G Brent Powers Law Office
3715 Beck Rd D-401, St Joseph, MO 64506
Q5QW+6R St Joseph, Missouri
18162330257
https://gbrentpowerslaw.com/
Nursing Home Lawyer in St. Joseph Mo
Where Can I Find a Nursing Home Lawyer in St. Joseph Mo?

We are here to help you, your family, make informed decisions and plan on Elder Law topics such as Medicaid planning, estate and asset protection. Our individual paths to our "golden year" are different. Unfortunately, it has become more difficult over the years. Our firm is proud to offer our clients customized planning and unique solutions. Contact us today if you have questions concerning your home, farm and real estate deeds.

Elder Law

Elder Law is a specialist practice that offers senior citizens guidance and help with their legal needs. As we get older, we have to deal with many different issues. Elder Law covers these and many other concerns that elderly people face.

Many elderly people fear losing their savings and home if they require long-term or nursing home care. They don’t want the burden of being a burden on their families or society.

Brent has provided expert and thoughtful advice to thousands of families across Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri, providing them with peace of heart. Over 30 years of experience in working with senior citizens to create estate plans, real property transfers, deeds.

Brent will be happy to discuss Elder Law with you and help you develop a plan.

Nursing Home Medicaid Planning. It is never too early to plan for Medicaid or long term care. Many people don't know how Medicaid works and haven't planned for long-term care. Many families do not know who is eligible and how planning for nursing home Medicaid can help their spouse or loved ones. It is important to select a Nursing home Attorney with extensive experience who is dedicated to helping families.

With his expertise in nursing home Medicaid planning, Brent has helped families across the community save thousands of dollars. Brent, as a Nursing Home Lawyer, would recommend the following key points regarding Medicaid:Brent, a lawyer for nursing homes, has some tips to help you remember the basics of Medicaid. While the majority of information about nursing home Medicaid is good-intentioned, it is almost always inaccurate.

It's almost never too early or too late to plan.

You can still get Medicaid assistance for your loved one even if they move to a nursing home.

It is vital to understand legal protections available to the spouse and loved ones of nursing home residents. People fear losing their home or life savings if their spouse/loved one moves into a nursing facility. We can almost always insure that this won't happen to you.

Numerous financial safety nets are available for both couples and seniors without jeopardizing Nursing Home Medicaid eligibility.

Division of Assets

The 1988 "Spousal Impoverishment act" was passed by Congress. It was intended to prevent married people from having to give up all their assets in order to qualify for Medicaid nursing home Medicaid. The "Community Spouse" can retain a portion of the couple’s resources while the "Institutionalized Spouse", who is eligible for Medicaid, can receive benefits.

Congress set limits on the assets that the Community Spouse may retain if the Institutionalized Spouse becomes eligible for benefits. These limits are also known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance. Missouri law allows the Community Spouse to keep at least $25728 for 2020, up to a maximum $128 640.00. This amount is adjusted each year for inflation and the cost of living. Missouri Medicaid's Division of Assets process determines the maximum amount that the Community Spouse may keep.

The Division of Assets is calculated the first day a Medicaid applicant is admitted into a hospital/nursing home for at least 30 consecutive days. The couple's countable assets are divided into 2 with each spouse receiving their one-half. It doesn't matter who owns the asset; the entire couple's assets are considered when determining the Division Of Assets. This means that the assets of the spouse with significantly more assets will be reduced. This is why it is important to work with an Elder Law attorney to ensure everyone's best interests are protected. According to the Wall Street Journal, 86% of widows are below the poverty line due to the cost of caring for their spouses.

Let's say John and Mary have $300,000. John has dementia and needs nursing home care. The Medicaid caseworker assigns the $300,000 worth of financial assets to Mary, who will then CSRA $128,640 and John $171,360. John must also have less than $5,000 to be eligible. John's assets must be paid down by the family, who will then have to spend $166.360. John and Mary will now be told to spend $55,360 of their savings each year before John is eligible for Medicaid. This reduction in assets means that 86% surviving spouses are at risk of living below the poverty level due to the spouse's medical bills.

John and Mary wouldn't need to spend any of their savings if they had a proper plan and were assisted by a qualified Medicaid Asset Protection attorney like G. Brent Powers. To avoid an expensive and regrettable situation, it is important to prepare the right legal documents and strategies.

But what if the planning was not perfected in time? All hope is lost It is not over. Mary can retain most of her financial assets, even if John is incapacitated. Mary could use a "Marital Medicaid Compliance Annuity" to help her. G Brent Powers is a professional with the necessary experience and expertise to make sure Mary doesn't become homeless.

Brent always makes time to meet in person with clients before presenting or applying for a court appearance.

Real Estate / Deeds

As they age, people begin to consider how to best transfer their farmland, home, or other property to their loved ones. Some people may require assistance in selling real estate without the help of a broker or agent.

Each family's situation should be evaluated in order to determine the best course. Is it possible to gift property to your children right away? What happens if your spouse requires long-term or nursing home care? What living trust would be the best? What are the tax implications of transferring property? Is it possible for the owner to finance the sale?

Brent has assisted hundreds of families over the years to make the right decision when they are transferring a house, farm, or other property.

Estate Planning

Proper estate planning is about maintaining control over your assets while you live, continuing to provide care for your loved ones even if you are incapacitated or disable, and distributing your property after you die to who you want, when and how you want it, at the lowest possible cost.

Proper planning should take into consideration your and your family’s unique needs and assets. Only then will we be able to determine the right documents and strategies that can be used to make sure your planning is as effective as possible.

Along with helping you set up an appropriate estate plan, Brent can help you with further advice on: Brent is available to help you create an estate plan.

Administration of trusts

Brent can help you decide the best way to manage your affairs.

Brent Powers was a lawyer in Saint Joseph since 1980.

His career began as a trial attorney. However, due to his parents' needs and the many referrals, he moved to Elder Law, Medicaid nursing homes planning and Division of Assets.

He served as the President of the Saint Joseph Bar Association. He also served on numerous community boards and took part in many events sponsored or organized by the Saint Joseph Bar Association in order to assist people in need of sound legal advice.

Brent is from Northwest Missouri, and he grew up near Saint Joseph.

He graduated from Central High School and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He then earned his law degree in Missouri – Kansas City.

He is a National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys member and the National Order of Social Security Claimsants' Representatives.

These national organizations offer education, training, as well as a national network for expertise to assist senior citizens and those with special needs.