CS has financial power-of-attorney. CS inherited funds would pay for the car. CS wants to put a large down payment so the car can be paid off quickly. If joint ownership interest is a requirement for a new car, the state may have a claim to IS spouse's 50% forced ownership. CS wants full ownership/control of the car w/out interference from Medicaid. We're both concerned Medicaid will tie our hands in this deal by forcing us to purchase the next car as a joint transaction.
If its likely going to take the CS way way over the asset ceiling (it's around 119k) and also over whatever your state has for CSRA or MMNA (community spouse resource allowance /monthly maintenance needs allowance) you may need to see an elder law atty to deal with this and quickly so that any $ gets reallocated within the month the asset is received. So that the CS starts & ends the month all within medicaid CS limits so the NH spouse never has an ineligibility month.
If the $ is coming from an executor doing a estate distribution, I'd ask them to hold off writing the check till you speak with an atty first as to how to best deal with the $. Executor has a lot of discretion usually as to when to pay, file, etc.
There will likely be between 40 - 60K received as inheritance. If I received 60K tomorrow, that would put my assets back up to 105,000.00.
If Medicaid has determined $31,044.00 for annual living expenses is plenty for me, I'm sure the inheritance will get crunched into the equation to make sure I can not keep it for my survival. Medicaid probably can deems me to be over resourced and lower or eliminate my CSRA. I think one way or the other the state will take the money from me.
I would be a fool to waddle into the slaughter house like a tired sheep if there is a remote possibility I can use those funds for my survival. It would delay my having to apply for food stamps, utilities reductions, and regular Medicaid for non-institutionalized spouses or widows.
We're considering the car as a constructive way - in the long term - for my survival. Short term, I don't have to have a new car. If my assets are spent down now, when I do need the car, I'll have no money left.
The estate recovery threshold here is $25K. The condo, car, and my remaining resources, at this moment would equal over 25K. My husband's IRA was all spent down so none of that to worry about.