Elder Law and Medicaid

Careful Management Of Issues Facing Elderly People

>At Brown Paindiris & Scott, our attorneys assist with the complex legal issues that elderly people frequently face in relation to care, incapacity and eligibility for government benefits, such as Medicaid. Many options are available in relation to these issues, and it is our role to educate you about these options and work with you to create a plan of action that makes sense based on the situation that you or your elderly loved one is facing.

What Is Elder Law?

Elder law is an area of law that encompasses the various legal issues faced by Connecticut’s aging population. Since 1977, we have handled all of these issues, including:

• Medicaid and Title 19 planning
• Nursing home and crisis Medicaid planning
• Medicare claims and appeals
• Social Security benefits
• Supplemental and long-term health insurance issues
• Nursing home and assisted living facility placement
• Elder abuse and fraud recovery
• Retirement and pension benefits
• Estate planning and probate representation
• Protection of assets for the community spouse (the spouse still residing at home)

Three Stages Of Elder Planning

We believe in a three-stage process when it comes to elder planning:

• Stage one: Individuals reaching retirement age, or who have recently retired, begin planning by focusing on preventative measures, such as updating estate planning documents and reviewing long-term care insurance.
• Stage two: Individuals who are a few years into retirement, including those who have moved into a senior housing complex or assisted living facility, continue the planning process by considering gifting assets, such as their homes, to children and grandchildren.
• Stage three: Individuals who require significant assistance, either in their homes or in a nursing home, continue planning by focusing on protecting assets for loved ones. Planning at this stage may also involve life care planning and government assistance, particularly to offset the expense of care.