Planning to protect your nest egg for when, not if, a long-term care event strikes your family may make all the difference in the world when it comes to your ability to leave a legacy. With a dedicated team and trusted legal counsel, Legacy Planning Law Group knows that the best way to help our clients is understand their planning needs. If you’re interested in learning more about our Jacksonville elder law services, please book your free 15-minute phone call with us today!
Elder law is another aspect of estate planning, focusing primarily on the needs of families and individuals as they age. Issues of aging include senior housing and home care, long-term (or nursing home) care, guardianships and health care documents, and Medicaid.
As our population ages, more and more of us confront elder law-related issues, whether for ourselves or our parents. One of the most pressing issues is long-term nursing home care, which usually is not covered by traditional health insurance. Depending on where you live and the level of care needed, nursing home care costs can vary greatly. In 2019, the national annual median cost for a private room in a skilled nursing facility was $102,200. The average stay is slightly more than two years. Most people end up paying for nursing home care until their personal (or family) assets are depleted, then they may qualify for Medicaid to pick up the cost.
Careful planning, however, can help protect your assets, whether for your spouse or for your children. The belt-and-suspenders approach is to purchase long-term care insurance while you are healthy enough to qualify, and to make sure you receive the benefits to which you are entitled under Medicaid.
Medicaid Is a joint federal-state program. While subject to certain federal requirements, each state implements its own regulations on how their Medicaid program is managed. Medicaid is not an entitlement program like Medicare, but rather a form of welfare. Medicaid eligibility is determined after the proper application is submitted to the state. There are many Medicaid insurance programs available in Florida, from basic medical coverage to nursing home programs.
Our Jacksonville elder planning firm assists seniors and their families in making the tough decisions regarding long-term care planning, including whether Medicaid eligibility may be an option.
Helping a parent move to senior housing can seem more intimidating than orchestrating a rocket launch. The death of a spouse, declining health or safety concerns can trigger the need to move. The first phase comes with the realization that what has been home is no longer suitable. Emotional ties to a place are hard to overcome. Finding a new home that is appealing and appropriate is no easy task, and neither is culling through a lifetime’s accumulation of “stuff.”
Here are some tips to help make the transition easier:
If you’re interested in learning more about elder law in Florida and your options, please don’t hesitate to contact us by Booking a Call Today. We look forward to speaking with you.
The following resources are provided by Legacy Planning Law Group
If you are committed to solving your planning needs and want to work with our skilled and experienced team, the first step to get started is booking your 15 minute phone call.
During the call, we will find out what your planning needs are so we can see if we can help you. We will also figure out if we would be a good fit for each other.
At the end of the call, we will set up a time to meet with the team and create a plan that will protect your family and preserve your legacy.
Copyright © 2020 Legacy Planning Law Group. All Rights Reserved