Long-Term Care Trusts - LADIES IN LAW®

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Long-Term Care Trusts

Protect Your Legacy Before It's Too Late

Most people don’t like to think about it, but the truth is, nearly 70% of adults over age 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives. And when that time comes, your entire life’s savings could be wiped out to cover nursing home bills, in-home care, or assisted living cost… unless you plan ahead.

A Long-Term Care Trust is one of the most powerful tools to protect your home, your savings, and your dignity. It allows you to qualify for Medicaid and VA benefits without having to spend down everything you’ve worked for. This means your assets are shielded – not seized by hospitals, government, or drained by care costs.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

When a health crisis hits, it’s often too late. You can’t backdate this protection. The earlier you act, the more you preserve.

Don’t learn this the hard way. Our co-founder, Attorney Ameena Sheikh, tragically did. When her beloved father needed long-term care, the family found themselves caught in a nightmare of expenses and limitations because he had refused to set up a Long-Term Care Trust. The emotional toll was compounded by financial devastation.

Read her powerful story HERE.
It’s a must-read for anyone who loves their parents or is thinking about their own future.

The average cost of a private room in a nursing home is over $100,000 per year – and that cost is rising annually. Without proper planning, those expenses can erase your entire estate.

Medicaid requires you to have less than $2,000 in assets to qualify. Without a Long-Term Care Trust, that means selling your home, cashing out retirement accounts, and draining your savings.

And remember: to be protected from Medicaid penalties, this Trust must be created at least 5 years before you need care. Time matters.

What Is a Long-Term Care Trust?

It’s a specialty Irrevocable Trust designed specifically to help individuals:

Whether you’re planning for your future or helping a parent prepare, a Long-Term Care Trust gives you peace of mind and control in uncertain times.

This is not just Estate Planning – it’s life protection.

What You Get With a Long-Term Care Trust?

You stay in control. You can be the Trustee, meaning you manage how your Trust assets are handled.
You keep the income. Rental income or dividends from Trust assets can still go to you—and even your spouse.
You name your future beneficiaries. You choose who inherits your principal assets—like your home—without probate.
You get protection after 5 years. Assets in the Trust are excluded from Medicaid/VA calculations.
You get creditor protection after 2 years.
It’s locked in. Once finalized, your Trust cannot be amended—giving you full legal protection.

Who Should Consider a Long-Term Care Trust?

Trusts Are Just One Part Of An Estate Plan...

Trusts are integral components of many Estate Plans, offering benefits such as asset management, privacy, continuity in financial decision-making, potential tax advantages, and creditor protection. However, they are just one facet of a comprehensive Estate Planning strategy. Estate Planning typically involves a variety of legal instruments and strategies tailored to individual needs and goals, including Wills for asset distribution, Guardianship Designation for minor children, Healthcare Directives for end-of-life care, tax planning, charitable giving, and business succession. While Trusts may be highly effective in certain situations, such as for individuals with complex assets or specific goals like minimizing Estate Taxes or providing for ongoing financial support, they may not be necessary or practical for everyone, as they require ongoing management and administration and may not address all aspects of Estate Planning. Therefore, Trusts are just one part of an Estate Plan, which should be customized to reflect the unique circumstances and objectives of each individual or family.

WILLS

Specify how you want your assets distributed after your death. They allow you to name beneficiaries, designate guardians for minor children, and appoint an executor to manage your estate.

TRUSTS

Allow you to manage and protect your assets from probate by transferring them to a trustee, who holds and manages them for your beneficiaries according to your specified terms.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Authorize someone to make decisions on your behalf in regard to finances or medical decisions if you become incapacitated.

healthcare directives

Specify your medical treatment preferences and designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so.

more

An Estate Plan may also include business assignments to transfer business interests, Quitclaim Deeds or Ladybird Deeds, ensuring comprehensive coverage for your unique situation.

Not All Estate Plans Are Created Equal!

Families end up in Probate Court every day that had a "plan" in place. Many details, such as simply executing the plan, may be left incomplete and may cause significant issues. Another common issue is having a Trust but not transferring the assets into that Trust, or not having a succession plan for a business. Depending on your unique situation, there may be many potential pitfalls that could send your assets and family to Probate Court, even with a "plan". It can be a bit like walking on a tight rope to ensure that everything is thought of and legally binding. That's why you need an EXPERT Estate Planning attorney to help you craft your documents, which is exactly what LADIES IN LAW® is here to do for you.

Your Legacy Plan with LADIES IN LAW®

We at LADIES IN LAW® call our Estate Plans "Legacy Plans", because they are created to preserve your legacy and keep it out of Probate Court!

We will personalize your documents so you get exactly what you need without having to pay for stuff that you don't need. Your documents will be legally binding and ensure you set the rules for your Legacy instead of the State or the court deciding for you.

Ready to Get Your Own Legacy Plan?

Let us help you create your Legacy Plan, custom tailored to fit your every need and keep your assets and your family out of Probate Court! Start the process by clicking the button below and scheduling a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your situation with one of our specialized attorneys!