Although Elder Law is an entity of its own, it can technically be considered as part of our estate planning services. We work with seniors and their adult children to analyze their long-term care needs and financial options.
We work with our clients to develop a plan of how to transfer, gift, or organize any assets to ensure that there is enough money to pay for long-term care needs and protect assets for the next generation, if possible.
Much of our work includes assisting individuals and couples to apply for Medicaid (Title 19) when someone needs expensive long-term care.
Medicaid in CT can pay for skilled nursing home care, which currently costs about $15,000/month in our area, and home care, which can cost up to $8000/month for full-time live-in care.
One common issue that arises in Medicaid planning is the look-back period, which means the transferor may be penalized from receiving Medicaid if he or she has made a gift during the five-year period before applying for Medicaid.
We assist clients to analyze the risks and penalties and counsel them on their options.
Even if the look-back is not an issue, there are often spend-down requirements, which we assist clients with in order to spend their funds as wisely as possible.
We also help clients retain assets for the spouse at home by use of Medicaid annuities and protect the family home for a child who has lived with the parents and cared for him or her for more than two years.
Our attorneys are also accredited with the PLAN of CT, which is the only entity authorized by the State of Connecticut to operate Pooled Trusts. These are often required if a client’s income exceeds the cap for Medicaid services.
Still not sure if an Elder Law Attorney Is right For You?
On May 25, 2021, the Connecticut chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (CT-NAELA) announced that new members have been elected to key leadership posts.
Many of our clients are veterans who served during active wartime (WWII: 12/7-1941-12/31/1946, Korea: 6/27/1950-1/31/1955, Vietnam 2/28/1961-5/7/1975).
The long-term health care needs of a veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran may entitle that person to a stipend from the VA, known as Aid & Attendance. Attorney Wilson is accredited with the VA to apply for Aid & Attendance benefits.
Medicare premiums are rising sharply next year, cutting into the large Social Security cost-of-living increase. The basic monthly premium will jump 15.5%, or $21.60, from $148.50 to $170.10 a month.…
When applying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage, in addition to the strict income and asset limits, you must demonstrate that you need a level of care typically provided in a…
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FALSE FACT FRIDAY IS BACK! “If I Give My Assets Away, I Have to Live for At Least Five Years” Part of my estate planning practice includes asset protection planning.…
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Attorney Joan Reed Wilson, the managing partner of RWC, LLC Attorneys and Counselors at Law, has been appointed to the Task Force To Study Ways To Protect Senior Citizens From…
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RELEASE: Connecticut’s elder law attorneys group elects new leadership The Connecticut chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (CT-NAELA) announced that new members have been elected to key…
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Today’s video talks about the language of a statutory power of attorney document and the limitations it has when it comes “self dealing”. Essentially, your Power of attorney may not…
WILSON’S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY: THE ALPHABET SOUP OF THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM Estate Planning Attorneys are known for loving acronyms. We like to shorten the names of the tools we use…
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When Can You Apply For Social Security Retirement Benefits? The full retirement age (or “normal” retirement age) is currently 66, however, you can start collecting your social security retirement benefits…
Myths and Misconceptions Vlog #3: I Can Gift $15,000 Per Year Without Penalty While many people are familiar with the gift tax exemption, it is often mixed up with the…
What Is a Conservatorship? Conservatorship in Connecticut means that the Court appoints a person or organization to manage the life of another adult. There are Voluntary and Involuntary conservatorships. We…
It’s understandable that some people think that if the assets are under a different name, they are no longer considered yours. While that is true in most cases, Medicaid has slightly different rules.
So don’t put “transfer assets to spouse” on your to-do list just yet. Watch the video below and let Attorney Joan Wilson explain why.
COVID-19 Vaccine – What To Expect? Supply of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is expected to be pretty limited in the beginning, so the CDC (Center for Disease…
On January 23, 2015, the Department of Veteran Affairs proposed a Veteran’s Benefits Eligibility Rule Change – RIN 2900-AO73, Net Worth, Asset Transfers, and Income Exclusions for Needs-Based Benefits, a…
MYTH 1: “Medicare Will Pay for Long-Term Care such as an Assisted Living Community or and Nursing Home.”
What Is Elder Law? Before we dive into the many reasons you need an Elder Law Attorney, let’s first touch base on what Elder Law is. Elder law refers to…
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As part of our elder law and long-term care planning practice, we often recommend a reverse mortgage to our clients. And we are often met with resistance. One of the…
Attorney Joan Wilson Elected Vice President of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys RWC, LLC, Attorneys and Counselors at Law is pleased to announce that Attorney Joan Wilson was elected…
FALSE FACTS FRIDAY Issue 11: “I’m Happy with My Medicare Plan, So I Don’t Have to Review It for Next Year.” The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (“AEP”) began in October…
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FALSE FACT Vol. 1, Issue 1: If you don’t protect your money, the State will take it. This is probably the most common “inaccurate” statement that I hear in my…
Medicare Advantage Plans Update Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that beginning in 2019, Medicare Advantage plans will cover supplemental non-skilled home benefits that…
The Veteran’s Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension provides Veterans benefits for qualified veterans and their surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing,…