When you make an appointment for a consultation to review the availability of government benefits to help pay for long term care, you will be mailed or may download some documents to review and complete. Please take this seriously; our advice to you is only as good as your information to us.

Please bring to the appointment with you:

• the financial forms (copies can be downloaded below)
• the current estate planning documents for the potential applicant and spouse.  This includes Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and deeds to property owned. 

The first step is normally a meeting with one of our administrative staff, either Donna O'Hara, Nicole Short, or Stephanie "Lou" Bellegarde. She will meet with you to review your finances and be sure that we are aware of all relevant financial information. This generally lasts a half hour.

You will then meet with one of our experienced attorneys.  This part of the appointment will usually last about one and a half hours. During this time, the attorney will review your situation and the information you have provided; will determine what your questions or concerns are; will advise about what government benefits may be available to assist with paying the cost of care; will sketch out a possible plan for reducing resources to eligibility levels, using various legal strategies; and will provide a recommendation in short written format. That will end the consultation.

If, after the consultation, you believe we have demonstrated the expertise you want in your Elder Law attorney, you may become a client of the firm by retaining us to assist in implementing and documenting the plan. Such a retainer is appropriate when:

• the plan is complex, or changes are anticipated; or
• the spouse is committed to visiting the spouse in the nursing home and does not have the time to complete a Medicaid application; or
• when the spouse is not financially astute; or
• when the applicant is single and the family needs assistance; or
• the family wants assistance for any other reason.

The retainer normally combines:

• a financial review, to confirm the resources and valuation; and
• a detailed, written Long Term Care plan; and
• any necessary estate planning to support the plan; and
• case management to assist with executing the plan; and
• helpful tips to allow you to file the Aid & Attendance application; and
• filing the Medicaid application, until Medicaid has been approved correctly.

Your case manager will keep in close contact with you to review the status of spend-down, gifts, and other elements of your government benefits plan. The case manager will assist with getting the needed documentation for the Medicaid application, and will assist with completing the Medicaid application. The case manager will speak with the attorney if there any legal issues to address. Of course, you always have the right to speak with your attorney as well.

When Medicaid approval is received, we will review the results to be sure that you are receiving every benefit to which you are entitled.

Asset Analysis Married

Asset Analysis Single