Arizona

When it comes to protecting your home, there’s an often-overlooked risk: the cost of long-term care. Many people believe that having a will or adding a family member’s name to the deed will shield their home from nursing home or assisted living expenses. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Without the right planning, your home could be at risk of being used to pay for these costs, leaving your family with much less than you intended.

At Metropolitan Law Group in Chandler, Arizona, Attorney Lisa Haster frequently meets clients shocked to learn that their current estate plan doesn’t protect their home from nursing home creditors. They’re surprised because, like many people, they assumed that a will or adding a loved one’s name to the title would suffice. But the truth is, if you want to keep your home safe from nursing home costs, you need a Medicaid Protection Trust—and timing is everything.

Why a Will or Adding a Name to the Title Won’t Protect Your Home

When someone passes away, any debts they’ve left behind, including unpaid medical or long-term care expenses, will often need to be addressed. These costs can force your home through the probate process, which can lead to its sale to satisfy outstanding debts. This risk remains even if you’ve added a spouse’s or child’s name to the title. Creditors can still target the property if it’s not properly protected by a trust.

The Solution: A Medicaid Protection Trust

Unlike a will, a Medicaid Protection Trust offers a level of protection that shields your home from long-term care creditors. This trust allows you to transfer ownership of your home into a secure, protected entity that is outside the reach of creditors, keeping it safe for your loved ones.

However, it’s essential to plan well in advance. Medicaid regulations include a “look-back period” of five years, meaning that the trust must be in place at least five years before either spouse enters a nursing home to be fully effective. Waiting too long to set up a Medicaid Protection Trust can put your assets at risk.

Protecting What You’ve Built

Setting up a Medicaid Protection Trust isn’t just about who inherits your home—it’s about safeguarding it from the high costs of long-term care. As Attorney Lisa Haster of Metropolitan Law Group explains, “Estate planning should protect what’s yours while ensuring that your family benefits from your hard work, not creditors.”

Get Started Today with Metropolitan Law Group in Chandler, Arizona

Don’t wait to protect your home. Our experienced team at Metropolitan Law Group in Chandler, Arizona can guide you through the process of creating a Medicaid Protection Trust tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at (480) 409-8200 and secure your home for your loved ones. Visit our contact page here to get started.

Protect Your Legacy. Schedule Your Consultation Now!

With proactive planning, you can ensure that your home stays in your family, not in the hands of creditors. Let us help you secure the legacy you’ve worked so hard to build.