Can elder care law firms help with medicaid?
On One Hand: Elder Law Attorneys Can Help Preserve AssetsIn order to qualify for Medicaid, individuals must usually have spent the bulk of their assets paying for care out of their own pockets. Attempting to hide assets through gifting can lead to stiff penalties. Most elder law attorneys are aware of loopholes that allow individuals to protect as many of their assets as possible while still qualifying for Medicaid.On the Other: Medicaid Applications Are StraightforwardAlthough Medicaid applications differ from state to state, most are designed to be easily understood and completed. Any assistance an individual needs in completing the Medicaid form can usually be obtained at no cost from the Medicaid office.Bottom LineAn elder law attorney can be helpful in complicated situations, such as when there are assets to protect or when spouses must divide assets so that one can have Medicaid pay for nursing home care while the other remains in the community.
