Legal Counsel about Medicaid Eligibility and Nursing Home Planning

Medicaid Planning ● Asset Protection ● Special Needs Trusts

The decision for a family member to enter a nursing home is never an easy one. In many cases, it is made when a medical crisis demands around-the-clock nursing care. In some circumstances, though, it results from a long-term decline in health or functioning (such as Alzheimer's' disease or dementia).

Whether your family is facing this critical decision today or expects to face it in five years, there are steps you can take to plan for the transition and to protect the financial interests of your family member. The more time you have for planning, the more protection estate planning can offer you. However, even in emergencies, an attorney may be able to help you protect assets for a healthy spouse who does not need nursing home care.

Elder law attorney Fred Baker has been helping families with estate planning to care for and elder and disabled family members since 1976. To schedule a consultation at the Baker Law Firm, P.C., in Danbury Connecticut, contact our office.

Elder law attorney Fred Baker Link to FindLaw Profile has been helping families with estate planning Link to Estate Planning to care for and elder and disabled family members since 1976. To schedule a consultation at the Baker Law Firm, P.C. Link to Firm & Practice Overview, in Danbury Connecticut, contact our office Link to Contact Us.

Medicaid Eligibility and Nursing Home Planning

Nursing home care is expensive. The federal government assists people who lack the financial means to pay for ongoing nursing home care through the government benefit program of Medicaid, but there are strict financial eligibility requirements.

Some families believe they must "spend down" their assets in order to qualify for Medicaid, but impoverishing your family without understanding Medicaid eligibility and application requirements can leave both a healthy spouse and the person in the nursing home in difficult circumstances.

Talk with an elder lawyer who understands Medicaid and its spend-down requirements so that you can make wise decisions that safeguard seniors and allow them to use their assets for their benefit. Mr. Baker can also explain when and how trusts (such as special needs trusts) can be used to protect assets.

Contact the estate and Medicaid planning lawyer at the Baker Law Firm to schedule a consultation.