Elder Law

If you reach the age of 65, your chances of needing long-term care are over 75%. The average annual cost of a private room in a nursing home in Ohio is estimated to be $129,122.

Many older people use Medicaid to help cover the cost of this stage of life, though qualifying for this aid can be complex.

I assist clients with both long-term and urgent planning for Medicaid eligibility and can help to maximize the lawful protection of hard-earned assets from the high cost of long-term care and from Medicaid estate recovery. Proper planning can prevent delays, denials, or unnecessary financial loss.

When a Medicaid recipient dies, the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program attempts to recover from their estate for the cost of assistance that Medicaid paid. With proper planning, you can protect some of your hard-earned assets from the cost of long-term care and from estate recovery by Medicaid.

Without an estate plan, the probate court may make decisions about your health and your finances. Sometimes these may not be the same decisions you would have made for yourself. A thoughtful estate plan ensures your personal care and financial choices are honored during your life and after your death.

Powers of attorney and advance directives allow you to choose someone you trust to assist with your affairs, and can help ensure that your financial and medical decisions are honored if you’re unable to make them yourself.

Guardianship may be required if someone cannot manage their health, finances, or personal affairs. I help families navigate the legal process of applying for guardianship while preserving the potential ward’s rights and dignity.

It’s also important to understand that proper estate planning done in advance can sometimes eliminate the need for a future guardianship or reduce the scope of a potential guardianship.

While it's always good to plan ahead, nobody can predict the future. An elder law attorney can often help protect assets even in a crisis situation. Don’t let what you have heard about Medicaid's look back period stop you from trying to preserve your assets.

You should review documents after major life changes including moves, retirements, births, and deaths, changes in health, or when financial circumstances shift. A check-in with your attorney every few years can help ensure your plan continues to reflect current laws and your own goals and wishes.