Hello-I have given up on the so called elder attorneys in mom's home town. I am looking for a blueprint on how to handle her accounts like ROTH IRA, bond fund, Metlife insurance with respect to Medicaid. She is still not on Medicaid after a year of DSS paperwork and I would like know if her assets can be protected for final expenses and any other expenses that may crop up. I would like to insure that she can keep as much of her hard earned money as possible. Sorry if this is a dumb question but I have wasted too much time on attorneys that are unavailable, dont understand elder law or uninterested.
My Moms application went smoothly. I had already cashed in her CDs. So I spent them down. Cashed in her insurance policy, and that paid for a prepaid funeral. ( if policies are from employers or no cash in value, cannot cash in. Not sure though if Medicaid becomes beneficiary)
Your mother may keep the house and the expenses will be paid from the $33k of assets in her accounts. However, expect a claw back when the house is sold. In this electronic era you can not hide anything unless your hide it in your mattress.
I am not sure of your mothers specific case or location but it really isn't difficult finding an eldercare attorney in NYS. Every county has very qualified attorneys and services to help you. Her hard earned money should be used for her care. I am from NYS and POA for my uncle in a nursing home. It was a time-consuming endeavor to spend down and gather the support needed for Medicaid but it wasn't impossible.
If there was a way, I would like to upgrade her nursing home stay to a single room or something. She is really depressed about the home and I am worried. If those funds could go to improving her stay that would be great.
Her situation can't be that unique. I am looking for a general plan to manage her accounts. Perhaps someone here has been in a similar situation.