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. Every person is on a unique journey towards their "golden" years. Unfortunately, the process has become more complicated with each passing year. Our firm prides themselves on providing unique solutions and planning that are tailored to each client's needs. Please contact us today to discuss your questions regarding your home and farm, real property deeds, power-of- attorney, trusts/vs. wills probate vs. not-probate transfers, or long-term issues.

Elder Law

Elder Law is a specialty that helps seniors and provides guidance. As we age, we are faced with many new issues, including housing, retirement, wealth transfer, and long-term nursing. Elder Law addresses these and other issues that affect the elderly.

Many elderly citizens fear they might lose their home, savings and everything that they have worked so hard to earn. They don't want their children, families, or society to feel like a burden.

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 is available to help you understand Elder Law and create a plan for your future.

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 do not know who is eligible and how planning for nursing home Medicaid can help their spouse or loved ones. 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. While most of the information you hear about nursing home Medicaid is accurate, it's almost always incorrect.

It is almost never too late or too early to plan.

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 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. This is almost impossible to prevent in most cases.

Many financial protections are available to elderly couples and individuals without jeopardizing Nursing Home Medicaid eligibility.

Division of Assets

1988 was the year Congress passed the "Spousal ImpoverishmentAct". This law was, despite its title, designed to prevent married couples from having their entire financial assets expended before one of them can 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.

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). The Missouri Community Spouse can retain $25,728 to $128,640.00 for 2020. 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 takes effect on the first day of the Medicaid applicant's admission to a hospital/nursing house for at minimum 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 assets will be reduced for the spouse with more assets. To ensure everyone's protection, it is essential to work with an Elder Law lawyer during this process. 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 will give $300,000 to Mary as her CSRA, and $171,000.360 to John. John must have less $5,000 to qualify for Medicaid. John's assets must be paid down by the family, who will then have 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. 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 won't have to use any of the savings they have if they do their planning in a timely manner with the help and assistance of G. Brent Powers (Medical Asset Protection attorney). To avoid an expensive and regrettable situation, it is important to prepare the right legal documents and strategies.

But what if planning wasn't done in advance? Are all your hopes lost? Is it all 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 all the experience and expertise necessary to ensure Mary is not left behind.

Brent makes every effort to meet with clients personally before he applies or appears in court.

Real Estate / Deeds

As they get older, many people start to think about how to transfer their home, farmland and other properties to their loved one or others. Others might need assistance selling real property without a broker.

Every family's situation must be assessed to determine the best course of action. Is there a benefit to gifting property to children now? What happens if your spouse is in need of long-term nursing home or long-term care? What living trust would be the best? How do you tax the transfer of your property? Do you need to borrow money from the owner in order to sell your property?

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.

Planning should consider the needs of you and your family. Only then can we identify and use the appropriate documents and strategies to ensure that your planning will be as successful as possible.

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

Administration of trusts

Brent is available to assist you in determining the best way of handling your affairs.

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

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 the president of Saint Joseph Bar Association and volunteered for a number of community boards. He also participated in many events sponsored by Saint Joseph Bar Association to provide sound legal advice to people in need.

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

He is a Central High School grad, who received his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

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

These national associations provide education, training and a network of expertise for members attorneys to help seniors and people with special requirements.