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. We are available to answer any questions you may have about your home, farm or real estate deeds.

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 covers all of these issues and more.

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 want to be a burden to their children, family, and society.

Brent's thoughtful and professional advice has given peace of mind for thousands of families in Saint Joseph, Northwest Missouri. Over 30 years of experience in working with senior citizens to create estate plans, real property transfers, deeds.

Brent can help you create a plan that suits your needs and learn more about Elder Law.

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 are unaware of the benefits of Medicaid and have not planned for it. Many families don’t know who is eligible, or how they can benefit from nursing home Medicaid planning. It is important to select a Nursing home Attorney with extensive experience who is dedicated to helping families.

Many families have saved thousands of dollars by using Brent's effective nursing home Medicaid planning. 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. Most of what people tell you about nursing facility Medicaid is not accurate.

It is almost never too much too soon to plan.

Even if your loved one moves to a nursing facility, they can still be eligible for Medicaid assistance.

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. We can almost always insure that this won't happen to you.

Numerous financial safeguards can be provided for seniors and couples, 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.

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 also known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance. Missouri's Community Spouse may retain at most $25,728 or $128.640.00. This amount is adjusted for inflation each year and changes in the cost of living. The Division of Assets is the process Missouri Medicaid uses to determine the amount that the Community Spouse can keep within the range.

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 marital couple's countable assets, which excludes very few assets that are exempt, are divided into two and each spouse is given their 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. Working with an Elder Law lawyer in this process is crucial in order to protect everyone's interests. According to a Wall Street Journal article, 86% live below poverty level because they have to pay for the care of their spouses.

As an example, consider John and Mary as a married couple. John has $300,000 worth of assets. John has dementia. Mary requires 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 have less $5,000 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. If the Community Spouse's assets are reduced by this amount, it's easy to see how 86% end up living below poverty due to their spouse's health care 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). Avoid costly, unplanned spenddowns by using the right legal strategies and documents.

What if you didn't plan ahead? Are all your hopes lost? The good news is that the answer to this question is "no". 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 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 people grow older, they begin to think about how best to transfer their home, farmland, or other properties to their loved ones or others. Others might need assistance selling real property without a broker.

To find the best path for each family, it is important to assess their individual circumstances. Is there a benefit to gifting property to children now? What happens if you need long-term care or nursing facility 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 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 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 also help you to create a proper estate plan.

Administration of trusts

Brent will help you to determine the best method to manage 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 from Northwest Missouri, and he grew up near Saint Joseph.

He is a Central High School graduate, earned his undergraduate degree from Missouri – Columbia and then received his law degree from 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.