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 want to help you and your loved ones make informed decisions about Elder Law issues, such as estate planning and nursing home Medicaid planning. Everybody has their own path to "golden years". Unfortunately, this path has become more complex over the years. Our firm prides themselves on providing unique solutions and planning that are tailored to each client's needs. If you have any questions regarding your farm, home, real estate deeds or power of attorney, trusts and wills, probate vs. unprobate transfer, long-term care, or trusts vs. Wills, please contact our firm today.

Elder Law

Elder Law is a specialist practice that offers senior citizens guidance and help with their legal needs. As we age, many issues arise that are not common in our younger years. These include housing, long-term care, wealth transfers and retirement. Elder Law includes these and many other areas that concern the elderly.

Many elderly citizens worry that they will lose their home and savings if they are in need of long-term nursing home care. They don't wish to become a burden for their family or society.

With his thoughtful and skilled advice, Brent has brought peace of mind to thousands families in Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri. With over 30 years experience, he can assist clients in developing estate plans, property transfers, deeds probate, power-of- attorney, trusts and other legal needs of senior citizens.

Brent will help you to create an Elder Law plan. Call Brent today.

Nursing Home Medicaid Planning. It is never too early to plan for Medicaid or long term care. Many people don’t plan for long term care, and they are often misinformed about the process of Medicaid. Many families don't know who is eligible for nursing home Medicaid planning or how it can benefit them or their family. It is important that you choose a Nursing Home Attorney who has the experience and is dedicated helping families.

Through effective nursing home Medicaid planning Brent has helped many families in our community save hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a Nursing Home Lawyer, Brent would advise a few key things to remember when it comes to Medicaid - Brent, a nursing home lawyer, would recommend a few key points to remember about Medicaid. Most of what people tell you about nursing facility Medicaid is not accurate.

It is almost never too soon or too late for planning.

Your loved ones can still receive Medicaid benefits even after they move into a nursing home.

It is crucial to be aware of legal protections and strategies that are available for the spouse or family member of a resident at a nursing facility. People are often afraid that they might lose their home or their life savings if their spouse or a loved one must move into a nursing care facility. In most cases, we can guarantee that this will not happen.

There are many financial safeguards available for couples and elderly without jeopardizing Nursing Home Medicaid eligibility.

Division of Assets

A 1988 law, commonly known as the "Spousal Impoverishment Law", was passed by Congress. This law, which is often referred to as the "Spousal Impoverishment Bill", was meant to prevent married couples having to lose all of their assets before one of them could qualify for nursing home Medicaid. The spouse who stays in the home (the "Community Spouse") is allowed to keep some of their resources while the spouse who requires Medicaid (the"Institutionalized Spouse") may 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's 2020 Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) allows for a minimum of $25,728 and a maximum amount of $128.640.00. This amount is adjusted every year to reflect inflation and costs of living. Missouri Medicaid allows for a Division of Assets to be used to determine how much the Community Spouse is allowed to keep.

The Division of Assets starts on the day the Medicaid applicant is admitted for at least 30 consecutive nights to a hospital/nursing facility. The couple's countable assets are divided into 2 with each spouse receiving their one-half. It doesn't really matter who the asset belongs to, as the assets of both spouses are combined in determining the Division. This means that a spouse with significant assets will have their assets reduced. It is crucial to consult an Elder Law lawyer to help you navigate this process. This will ensure that everyone's rights 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 is going to allocate $300,000 in financial assets, and attribute $128.640 to Mary (as her CSRA) and $171.360 to John. John must also have less than $5,000 to be eligible. John's assets will be credited to the family and they will be required 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. A reduction of the assets of the Community Spouse of this magnitude will mean that 86% of the surviving spouses will live below the poverty line because of the spouse's medical expenses.

John and Mary don't have any need to spend their entire life savings if they are able to plan well and get the advice of an experienced Medicaid Asset Protection attorney, such as G. Brent Powers. It is crucial to plan ahead and use the correct legal documents and strategies to avoid a costly and embarrassing situation.

What if there was no planning? Can all hope be lost? It is not over. Mary would be able to keep almost all of her financial assets even if John is now in a nursing care facility by using what is called a "Marital Medicaid Compatible Annuity". G Brent Powers has the knowledge and expertise required to ensure Mary's financial security.

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 think about how to best transfer their house, farmland, and other properties to loved ones. Others may require help selling real estate, even without the assistance of an agent or broker.

Every family's situation must be assessed to determine the best course of action. Do you think there are benefits to gifting your property to your kids now? What happens when you or your spouse need long-term, or nursing home care. What is the best option? What tax consequences will you face if your property is transferred? Are you allowed to finance the purchase of your property by an owner?

Brent has assisted many families to make the right decisions in transferring their homes, farms, or businesses over the years.

Estate Planning

Proper estate planning involves maintaining control of your assets and continuing to care for your loved ones. It also means that you can distribute your property after your death to the people you choose, whenever you wish, and at the lowest cost.

Proper planning requires that we consider the unique needs of your family and their assets. Only then, can we decide which documents and strategies are needed to make your planning work.

Brent can help with additional advice and assistance, as well as helping you establish a suitable estate plan.

Administration of trusts

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

Brent Powers has been a practicing lawyer in Saint Joseph, Missouri and Northwest Missouri since 1980.

His career started as a trial-lawyer. But, due to the needs of his parents and many referrals, he transitioned into Elder Law, Medicaid nursing facility planning and Division of Assets.

He was president of Saint Joseph Bar Association.

Brent is a native Missourian who grew up in Saint Joseph.

He graduated from Central High School. He received his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Missouri.

He is a member of both the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys as well as the National Organization of Social Safety Claimants Representatives.

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