K. Gabriel Heiser
Attorney, author, Medicaid asset protection planning
K. Gabriel Heiser, J.D., is an attorney with over 25 years of experience in elder law and estate planning. He is the author of "How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets," an annually updated practical guide for the layperson.
Show:
Answers Article
Appointing someone to manage your finances and medical care is a serious decision. Before settling on an agent, consider how they might handle these responsibilities and the major consequences their actions could have.
Article
What happens if you or your family member must move from one state to another and then apply for Medicaid? How does moving to a new state affect Medicaid eligibility?
Article
There are many types of trusts that can help protect your assets from Medicaid. Here's a brief overview of the things you need to know when setting up a trust for Medicaid planning purposes.
Article
When an at-home spouse dies before a nursing home spouse, how does that affect Medicaid? Learn how to maintain Medicaid eligibility after the death of a spouse.
Article
Sometimes even a legally prepared power of attorney (POA) document is refused by the bank. Know why financial institutions hesitate to grant POAs access to accounts and how to remedy this situation.
Article
A personal care agreement is a contract between a care recipient and caregiver who provides their services for compensation. This binding contract defines a caregiver’s duties, ensures they’re paid fairly and safeguards a senior’s Medicaid eligibility.
Article
Is your parent paying for nursing home care with Medicaid? Learn how to use a life estate as an advance planning technique to allow families to retain ownership of their most important asset, their home.
Article
People, families and finances change over time, and these changes should be reflected in one’s estate planning documents. Consult an elder law attorney about your options for updating or cancelling a will to ensure your wishes are followed.
Article
One of the most powerful tools for managing your affairs should you become mentally incapacitated is a durable power of attorney (DPOA). Understand the legal powers and responsibilities of assigning and holding POA.
Article
MFP through Medicaid is a special program that helps seniors avoid being institutionalized. The grant money has allowed states to set up an infrastructure to determine which nursing home patients are most likely to benefit from a move from an institutional setting.
Article
Inheritance and bequests are usually wonderful gifts, but for a beneficiary on Medicaid, these funds can jeopardize their eligibility for benefits.
Article
There are countless facets involved in determining if a person if eligible for Medicaid, but relationship status does have an impact. If you think you or your loved one may eventually need Medicaid, be sure to take your marital status into consideration.
Article
Medicaid forces a couple to divest themselves of the assets that they had planned to use for their retirement or to pass on to their family. When it comes to Medicaid planning, in some cases a couple may be better off financially if they're divorced.
Article
Filial responsibility laws in some states hold that adult children may be liable for their parents’ unpaid medical and nursing home bills. Learn your responsibilities in paying an impoverished parent’s long-term care costs.
Article
A living trust is a popular financial tool that can be used for Medicaid planning, estate planning and tax planning purposes. However, a trust may not be the best the best approach, depending on a person’s long-term goals and unique financial situation.
Article
It can be a real shock when a care facility notifies a family that it is evicting their aging loved one. Learn about the nursing home discharge and appeals process to prevent an unfair or unsafe discharge.
Article
A senior’s income and assets must fall below certain limits to qualify for long-term care Medicaid. “Income cap” states allow applicants to use a Miller Trust to help them meet income eligibility guidelines.
Article
It can be difficult to determine whether certain assets count toward Medicaid's $2,000 limit. As always, classification of countable and exempt assets varies from state to state, but retirement accounts can complicate Medicaid planning even further.
Article
Learn how to find out if a valid will exists and get tips on where to look for one so you can begin the probate process.
Article
The rules that govern therapeutic leave for nursing home residents depend on how a how a senior’s care is being paid for. Avoid costly mistakes by learning about Medicare and Medicaid bed hold policies.