Longtime Partners but Never Married (Part 5)
In last week’s post about Bill and Mary, I told you that we applied for a guardian to be appointed for each of them. The court approved their neighbor and friend, Nancy. Bill had sufficient assets to pay for his care for at least several years. Mary did not. By the time we were
Gifting and the Medicaid Penalty
      Once again, a recent New Jersey court case has highlighted the dangers of do it yourself Medicaid planning. In the case in question, C.W. v. New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, 90 year old C.W. moved into a nursing home in 2007. She then transferred her
Family Caregiver Agreements – Acceptable? (Part 2)
           Last week we were discussing family caregiver agreements in light of a recent New Jersey Appellate court decision, E.R. v. DMAHS. In that case, Mom and Daughter entered into a caregiver agreement while Mom was living in Daughter’s home.            Mom eventually entered a nursing home and applied for Medicaid.Â
Family Caregiver Agreements – Acceptable?
           When having a conversation about long term care and qualifying for Medicaid, every so often the topic turns to paying a family member to care for Mom or Dad. Is it a permitted Medicaid spend down?            In many cases the discussion occurs after the services have already been provided
Qualified Income Trusts Revisited (Part 2)
               Last week I said I would share with you my experiences filing applications with Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) which are required when an applicant has income over Medicaid’s strict income cap ($2199 for 2015).                The rules are very technical. Income can’t be split. If I receive $1500 from
Qualified Income Trusts Revisited
           It has been 7 months now since New Jersey eliminated its Medically Needy Medicaid program and as a result brought back Miller trusts. I detailed the changes in my posts of October 13 and October 20, 2014. The changes actually went into effect December 1, 2014. How have these changes
Thinking About Transferring Your Home to Your Children?
           Jamie called because her dad was in need of Medicaid. He was now in a nursing home and Mom was living at home. They had about $120,000 of countable assets. I asked about the home and Jamie told me her parents had transferred it to her 7 years earlier.           Â
Medicaid Isn’t Just About the Finances
           It’s something I always remind clients when we talk about Medicaid eligibility. Meeting the income and asset limits are not the only requirements.  An applicant must also be medically eligible.        What does that mean? An applicant must establish the need for nursing home level
Retitling Assets to Healthy Spouse to Qualify for Medicaid (Part 2)
           Last week we were discussing Mary’s dilemma. Her husband, George, has Alzheimer’s Disease and is going to need some care at home. Mary is concerned that soon he will need nursing home level care and she wants to preserve their primary home and their second home.    Â