Sacramento, CA Estate Planning Lawyers

Like all healthcare expenses, assisted living isn’t cheap. Even though Medi-Cal can help pay for assisted living expenses, it can often be challenging to qualify for because it’s a needs-based healthcare program. However, the good news is that the knowledgeable Sacramento assisted living attorneys at the Equal Justice Law Group can provide you with peace of mind by simplifying the Medi-Cal application process and safeguarding your family’s assets and hard-earned dollars so you can qualify. Call our office today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation and learn more about how we can help.

Let Equal Justice Law Group Save Your Life Savings!

Most Californians are shocked to learn that the average cost of assisted living care in California is over $8,000 per month. Unfortunately, private insurance and Medicare don’t generally cover these costs. Medi-Cal, a government financial aid program for seniors, does cover some assisted living expenses; however, there are strict income and resource requirements for Medi-Cal (as well as several other eligibility criteria and an arduous application process). 

This creates a catch-22 situation for many elderly or disabled Californians. They don’t have the $8,000 a month to pay for assisted living, but they have “too much” to qualify for Medi-Cal. That’s where assisted living planning comes in! Planning ahead can protect your hard-earned money. There are many legal tools you can use to shield your assets from Medi-Cal so you can keep them without being rendered ineligible to receive the assistance you need. Our skilled Sacramento assisted living lawyers will explain your options and protect the inheritance that you have worked so hard to leave your family members. Our attorneys will take care of all of the documentation and paperwork involved, including your Medi-Cal application.

Failing to plan for your assisted living needs will likely end in one of three situations:

• You have to fork over your life savings to pay for Medi-Cal, leaving nothing behind for your family members when you die.
• Your family must pay for your long-term care, potentially having to subsidize it or incur debts to afford it, and you will become a financial burden.
• The above two scenarios aren’t an option, and you must forgo the care you need because you don’t have a way to pay for care.

Don’t let those three scenarios become your legacy. We can help!

Assisted Living Planning Actions

Assisted living planning is an umbrella of different actions you can take to shield your assets from nursing home care, and might include the following:

Exempting Assets

Some assets are exempt when it comes to qualifying for Medi-Cal, meaning they don’t count against you. As such, you have the option to legally shelter your assets by switching them from a non-exempt classification to an exempt one.

Gifting 

When done correctly, gifting assets to family members can help you to qualify for Medi-Cal and still safeguard your assets. Keep in mind that you can’t gift all your assets or money at once because Medi-Cal has a 30-month “look back” period. So, any assets you give away within 30 months of applying for Medi-Cal will count as your resources, even though they have already been given away. With careful planning, you can make gifts farther back than 30 months.

Creating An Irrevocable Trust 

A trust is a legal instrument that owns assets outside of your name. However, you can still manage the assets in such a trust by setting up certain terms, and nothing in the trust will count toward your Medi-Cal eligibility. In fact, adequately drafted trusts can avoid Medi-Cal recovery claims and help minimize tax liability!

Our Sacramento assisted living planning lawyers can explain which of these actions you should take based on your unique circumstances and goals. 

Want To Learn More About Your Financial Options? Call The Experienced Assisted Living Attorneys At Equal Justice Law Group!

None of us can predict what the future will hold. However, if you are getting close to retirement, you should plan for the possibility that some type of assisted living or long-term care is in your future. By just taking a few small steps, you can avoid becoming a burden to your family and ensure that you and them will have everything necessary to enjoy the last decades of your life in peace! 

At Equal Justice Law Group, we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach to assisted living or estate planning. Instead, our experienced Sacramento assisted living planning attorneys, led by Attorney David Foyil, will take the time to learn more about you, your family, and your finances. You are more than just numbers to us; we make it our personal mission to do all that we can to help protect your family and your assets! We invite you to call our office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation where you can meet our friendly team members and ask questions. During this time, you will learn about your options without confusing legal jargon and manage your expectations. We look forward to hearing from you and explaining more about how we can help!