Dear Reader,

As President Joe Biden leaves office, his mental decline has been a topic of heated debate for years. News cycles have been relentless, dissecting every moment and raising questions that have resonated far beyond politics.

Whatever your political leanings, one thing is clear: Time spares no one, and mental and physical health can change in an instant. The spotlight on President Biden serves as a powerful reminder—especially for families with aging loved ones.

But what if this weren’t a headline? What if it were your family—your parent, your spouse, or even you? What would happen if memory, health, or mobility began to falter? Would you be prepared to handle the complexities of long-term care, the staggering costs, and the emotional toll it takes on families?

For many families, the answer is no.

The Price of Delay: A Family’s Worst Nightmare

Imagine this: A mother in her early seventies who has always been sharp and independent starts forgetting little things. First, it’s her keys or an appointment. Then, more significant lapses—she forgets how to make her signature lasagna or gets lost driving home from a familiar place. Her children chalk it up to aging, promising to “keep an eye on it.”

By the time they accept the reality—early-onset Alzheimer’s—it’s too late to protect her assets. The family scrambles to apply for Medicaid. They discover the “look-back period” disqualifies her for help, leaving them to shoulder $10,000 per month in care costs. In their rush to act, they make mistakes, losing more of her life savings to penalties and taxes than they ever imagined.

This is not an uncommon story. It happens to families every single day. But it doesn’t have to.

The High Stakes of Long-Term Care

Long-term care can be financially devastating for families without a plan. The national average cost of a private room in a nursing home exceeds $100,000 annually, and even part-time in-home care can stretch a family’s budget to the breaking point. Medicare won’t cover it. Medicaid can, but only if you meet strict qualifications—and failing to prepare can mean losing everything.

Planning isn’t just about money; it’s about control. Who will make decisions if you’re no longer able? What kind of care will you receive? Will your family be left with the burden of figuring it all out while you suffer?

How Estate Planning Protects Your Family’s Future

Estate planning and long-term care planning are your safety nets. These tools protect your assets, and more importantly, they preserve dignity, ensure quality care, and remove the crushing weight of uncertainty from your loved ones.

At Bascom Law, we believe that every family deserves a plan. Whether you’re thinking of your aging parents, a spouse, or even your future self, the right strategies can mean the difference between chaos and peace of mind.

Here’s how we help:

  • Medicaid Planning: Avoid the “look-back period” pitfalls by protecting assets early and legally qualifying for Medicaid.
  • Asset Protection Trusts: Keep what you’ve worked a lifetime to build safe from long-term care costs.
  • Advanced Directive for Health Care and HIPAA Authorization and Release: Make sure the right person makes decisions when it matters most.
  • Customized Plans: No family’s situation is the same, and we tailor strategies to your unique needs.

The Time to Act is Now

The conversation around President Biden’s mental decline has been polarizing, but it also highlights a universal truth: Time waits for no one. If the leader of the free world can face the ravages of age, so can we. The question is, will you be ready when it happens?

Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. The worst time to make decisions is in a crisis. Start now, while you still have options and control.

Call us today at 770-285-5493 for a consultation. Together, we can create a plan that gives you and your family the security, confidence, and peace of mind you deserve.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike

Mike Bascom

Bascom Law, PC

Estate Planning & Elder Law