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're here to assist you and your family in making informed decisions on Elder Law issues like estate planning, nursing home Medicaid planning, 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. 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, a speciality practice that aids seniors in their legal matters, is new_paragraph. 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 covers all of these issues and more.

Many elderly people fear losing their savings and home if they require long-term or nursing home care. They don't want their children, families, or society to feel like a burden.

Brent's thoughtful and professional advice has given peace of mind for thousands of families in Saint Joseph, 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's never too early for you to start planning for Medicaid, long-term or even short-term care. Many people don't know how Medicaid works and haven't planned for long-term care. Many families don't know who can be eligible for Medicaid or how their spouse and family can benefit from it. It is crucial to hire a nursing home attorney who has experience and is committed to helping families.

Through effective nursing home Medicaid planning Brent has helped many families in our community save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Brent is a licensed nursing home lawyer and would like to share some key points about Medicaid. Most of what you hear from others about nursing home Medicaid are well-meaning, but they are almost always wrong.

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

Your loved one may still be eligible to receive Medicaid assistance after they have moved into a nursing care facility.

It is important to understand the legal strategies and protections for spouses and families of residents in nursing homes. People often fear that their loved one or spouse will move into a nursing home, and they may lose their home and financial savings. We can almost always insure that this won't happen to you.

There are many financial safeguards available for couples and elderly 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. As a result, the "Community Spouse", the spouse who remains at home, is allowed to keep a portion of their resources and the spouse who needs Medicaid (the “Institutionalized Spouse”) can get benefits.

The law also established limits on the assets the Community Spouse can retain, if the Institutionalized Spouse will be eligible for benefits. These limits are known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance, (CSRA). Missouri's Community Spouse may retain at most $25,728 or $128.640.00. This amount is adjusted each year for inflation and the cost 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 begins on the day that the Medicaid applicant is admitted to a hospital or nursing home for at most 30 consecutive days. The countable assets of a married couple (which excludes some assets exempted) are divided in two, with each spouse getting their own one-half share. It doesn't matter who owns the asset; the entire couple's assets are considered when determining the Division Of Assets. This means that assets will be reduced for the spouse with more assets. 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% are living below the poverty level due to having to pay for their spouse's care costs.

As an example, suppose John and Mary are married and have $300,000 in assets. John is demented 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 be under $5,000 in order to qualify for Medicaid. John's assets will be credited to the family and they will be required to spend $166 360. John and Mary will be required to spend 55% of the savings they have made in order to qualify 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 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. You can avoid an unpleasant and costly situation by making sure you have the right legal strategies in place.

What if there was no planning? Do you think all is lost? The good news is that the answer to this question is "no". 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 is a professional with the necessary experience and expertise to make sure Mary doesn't become homeless.

Brent is always available to meet with clients before they apply or appear in court.

Real Estate / Deeds

As people age, they start to think about how to transfer their property, farmland or other assets to their loved ones. Others may need assistance with selling property without the aid of a broker.

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 you need long-term care or nursing facility care? A living trust is the best choice? What tax implications will a transfer of property have? Can the property owner finance its sale?

Over the years, Brent has helped many families make the right decisions when it comes to transferring their home, farm, and business properties.

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 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.

Brent can assist you in setting up an appropriate estate plan.

Administration of trusts

Brent is available to help you determine the best way for your affairs to be managed. This will prevent future problems, unnecessary expenses, and skill gaps.

Since 1980, Brent Powers has been practicing law in Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri.

Although he started his career as a trial lawyer, he was forced to change to Elder Law and Medicaid nursing home planning.

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 provide education and training as well as a network of experts for member attorneys in order to assist seniors and people with special disabilities.