Long-term Care Services
Long-term Care Planning is prospective planning for the possibility of the future expenses associated with the need for complex health care and long-term care which many of us will eventually require. For many older Americans, poor health does not always require expert medical care but instead, help with the most basic tasks of everyday life. In truth, the possibility of needing long-term care services is often displeasing. Studies show that we stand nearly a 70 percent chance of needing long-term care at least once before we die. Therefore, everyone should take into account that at some point residency in a nursing home or an assisted living facility may be necessary.
However, the substantial cost of nursing home care for an incapacitated person can wipe away a family’s nest egg and the inheritance planned for surviving family members. Therefore, it is not surprising that over the years, our clients have expressed a number of major concerns about how to adequately plan for potential incapacity and the impact of their incapacity on their life savings, as well as the benefits that may be available to them to help with these costs. benefits. There are options available, and our attorneys are trained in tailoring plans that will meet the individual needs of our clients.
Guardianships And Conservatorships
Every person over the age of eighteen (18) years is presumed to be able make his own decisions and manage his own affairs. In seeking a guardianship or conservatorship, the petitioner challenges this presumption and asks the court to: (1) find that the allegedly incapacitated person is not capable of making his own decisions or managing his own affairs and (2) transfer the authority to make decisions from the incapacitated person to the petitioner. A guardian makes medical care decisions and has general responsibility to ensure the incapacitated person’s basic needs are satisfied. A conservator is responsible for the assets and accounts of the incapacitated person, to include paying the person’s bills, filing his or her taxes, managing investments, etc.
The Commonwealth of Virginia exercises its authority to protect persons with disabilities and its citizens generally by ensuring that guardianships and conservatorships are only granted when necessary. After a guardian or conservator is appointed, the Commonwealth ensures that the person appointed appropriately attends to the incapacitated person’s physical and financial needs by overseeing the actions of the guardian/conservator through periodic reporting requirements. Our attorneys are experienced in handling both guardianship cases as well as in assisting with the administration of the estates of incapacitated persons after the appointment of a guardian and/or conservator.
Medicaid Planning And Veteran’s Benefits
Medicaid can help pay for the costs of long-term care, including nursing home and in-home care. In order to qualify, an individual must be 65 years of age or older, or disabled and in need of long-term care, and must meet certain asset and income level requirements, which are determined by looking at the assets of both the disabled individual and spouse. In order to qualify for Long-Term Care Medicaid, an individual can have no more than $2,000 in assets. However, there are techniques that can be implemented to help save as much as possible. For this reason, it is crucial to seek counsel as early as possible, so you will have time to evaluate all possible options and select those that are best for you and your family. Failure to plan ahead may result in the significant loss of wealth to your family.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides financial assistance to help U.S. military war veterans and surviving spouses pay for medical expenses. These benefits are not dependent upon a condition related to military service, are tax-free and are provided in addition to Social Security and other sources of income. In order to qualify for VA Aid & Attendance benefits, the household gross income and net worth must be below the threshold limits. With proper planning, the veteran or widow(er) may be able to qualify for Aid & Attendance pension money and other assistance while preserving more of the household assets than is possible with straight Medicaid. This will aid the family in paying for future medical and long-term care and postpone the depletion of the veteran’s (or spouse’s) assets. The goal is to stretch these assets so the family can postpone the need to rely upon Medicaid to pay for long-term care. Only individuals accredited by the Veteran’s Administration can assist with this type of planning. Attorney Helena Mock, a Veteran herself, has been a VA accredited attorney since 2011.
Contact Us For A Consultation
If you need help planning for future Medicaid or VA benefits, reviewing the legal consequences of insurance products, selecting a nursing care provider or addressing any other long-term care planning issue, call our Williamsburg lawyers at 757-847-5596 or email us to schedule a meeting.