Elder Law

Helping Seniors Plan for Elder Care Needs

The possibility that one will need a nursing home, long-term care or some other form of elder care is a significant concern for people as they get older. Even people with significant savings often cannot afford a quality nursing home over a period of years.

Meeting Medicaid Requirements While Preserving Property

Under the federal Medicaid law, many seniors qualify for government assistance if they enter a nursing home or need another form of long-term elder care. However, limits on eligibility for Medicaid often include the expectation that property will be sold to pay elder care bills.

With careful Medicaid planning, you can maximize the amount of property you are allowed to keep while qualifying for benefits. This can be particularly important if one spouse is in a nursing home and the other is not.

Establishing a Trust to Benefit a Surviving Spouse

Another situation in which skilled elder law assistance can help is when one spouse dies while the other is in a nursing home and receiving Medicaid assistance. A supplemental needs trust is a special mechanism that may allow the deceased spouse's estate to be left for the benefit of the other without that person losing Medicaid benefits.

Miller Trusts

Miller Trusts may be used to help qualify for Medicaid benefits when income is otherwise over the allowable limit.

As the American population gets older, the need for attorneys with a sophisticated understanding of elder law is on the rise. If you are looking for a lawyer who can help you plan to meet your elder care needs contact our offices today!

Do you have questions or do you want to make an appointment in this area?

Call us at (972) 712-1515 or use our contact form.