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. Each person has a different path to reach their "golden years", which unfortunately has become increasingly complicated over time. 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 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 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 has provided expert and thoughtful advice to thousands of families across Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri, providing them with peace of heart. 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 be happy to discuss Elder Law with you and help you develop a plan.

Nursing Home Medicaid Planning. Planning for Medicaid and long-term care is a good idea. This is especially true if a parent or spouse may require nursing home care. Many people are unaware of the benefits of Medicaid and have not planned for it. Many families do not know who is eligible and how planning for nursing home Medicaid can help their spouse or loved ones. It is crucial to hire a nursing home attorney who has experience and is committed to helping families.

With his expertise in nursing home Medicaid planning, Brent has helped families across the community save 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. Most of what people tell you about nursing facility Medicaid is not accurate.

It is almost never too late or too early 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 fear losing their home or life savings if their spouse/loved one moves into a nursing facility. We are able to insure that you will be safe in almost all instances.

There are many financial safeguards available for couples and elderly 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 lives in the home (the "Community Spouse") gets to keep some resources while the spouse with a need for Medicaid (the 'Institutionalized Spouse') can claim 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). Missouri law allows the Community Spouse to keep at least $25728 for 2020, up to a maximum $128 640.00. This amount will be adjusted each year for inflation or the cost to live. 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 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 the spouse who has more assets than their spouse will see their assets decrease. 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.

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 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. The family will be asked to spend $166,360 on assets that John has been attributed. John and Mary will be told that John must spend 55% their lives' savings before John can apply 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? All hope is lost Is it all over? 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 both the expertise and experience to ensure Mary's safety and prevent her from becoming homeless.

Brent always makes time to meet in person with clients before presenting or applying for a court appearance.

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 may require help selling real estate, even without the assistance of an agent or broker.

Each family's situation should be evaluated in order to determine the best course. Are there any benefits to gifting property now to your children? What happens if your spouse is in need of long-term nursing home or long-term care? Is a living estate the best option? What tax implications will a transfer of property have? 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 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.

Planning must take into account your unique needs, wishes and assets. Only then can we decide what documents and strategies to use to ensure your planning works as you expect.

Along with helping you set up an appropriate estate plan, Brent can help you with further advice on: Brent is available to help you create an estate plan.

Administration of trusts

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

Brent Powers is a Saint Joseph, Missouri-based lawyer who has been practicing since 1980.

Although he began his career in the courtroom as a trial advocate, he changed to Elder Law due to the need of his parents, his older clients, and numerous referrals.

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 an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

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