AARP reports that Baby Boomers are the generation with the highest divorce rates. Divorce among older adults in the United States has been on the rise since 1990. By 2019, 36 percent of divorces involved people 50 and older.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that pays for long-term care costs for individuals who meet certain asset requirements. The cost of long-term care often has devastating financial impacts for Americans, particularly the elderly, and family members who are providing care for their loved ones while losing income (and more). Among the best ways to afford long-term care is through Medicaid. Medicaid crisis planning is a strategy that can help you qualify for Medicaid without experiencing financial ruin.
As a joint federal and state social safety net Medicaid differs by eligibility rules and regulations in every state, and even by name. Unfortunately, people often wait until a catastrophic event brings about sudden illness, disability, or other medical crises before planning long-term care. Under duress, a family system will listen and take advice from misinformed individuals, such as non-attorneys or attorneys who do not practice elder law. Unwittingly, these people tend to give the worst advice: spend everything you have until you qualify under the Medicaid eligibility rules. Though this approach can work, there are far better strategies that can be employed.
With the help of an elder law attorney, Medicaid crisis planning allows you to qualify for Medicaid nursing home/LTC without spending down all your life’s assets. Working with an elder law attorney to devise a personal Medicaid crisis plan is a logical and financially prudent approach to long-term care and allows you or a loved one to use legally approved strategies to qualify for Medicaid before spending everything you own on the inflated cost of nursing home care.
If you have a loved one who is either in a nursing home or about to enter a nursing home, that is the time to speak to an elder law attorney. There are legal strategies that allow a person who needs long-term care to divest themselves of some of their assets and use the rest to pay for their care until Medicaid eligibility is met. The sooner an elder law attorney is employed, the quicker Medicaid eligibility can be met. However, it’s never too late, even if you or a loved one are already in a nursing home.
The level of complexity involved in Medicaid crisis planning deems it necessary to retain an elder law attorney, preferably one specializing in Medicaid planning. Eligibility requirements vary, calculations are complex, timing is crucial, forms are ever-changing, and laws are amended. An elder law attorney can tailor your financial situation to the best Medicaid crisis planning solution and protect your financial future.
If you would like to discuss ways we can help, please contact our office at (352) 565-7737. Conversations are complimentary.
