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. Everybody has their own path to "golden years". Unfortunately, this path has become more complex over the years. Our firm is proud to offer our clients customized planning and unique solutions. We are available to answer any questions you may have about your home, farm or real estate deeds.

Elder Law

Elder Law, a speciality practice that aids seniors in their legal matters, is new_paragraph. As we get older, there are many more issues that we face than we did when we were younger. These include long-term care, housing, retirement and wealth transfers. Elder Law covers these and many other concerns that elderly people face.

Many elderly citizens fear they might lose their home, savings and everything that they have worked so hard to earn. They don’t want the burden of being a burden on their families or society.

Brent's thoughtful and professional advice has given peace of mind for thousands of families in Saint Joseph, Northwest Missouri. His experience includes over 30 years working with seniors to create estate plans, estate transfers, powers of attorney, trusts, and other legal requirements.

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 are not planning for long-term health care and are frequently misinformed on how Medicaid works. 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.

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 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 often fear that their loved one or spouse will move into a nursing home, and they may lose their home and financial savings. We are able to insure that you will be safe in almost all instances.

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.

Congress also set limitations on the assets that the Community Spouse can keep if the Institutionalized Spouse wants to receive benefits. These limits are also known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance. The Missouri Community Spouse can retain $25,728 to $128,640.00 for 2020. This amount will be adjusted each year for inflation or the cost to live. 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 countable assets of a married couple (which excludes some assets exempted) are divided in two, with each spouse getting their own one-half share. The Division of Assets does not consider the assets of any one of the spouses. Instead, all assets of the couple are combined. This means that a spouse with significant assets will have their assets reduced. To ensure everyone's protection, it is essential to work with an Elder Law lawyer during this process. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that 86% widows don't have enough income to cover the costs of caring for their spouses.

Consider John and Mary, a married couple, with $300,000 of financial assets. John suffers from dementia and requires nursing home services. The Medicaid caseworker will give $300,000 to Mary as her CSRA, and $171,000.360 to John. John must have less that $5,000 to be eligible for Medicaid. The family will be asked to spend $166,360 on assets that John has been attributed. 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 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. Avoid costly, unplanned spenddowns by using the right legal strategies and documents.

But what if the planning was not perfected in time? Do you think all is lost? Is it all over? Mary could still retain nearly all her assets through the use of a "Marital Medicaid compliant Annuity", even though John is currently in a nursing home. G Brent Powers has the knowledge and expertise required to ensure Mary's financial security.

Brent takes the time to meet clients face-to-face before appearing 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.

Each family's situation should be evaluated in order to determine the best course. 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? How do you tax the transfer of your property? Can the property owner finance its 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 plan means maintaining control over your assets, continuing to provide for you and your loved ones even when you're incapacitated, and distributing your property to the beneficiaries you desire 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 can help you decide the best way to manage your affairs.

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 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 a native Missourian who grew up in 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 member of both the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys as well as the National Organization of Social Safety Claimants Representatives.

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