Our elder law attorneys specialize in the legal needs of elderly individuals and their families to tackle a range of issues, including estate planning, Medicaid planning, and long-term care planning. We help seniors navigate complex public benefit programs and plan for the future while ensuring their wishes are respected, and assets are preserved and protected.
The Benefits of Proactive Utah Long-Term Care Planning
Utah long-term care in a skilled nursing facility or at home can be extremely expensive. At Sandberg, Stettler, & White, we can help you protect your hard-earned assets from being depleted by the high costs of long-term care. Proactive planning allows you to make decisions about care and treatment, receive legal advice on which resources to pay for it, and protect assets for your loved ones’ futures.
Everyone’s journey is different. The type of care needed and costs may change over time. Depending on an individual’s level of care, options to pay for long-term health services may include:
- Private Pay
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Medicaid
- VA Aid and Attendance Pension
- New Choices Waiver
What is Medicaid Planning in Utah?
Medicaid is a federal program funded by federal and state dollars. The rules for qualifying for the long-term care Medicaid program vary considerably from state to state. If you reside in Utah and need Medicaid, then Utah’s Medicaid program rules apply.
The Medicaid planning attorneys at Sandberg, Stettler, & White understand the complexities of Medicaid law and help clients, fellow attorneys, and other professionals navigate the many rules and regulations. There are many misconceptions about Medicaid — particularly in how it operates, how an individual qualifies, the consequences of program eligibility, and the strategies available to those who need benefits.
Medicaid planning is an essential part of the estate planning process. If your Utah estate planning documents don’t include long-term care and Medicaid planning, you could end up spending your life savings or selling your home to pay for nursing home costs. The Utah annual median cost of care in 2023 ranges from $72,820 for in-home care to $116,169 for a private room in a nursing home facility.
Sandberg, Stettler, & White can ensure you or a loved one gets quality health care coverage without losing your home and other significant assets. Medicaid planning includes multiple strategies and recommendations that are based on an individual’s financial and health-related circumstances. You won’t have to navigate the Utah Medicaid process alone.
What are Utah’s Medicaid Qualification Requirements?
Utah offers Medicaid programs to elderly or disabled residents. To receive Utah Medicaid benefits, you or a loved one must meet strict needs, income, and asset tests. Many people believe they won’t qualify, but our Utah Medicaid Planning attorneys at Sandberg, Stettler, & White use asset protection strategies to change assets from ”unprotected” to “protected” status. You’ve saved your whole life for retirement and should be able to afford the care you need.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
A guardian or conservator is appointed when an individual is incapacitated and can no longer handle their own affairs, medically or financially. A guardian protects your loved one’s health and well-being, and a conservator protects their finances.
If a spouse, sibling, or parent did not create a power of attorney before becoming incapacitated, you won’t be able to help them without first petitioning the court for guardianship or conservatorship status. The court must approve the petition and agree with medical evidence supporting the degree of incapacitation. Our Utah elder law firm can walk you and your family through the court process.
Beginning your estate planning early to address long-term care planning, Medicaid, and guardianship with our Utah law firm will offer more options for quality care and better facilities, and show you the way to pay for them. You’ll have peace of mind that your family is financially secure.
Our estate planning attorneys can help you and your loved ones understand estate planning, Medicaid long-term care planning, crisis Medicaid planning, VA planning, special needs planning, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). With offices in Kaysville and South Jordan, our Utah law firm welcomes the opportunity to consult with new clients in Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, Utah, and surrounding counties to learn more about how we can help meet your estate planning and asset protection needs.