Medicaid Planning Attorney in Boca Raton
What we can offer youMany people mistakenly believe they have too many assets to qualify for government assistance, so they pay out-of-pocket for their long-term care until their nest egg is depleted. But with careful Medicaid Planning, you may be able to receive the financial help you need without losing your assets.
For nearly 20 years, the Siegel Law Group has been helping clients in South Florida prepare financially for the eventuality of long-term care while protecting their estates.
For many families in South Florida, the high costs of long-term care leave them facing difficult financial decisions. However, if you are among them, you may have more options than you realized. The experienced Elder Care and Medicaid Planning Lawyers of The Siegel Law Group, P.A. may be able to help you qualify for Medicaid benefits.
a semi-private room in a nursing home in Florida costs more than $12,000 per month...
Can you afford this?
Medicaid income limits generally favor those having little or no income. If your loved one is in need of nursing home care, an assisted living facility or weekly home care assistance, Medicaid benefits can help regardless of your income or assets. Let our team of experts at the Siegel Law Group assist you with the qualification process complying with Florida’s specific Medicaid rules.
Don’t Navigate These Waters On Your Own
With the proper Medicaid Planning, an experienced Elder Law attorney can include specific language in your Estate Planning portfolio to create appropriate legal documents that enable you or your spouse to qualify for Medicaid benefits while preserving your assets and estate.
I am so grateful for your passion, dedication and professionalism. Thank you so much! - Peter S.
From the first call to his office to the final receipt of our papers, everything was done top-notch. Anytime we needed to contact Barry or his wonderful staff, we got a prompt response. It was a pleasure dealing with him and his staff.
Carol
I found Siegel Law Group to handle Medicaid eligibility for my dad as his health rapidly has declined. I have nothing but good things to say about these guys. They have outstanding communication.
Their Medicaid specialist Toby has been constantly on top of our case and was able to handle my dad’s finances to obtain Medicaid eligibility without having to spend every dime. I honestly recommend them without any hesitation.
Voight Family
Elder Law attorney Barry D. Siegel watched his beloved Grandma Betty suffer because she was unaware of the tools available for Long-Term Care Planning. Today, he strives to ensure each of his clients is financially prepared for the road ahead.
Medicaid Eligibility
The state of Florida determines your financial eligibility to qualify Medicaid by looking at your assets and seeing which assets of yours should be counted and which assets should be excluded. While preparing your Medicaid application you need to gather and provide certain financial documents to show what you have. While income assessment seems straightforward it can become complicated depending on the type of assets you have.
Here are the assets Medicaid considers countable:
- CD’s (certificates of deposit)
- Stocks and Bonds (Brokerage accounts)
- Retirement Accounts (IRA or 401k)*
- Checking and savings accounts
- Non homestead real estate
- Annuities
- Anything beyond one motor vehicle
- Cash value of life insurance if face value exceeds $2500
- Pre-paid funeral plans (if not irrevocable)
* With proper planning, we can make this asset a non-countable asset. Ask us how!
Here are the assets Medicaid considers non-countable:
- Your primary home and primary vehicle
- Income-producing properties
- Pre-purchased funeral plans
- Personal property and household belongings
- Life insurance policies with no cash value
- Up to $1,500 in cash earmarked for burial
An experienced Elder Law attorney will help you qualify for Medicaid benefits and protect your assets from being spent down to pay for your care
We Can Also Help If Your Medicaid Application Was Denied
If your application was denied, it could be for a variety of reasons. An Elder Law attorney knowledgeable in Estate Planning and Medicaid qualification can help you understand why you’ve been denied Medicaid benefits and help you reapply.
They can explain the situation to you and put a solid estate plan in place to make sure you or your loved one receives the care they need. The Medicaid application changes and updates frequently and Medicaid attorneys are aware of the changing circumstances.
Crisis Planning: When You Need Assistance Now
If you or a loved one already struggles under the weight of long term care costs, you may still be able to receive assistance. Let us evaluate your options and guide you through the process of qualifying for Medicaid. Call our offices if you need immediate assistance.
Frequently Asked Medicaid Questions
Do nursing homes in Florida have to accept Medicaid payments?
Medicaid coverage of Nursing Facility Services is available only for services provided in a nursing home licensed and certified by the state survey agency as a Medicaid Nursing Facility (NF). See NF survey and certification requirements. Medicaid NF services are available only when other payment options are unavailable and the individual is eligible for the Medicaid program.
Do I need a lawyer to help me qualify for Medicaid benefits?
The answer depends on the person’s marital status, financial holdings and the complexity of the person’s estate. DISCLAIMER: It is illegal for non-attorneys to do some aspects of Medicaid planning in several states. Florida residents are in good hands with the help of our experienced Elder Law Medicaid attorneys at The Siegel Law Group.
Do I have to sell my home to qualify for Medicaid?
You do not have to sell your home to qualify for Medicaid benefits. Your home is considered your homestead and and is an excluded asset for Medicaid.
What do Medicaid Attorneys do?
Elder Law Attorneys or Medicaid Attorneys assist people in preparing for long term care. A Medicaid attorney also helps seniors with disability planning and estate planning.
Is Medicaid Planning Legal?
Yes, Medicaid planning is legal in all 50 states. However, who can provide Medicaid Planning assistance depends on the state and what types of planning services are offered. It is illegal for persons who are not attorneys to practice law by planning estates for Medicaid eligibility.
What is the cost of an Elder Law Attorney or a Medicaid Planning Lawyer?
There isn’t a clear-cut answer as to the cost of hiring an elder law attorney for Medicaid Planning purposes. Some Medicaid Lawyers offer free consultations, while others charge an initial consultation fee. The following factors can all impact the cost of a Medicaid Planning engagements. The more complicated the case, the higher the fees.
- If the Medicaid applicant is single or married
- Ages and health of spouses and children
- The amount of assets you have
- Types of assets you have
- What is involved to configure income and/or assets to meet the limits
- There’s urgency for the need for Medicaid
- Whether assets have been gifted in the past
- If estate and incapacity planning documents need to be completed
- If pre-planning has been done
The cost of hiring an Elder Law Attorney or Medicaid planning specialist might seem high in the short term but in the long term, seeking assistance can protect many assets that would otherwise not be protected. Therefore, a Medicaid team of Lawyers like the Siegel Law Group can save a Medicaid applicant and his/her family a lot of money and can be a very wise investment.
LET OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM HELP – SCHEDULE A
FREE CONSULTATION
For a complimentary consultation with an experienced Medicaid Planning Lawyer in South Florida,
call us today at 561-955-8515 or 855-FLA-ESTATE.