Medicaid Planning Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

As you and your loved ones age, planning for long-term care becomes not only a medical necessity but also a financial reality. The rising costs of nursing homes, assisted living, and in-home care in Florida have made Medicaid planning more important than ever. 

An experienced Fort Lauderdale Medicaid planning lawyer can help you ensure you are protected. At The Siegel Law Group, P.A., we help individuals and families across Broward County protect their assets while qualifying for Medicaid. 

Our team of Fort Lauderdale elder lawyers comes to you with more than 100 years of combined experience. We’re here to guide you through this challenging process with personalized legal strategies tailored to your unique needs and goals. Schedule your free consultation today.

Why Medicaid Planning Matters

There’s a common misconception that Medicaid is only for those who are already impoverished. In reality, many middle-class families find themselves financially unprepared for the cost of long-term care.

Nursing home prices and other long-term care expenses can be staggering. Fortunately, Medicaid can cover these costs, but only if you meet strict eligibility requirements.

Without proper planning, families often spend down a lifetime of savings to qualify, sometimes leaving the healthy spouse or children without sufficient resources.

For a free legal consultation with a medicaid planning lawyer serving Ft. Lauderdale, call 561-955-8515

How Our Medicaid Planning Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale Can Help

Every situation is different, and Medicaid planning requires a comprehensive understanding of Florida law and the Medicaid eligibility process.

Our Medicaid planning attorneys serving Fort Lauderdale assist with:

• Evaluating your income and assets
• Strategically protecting or transferring wealth
• Creating Medicaid-compliant trusts
• Preparing and submitting Medicaid applications
• Avoiding penalties from improper transfers
• Planning for crisis care when nursing home placement is urgent

Whether you’re planning in advance or facing an immediate need for long-term care, we can help you take action without jeopardizing your future or your family’s financial stability.

Ft. Lauderdale Medicaid Planning Lawyer Near Me 561-955-8515

What Medicaid Covers in Florida

Florida Medicaid offers a wide range of services that benefit low-income individuals and families, including the elderly and those with disabilities. Some key benefits include:

• Nursing home and institutional care
• Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for those who qualify to receive care at home rather than in an institution
• Medical appointments and hospital visits
• Prescription drug coverage
• Preventive care and wellness services
• Dental and vision services (through managed care plans)

For elderly individuals, Medicaid is often the only practical source of funding for long–term nursing home care. However, meeting eligibility requirements can be complicated, and that’s where our experienced Fort Lauderdale Medicaid planning lawyers can help.

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Medicaid Eligibility in Florida

Florida’s Medicaid eligibility rules are detailed and unforgiving. Mistakes during the application process can lead to delays, denials, or costly penalties. To qualify, applicants must meet several key requirements.

Residency and Citizenship

Applicants must be legal Florida residents who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or qualified aliens.

Income Limits

The income limits as of 2024 for Institutional or Nursing Home Medicaid are $2,829/month for individuals and $5,658/month for married couples (when both apply).

For Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, the limits are the same.

For Regular Medicaid (serving those with disabilities or over a certain age who are not in long-term care), income limits are lower, at $1,069/month for individuals and $1,446/month for couples.

Asset Limits (2024)

The asset limits to qualify for Medicaid as of 2024 are $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for married couples (when both apply). Certain assets are excluded, including your primary residence, one vehicle, and pre-paid funeral arrangements. Strategic planning is crucial to ensure compliance.

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Understanding the Five-Year Medicaid Look-Back Period

A critical component of Medicaid planning in Florida is understanding the five-year look-back period. Medicaid will examine all asset transfers made within the 60 months before your application date.

If any gifts or transfers were made for less than fair market value, it could trigger a penalty period, delaying your eligibility.

During the look-back period, Medicaid scrutinizes:

• Gifting of money or property to family members
• Transferring assets to trusts
• Selling property below market value
• Moving assets between accounts without clear documentation

Proper planning well in advance of needing care can help avoid unnecessary penalties and ensure eligibility when it matters most.

Legal Strategies for Medicaid Planning in Fort Lauderdale

Medicaid Planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. At The Siegel Law Group, P.A., we use a combination of legal tools to help our clients qualify for benefits while protecting what they’ve worked hard to earn.

Some of our most effective Medicaid planning tools include:

• Medicaid asset protection trusts (MAPTs): Irrevocable trusts allowing assets to be preserved while still qualifying for Medicaid that must be established outside the five-year look-back period
• Qualified income trusts (Miller Trusts): Used when income exceeds Medicaid’s monthly limit and allows income to be redirected for care expenses
• Spousal transfers and spousal refusal: Techniques to protect income or assets for a spouse who remains in the community
• Irrevocable funeral trusts: Pre-funding funeral costs while reducing countable assets
• Spend–down strategies: Legally converting countable assets into exempt assets, including home modifications, medical equipment, and debt repayment
• Lady Bird deeds: Allows your home to pass to a beneficiary automatically upon your death, avoiding probate and Medicaid estate recovery

It’s Never Too Early or Too Late to Plan

While advanced Medicaid planning gives you the most flexibility, crisis planning can also help if a loved one is already in a nursing home or needs immediate care.

Our attorneys work quickly to assess available resources, identify legal options, and prepare the necessary documentation to qualify you or your loved one for Medicaid without exhausting savings.

Get Help From a Medicaid Planning Lawyer Serving Fort Lauderdale Today

At The Siegel Law Group, P.A., we understand that elder law issues are deeply personal and often emotionally charged. We have dedicated over 22 years to helping Florida families plan with confidence and compassion. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your legacy. If you or a loved one are facing long-term care needs, we’re here to help you handle Florida’s Medicaid system.

Call The Siegel Law Group, P.A., or fill out our online form to schedule your free case review with an experienced Fort Lauderdale Medicaid planning lawyer. Your care matters. Your assets matter. Your family matters. Let us help you protect them all.

Call or text 561-955-8515 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form