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're here to assist you and your family in making informed decisions on Elder Law issues like estate planning, nursing home Medicaid planning, and asset protection. Our individual paths to our "golden year" are different. Unfortunately, it has become more difficult over the years. 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 specialty that helps seniors and provides guidance. As we get older, we have to deal with many different issues. Elder Law covers these and many other concerns that elderly people face.

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 the burden of being a burden on their families or society.

With his thoughtful and skilled advice, Brent has brought peace of mind to thousands families in Saint Joseph and Northwest Missouri. He has more than 30 years' experience working with clients to design estate plans and real estate transfers.

Brent will be happy to discuss Elder Law with you and help you develop a plan.

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 find a skilled and dedicated Nursing Home Attorney who is committed to 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. Most of what you hear from others about nursing home Medicaid are well-meaning, but they are almost always wrong.

It is almost never too much too soon to plan.

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

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 are able to insure that you will be safe in almost all instances.

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.

Congress established limits on how many assets the Community Spouse can retain if an Institutionalized Spouse is to be eligible to 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 every year to reflect inflation and costs 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 begins on the day that the Medicaid applicant is admitted to a hospital or nursing home for at most 30 consecutive days. The couple's countable assets are divided into 2 with each spouse receiving their one-half. It doesn't matter who owns the asset; the entire couple's assets are considered when determining the Division Of Assets. This means that assets will be reduced for the spouse with more assets. Working with an Elder Law lawyer in this process is crucial in order to protect everyone's interests. 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 be under $5,000 in order to qualify for Medicaid. John's assets must be paid down by the family, who will then have to spend $166.360. John and Mary will then be asked to spend 55% on their savings in order for John to become eligible 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 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. 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? All hope is lost Is it all over? Mary could retain almost all of her financial assets by using a "Marital Medicaid Compliant Anuity". Even if John is in a nursing facility, Mary can still use the Annuity. G Brent Powers has the knowledge and expertise required to ensure Mary's financial security.

Brent makes every effort to meet with clients personally before he applies or appears in court.

Real Estate / Deeds

As they age, people think about how to best transfer their house, farmland, and other properties to loved ones. Others may need assistance with selling property without the aid of a broker.

To determine the best course of action, each family's circumstances must be assessed. Are there any benefits to gifting property now to your children? What happens when you or your spouse need long-term, or nursing home care. What living trust would be the best? What tax consequences will you face if your property is transferred? Can the property owner finance its sale?

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.

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 assist you in setting up an appropriate estate plan.

Administration of trusts

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

Brent Powers has been a practicing lawyer in Saint Joseph, Missouri and Northwest Missouri 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 a native Missourian and 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 National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys member and the National Order of Social Security Claimsants' Representatives.

These national organizations offer education, training, as well as a national network for expertise to assist senior citizens and those with special needs.