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 itself on offering unique planning and solutions tailored to our clients' needs. Contact us today if you have questions concerning your home, farm and real estate deeds.

Elder Law

Elder Law is a special practice that assists seniors with their legal issues. As we age, many issues arise that are not common in our younger years. These include housing, long-term care, wealth transfers and retirement. Elder Law covers these and many other concerns that elderly people face.

Many elderly people fear losing their savings and home if they require long-term or nursing home care. They don't wish to become a burden for their family or society.

Brent has helped thousands of families in Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri feel at ease with his expert and thoughtful advice. He has more than 30 years' experience working with clients to design estate plans and real estate transfers.

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 unaware of the benefits of Medicaid and have not planned for it. Many families don't know who is eligible for nursing home Medicaid planning or how it can benefit them or their family. It is important that you choose a Nursing Home Attorney who has the experience and is dedicated helping families.

With his expertise in nursing home Medicaid planning, Brent has helped families across the community save thousands of dollars. Brent is a licensed nursing home lawyer and would like to share some key points about Medicaid. While the majority of information about nursing home Medicaid is good-intentioned, it is almost always inaccurate.

It is almost never too soon or too late for planning.

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 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.

Numerous financial safeguards can be provided for seniors and couples, 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. As a result, the "Community Spouse", the spouse who remains at home, is allowed to keep a portion of their resources and the spouse who needs Medicaid (the “Institutionalized Spouse”) can get benefits.

Congress set limits on the assets that the Community Spouse may retain if the Institutionalized Spouse becomes 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. Missouri Medicaid requires that a Division of Assets Application be completed in order to determine what amount the Community Spouse will be permitted to keep.

The Division of Assets starts on the day the Medicaid applicant is admitted for at least 30 consecutive nights to a hospital/nursing facility. 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 assets of the spouse with significantly more assets will be reduced. This is why it is important to work with an Elder Law attorney to ensure everyone's best interests are protected. 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 assign the $300,000. in financial assets to Mary and attribute $128.640 to Mary as her CSRA. John is credited $171,360. John must also have less than $5,000 to be eligible. 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. It is easy to see why 86% of spouses who survive are living below poverty line due to their spouse's medical costs.

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.

What if you didn't plan ahead? Can all hope be 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 all the experience and expertise necessary to ensure Mary is not left behind.

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. Do you think there are benefits to gifting your property to your kids now? What happens if your spouse requires long-term or nursing home care? Is a living estate the best option? What tax implications will a transfer of property have? Are you allowed to finance the purchase of your property by an owner?

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 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.

Brent can also help you to create a proper estate plan.

Administration of trusts

Brent is available to help you determine the best way for your affairs to be managed. This will prevent future problems, unnecessary expenses, and skill gaps.

Brent Powers was a lawyer in Saint Joseph since 1980.

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, having grew to be a Saint Josephian.

He graduated from Central High School. He received his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Missouri.

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.