest of America, then you or they have not...