Why should someone hire an elder law attorney is a question that I get with a great deal of frequency. Many prospective clients want to know what benefit they will get by hiring an elder law attorney, and whether the cost to do so makes it worthwhile. This is a completely valid question and we … Read more
One of the most commonly asked questions I get is “what is the timeline to apply for Medicaid and do the spend down?” In other words, once we have a plan in place, how does this whole process work? There are basically 5 stages to the process of applying for Medicaid. Here’s a quick overview: … Read more
Do you have a parent or spouse who may need to enter a nursing home within the next five years? If so, you need to read on to prepare yourself for helping them to possibly submit an application for Medicaid in North Carolina. What’s the big deal you ask? An application for Medicaid is a … Read more
One of the greatest tools available to estate planning and elder law attorneys is the irrevocable Wealth Preservation Trust. If you are like me when I first heard about this type of trust, you are probably thinking “that sounds cool, what is it?” Before we get into the nuts and bolts of what an irrevocable … Read more
Yesterday I met with a client who had hired me to help him to determine how to navigate the minefield that is Medicaid Planning for his mother. I had already drafted a family asset protection letter for him, outlining the specific facts of his mother’s situation and providing various strategies for him to consider. It … Read more
One of the harsh realities of life is that if you live long enough, at some point you may need move into a long-term care facility, otherwise known as a “skilled nursing facility”. The cost of these facilities can be downright crippling to most families. At a typical cost of between $6,500 to $10,000 per … Read more
North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allows individuals to use Ladybird Deeds to protect their personal residence. But what is a Ladybird Deed anyway, and how do you know if you need one? One of the best ways to explain a Ladybird Deed is to use a simple hypothetical. The Story … Read more
As people age, they aren’t always able to stay in the home they’ve lived in for many years. It could be that their home is too big, requires too much maintenance, or has just become too expensive to live in. Or perhaps they decide to move closer to children or other family members who can … Read more