If you or a family member have ever needed long-term care, then you probably understand the importance of Medicaid, especially Medicaid asset protection. While neither Medicare nor health insurance will cover the cost of long-term care, Medicaid will. However, to qualify for this prodigious benefit, one must meet the income and asset restrictions.
Medicaid Asset Protection Trust Defined
A Medicaid asset protection trust is an irrevocable trust that is designed to hold assets so that they are no longer countable if you have to apply for Medicaid. This type of trust allows you to pass assets on to your children and grandchildren because they are not counted for Medicaid purposes and therefore do not have to be “spent down” to qualify for Medicaid. A Medicaid asset protection trust should be established at least 60 months before your application date, so it’s critical that you take advantage of Medicaid planning before the need arises.
Why You Need One
If you ever have to go into long-term nursing home care, the assets in the Medicaid asset protection trust are not considered by Medicaid as long as they’ve been held in the trust for at least 60 months. What this means is that even with your money and assets in this trust, no one can touch or move your assets.
For people who are trying to protect their assets from long-term care costs, a Medicaid asset protection trust is a great option. This is also a much safer option than giving away your assets to your children, because your assets are protected and not at risk to your children’s creditors – such as divorce, tax liens, lawsuits, bankruptcies, etc.
With the Medicaid asset protection trust, you get the benefits of having your children managing your assets without risking your assets to their creditors and predators. If protecting your assets is important to you then we highly recommend medicaid planning as part of your estate plan.
If you would like to explore the option of a Medicaid asset protection trust, then contact Miller Estate & Elder Law at (256) 251-2137 or register for one of our free estate planning workshops.