James Miller

Elder Law and Medicaid Planning Attorneys in Worcester, Massachusetts Helping Your Loved One Get the Nursing Home Care They Deserve While Legally Protecting Your Family's Assets Confused about Medicaid? You're not alone! The complexity surrounding this constantly changing area of the law can sometimes feel overwhelming... it doesn't need to be. Our law firm provides families with easy to understand, timely information about Medicaid planning and eligibility, nursing home law, and all other issues pertaining to elder law. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping families legally protect their assets from the high expense of long-term care by helping them plan for and qualify for Medicaid benefits. Your loved ones deserve the best elder care available. Our firm is here to protect your family and help you understand elder law and Medicaid eligibility. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation! What is Elder Law? Elder Law involves planning for the complex health care, long-term care, and other issues facing elderly and disabled individuals and their families. Studies show that we stand a 40 percent chance of needing long-term care at least once before we die. Therefore, everyone should take into account that at some point residency in a nursing home or an assisted living facility may be needed. However, the substantial cost of nursing home care for an incapacitated person can wipe away a family's nest egg and the inheritance planned for surviving family members. The primary alternative to privately paying the nursing home is Medicaid. Medicaid Planning Myths So many times clients come to our office under the mistaken impression that there is nothing that can be done to protect assets from nursing home costs. Fortunately much of the circulating consumer knowledge is false or misinterpreted. For example, it isn�t always necessary to wait 5 years after gifting assets to become eligible for Medicaid. The answer actually depends upon the specific facts of your case. With the help of an experienced Elder Law and Medicaid Planning attorney many of the assets you have spent a lifetime accumulating can be protected from high nursing home expenses. Medicaid Asset Protection Strategies Although with the recent passage of the Deficit Reduction Act, increased restrictions affect the use of some techniques, other asset protection strategies remain viable, especially for married couples where one spouse requires long-term care. Some of these techniques may include setting up an Irrevocable Living Trust, making gifts to family members, and paying for certain Medicaid expenses. Whether you are facing long-term care issues yourself or you have a family member who is, we encourage you to call with your questions or ask us for a free report. Be sure to call sooner rather than later because the timing of the decisions families need to make has a dramatic impact on whether or not someone can actually qualify for this type of support.