Legal Experience for Long-Term Care Planning in Bloomington, IL

Experienced attorneys John P. Schwulst and Todd A. Roseberry bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to problem-solving your needs surrounding nursing home care. We will sit down with you to explore your goals, your circumstances, your finances, and your options:

• Long-term care insurance – Nursing home care can cost as much as $5,000 to $7,000 per month, depending on the level of care and the quality of the facility. Elder care insurance may be affordable when the premiums are spread over many years.
• Gifting and transfer of property – Wealth can be transferred gradually to heirs, but transfers that are recent or exceed the federal limit can be nullified or penalized. Unlawful transfers can also affect Medicaid eligibility. We can advise clients on the retitling of assets and allowable annual gifting limits.
• Medicaid planning – The federal government requires a spend-down of assets to qualify for Medicaid coverage of nursing home costs. The home and other assets can be exempted from the spend-down requirements through careful planning, such as a properly established living trust.
• Special needs trusts – A supplemental needs trust provides amenities for a parent in a nursing home or an adult disabled child. The trust can pay for travel, entertainment, personal items, upgraded clothing, and other quality-of-life extras without disqualifying the person for Medicaid or Social Security Disability.
  

You Are Not Alone. Contact Us for Guidance.

A person cannot simply sign over assets to children or a spouse in anticipation of nursing home care. We provide comprehensive estate planning services, from long-term care planning to wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. We also handle guardianship proceedings to take charge of the health care and personal affairs of a family member who can no longer manage his or her own care.