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 will help you and all your family members make informed decisions regarding Elder Law matters such as Medicaid planning, estate planning, asset protection, and nursing home planning. 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 itself on offering unique planning and solutions tailored to our clients' 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 special practice that assists seniors with their legal issues. As we age, we are faced with many new issues, including housing, retirement, wealth transfer, and long-term nursing. Elder Law includes these and many other areas that concern the elderly.

Many elderly people fear losing their savings and home if they require long-term or nursing home care. They don’t want the burden of being a burden on their families or society.

Brent has helped thousands of families in Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri feel at ease with his expert and thoughtful advice. Over 30 years of experience in working with senior citizens to create estate plans, real property transfers, deeds.

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

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 don't know who can be eligible for Medicaid or how their spouse and family can benefit from it. 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. 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. 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.

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

It is vital to understand legal protections available to the spouse and loved ones of nursing home residents. 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.

Numerous financial safety nets are available for both couples and seniors 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 often referred to as Community Spouse Resource Allowances (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. 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 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. This is why it is important to work with an Elder Law attorney to ensure everyone's best interests are protected. 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, 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 will tell his family to spend $166.360 of John's assets. John and Mary will then be asked to spend 55% on their savings in order for John to become eligible 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). It is crucial to plan ahead and use the correct legal documents and strategies to avoid a costly and embarrassing situation.

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 both the expertise and experience to ensure Mary's safety and prevent her from becoming homeless.

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

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 may need assistance with selling property without the aid of a broker.

To find the best path for each family, it is important to assess their individual circumstances. Do you think there are benefits to gifting your property to your kids now? What happens if you need long-term care or nursing facility care? Is a living estate 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 means maintaining control of your assets while living, continuing to provide for your care and your loved ones, even if incapacitated or disabled, distributing your property after your death to whom you want, when you want and the way you want at the lowest overall 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 was a lawyer in Saint Joseph since 1980.

His career began as a trial attorney. However, due to his parents' needs and the many referrals, he moved to Elder Law, Medicaid nursing homes 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, having grew to be a Saint Josephian.

He graduated from Central High School and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He then earned his law degree in Missouri – Kansas City.

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

These national organizations offer training, education, and a national network to support senior citizens and persons with special needs.