Dear Friend,

Let me take a moment to talk with you about something that catches far too many families off guard—nursing home costs. It’s a subject that no one really wants to think about, but it’s so important that you do. The truth is, the average cost of nursing home care in the U.S. can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per month—and these costs can quickly drain a family’s savings. The last thing you want is to see everything you’ve worked so hard for disappear just because you didn’t plan ahead.

Here’s the reality: long-term care is expensive. And while we all hope we’ll never need it, statistics show that many of us will. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, long-term care planning is something you need to think about now, before it’s too late. If you don’t, you could be putting your entire estate at risk.

I’ve seen it happen too many times. A family comes to me after they’ve already started dipping into their savings, selling assets, or liquidating retirement accounts just to cover the mounting costs of care for a parent or spouse. It’s heartbreaking to watch, especially when it could have been avoided with proper planning.

One of the best tools we have for protecting your assets from being eaten away by nursing home costs is Medicaid planning. Now, I know what you’re thinking—“Isn’t Medicaid for people who don’t have any money?” Well, not exactly. There are legal, ethical strategies that can allow you to qualify for Medicaid assistance while still protecting a significant portion of your assets. The key is to plan ahead.

Here’s where most people go wrong: they wait too long to start thinking about Medicaid. Medicaid has a five-year look-back period—meaning that any asset transfers you make within five years of applying for assistance will be scrutinized, and they could disqualify you from receiving help. That’s why waiting until the last minute to figure this out is a dangerous mistake. By the time you or a loved one needs nursing home care, it could be too late to protect your assets without facing significant penalties.

But there’s good news. With careful, proactive planning, you can safeguard your assets while still qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care costs

Imagine this: Instead of worrying about how long your savings will last or whether your family will have to sell your home to pay for your care, you can have peace of mind knowing that everything is protected. Your legacy stays intact. Your children won’t be burdened with impossible financial decisions. You’ll get the care you need, and your family will stay secure.

At Bascom Law, we’ve helped countless families navigate this process. We understand the complexities of Medicaid and asset protection, and we’re here to guide you through it. The decisions you make today can mean the difference between keeping your assets safe or losing them to a nursing home bill that never seems to end.

But here’s the most important part—the time to act is now. If you wait until you or a loved one needs care, it becomes increasingly more difficult to protect your assets. So, start planning today, while you still have options. We’ll work with you to create a customized plan that protects what matters most, so you can focus on what really matters—your health, your family, and your peace of mind. Call us today at 770-285-5493 to schedule a consultation. Let’s sit down and talk about your options.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike

Mike Bascom
Bascom Law, PC
Estate Planning & Elder Law