Asset Protection In Stuebenville, Ohio
Contrary to common belief, asset protection strategies benefit both the affluent and middle class. These methods help secure assets for retirement and facilitate property transfer to loved ones. This becomes especially relevant in later life when health changes are more likely. Understanding that healthcare costs, notably long-term care expenses, can derail retirement plans, elder care lawyers work with middle-class families on asset protection planning. Their goal is to safeguard financial resources and mitigate the risk of financial hardship due to health-related expenses.
While the tools and strategies are complex, our attorneys make the process a smooth and easy one for our clients. Everyone deserves the peace of mind of knowing their future is secure. This is a complicated legal process, so contact a Steubenville, Ohio, asset protection attorney from Jarvis Law Office. We can review your situation and develop the ideal asset protection plan for you.
Why You Should Consider Asset Protection
Elder law prioritizes asset protection as a vital element in securing seniorsโ financial stability during retirement. This practice employs various methods to guard assets against creditors, legal rulings, and the expenses associated with long-term care. Protective strategies may include the establishment of trusts, creation of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), use of annuities, implementation of gifting plans, and other personalized techniques. The professionals at Jarvis Law understand the challenges seniors encounter in defending their lifetime accumulations and are committed to offering optimal solutions. Our comprehensiveย asset protection servicesย strive to provide superior advice and tailored guidance to meet your individual needs.
Take Steps Now to Protect Your Assets
Taking preemptive action is key in asset protection. An asset protection lawyer can help evaluate risks and formulate strategies to protect your assets. If you possess significant property, hold valuable investments, or own a business, itโs wise to seek an asset protection attorneyโs advice promptly. They will offer legal guidance on structuring your investments and assets to shield them from possible creditors and litigation. Furthermore, they can aid in setting up trusts or other legal entities to secure your wealth for future generations. Given the nuances of state-specific asset protection laws, a proficient asset protection attorney at Jarvis Law can guide you through these complex legal landscapes.
Asset Protection Strategies
Our Steubenville asset protection attorneys utilize various strategies to assist clients. These strategies protect our clients by:
- Preserving your life savings from the catastrophic cost of long-term care by Preventing or Reducing a Medicaid Spend Down
- Protecting your home from a Medicaid Lien
- Making sure you and your spouse have enough income and savings to last the rest of your lives
- Creating a plan for the future that ensures a seamless transition to your chosen individual(s) that is smooth and easy
- Making sure you are never a burden on your spouse or children
Key Facts About Long-Term Care Planning In Steubenville
2022 ushered in substantial increases in long-term care service costs in Steubenville, elsewhere in Ohio and, indeed, throughout the U.S. This dramatic rise in expenses has been so significant that even those with existing long-term care policies now need to explore additional methods to address the escalating rates for home care, assisted living, and nursing home care.
Most of our clients in Steubenville express a preference for receiving care in their own homes. Ohio residents are fortunate to have access to a Medicaid program that can assist families with these care costs. This is particularly crucial given that this sector has experienced one of the most significant cost increases, largely due to workforce reductions in recent years. Previously, a month of round-the-clock home care was priced at approximately $16,000. However, our clients now report receiving service quotes ranging from $21,000 to $24,000 per month. Given these high costs, most families we assist would find it challenging to maintain this level of care for an extended period.
In recent times, nursing home and assisted living center rates have also jumped significantly. A local Blacklick nursing home that was previously charging $9,000 a month for care recently quoted $14,000 for that same care. Several other care centers in the area have implemented similar increases in their rates. These businesses are having trouble keeping staff, and their expenses have risen due to inflation.
This has created an environment where those needing care and assistance have to use a larger amount from their savings than they had ever planned to. All of this is leading to concern that seniors wonโt be able to afford the care and support services that they need.
But there is hope. Steubenville seniors can access tools and strategies to make their savings last longer by working with a Steubenville, Ohio, elder care attorney who can leverage their assets and strategize adequate safeguards for them.
Consider Domestic Asset Protection Trusts
Ohio law allows for the use of powerful asset protection mechanisms, including asset protection trusts. This seldom-used and frequently misinterpreted instrument is crucial in a holistic approach to safeguard assets from Medicaid spend-down, certain creditors, and legal claims. These trusts have been at the disposal of Steubenville residents for the past few decades. A skilled asset protection or elder care attorney can leverage this hybrid form of irrevocable trust to guard your personal assets from the very tangible risks outlined earlier. Additionally, being a hybrid trust, it enables you to maintain control over your trust assets. You can also name your children and grandchildren as beneficiaries, incorporating protections against lifeโs uncertainties like divorce, bankruptcy, disability, lawsuits, and poor judgment. This adaptability explains why this option is highly sought after by residents of Steubenville aiming to protect their assets.
There are some caveats to keep in mind. We still have to keep an eye on the five-year lookback with Medicaid if we are hoping to utilize that option to supplement the high cost of care in the years ahead. Sometimes families come to us, and they donโt have five years available until their loved one needs care. Thatโs okay too. These tools can be combined with other strategies to preserve a significant amount of what would otherwise be lost. The more time the elder care attorney has to work with you, the more likely they will be able to protect your assets. Also, creditors have 18 months to bring claims against the assets in the trust. Once that time passes, your assets will be protected.
Protecting Assets With Insurance
Your Steubenville asset protection attorney can also advise you on purchasing umbrella insurance policies. These policies can shield you against liability, even if youโre involved in a lawsuit. You can often buy the policy you need through your homeownerโs insurance company. However, consult with your attorney to ensure it provides the asset protection you need before making a purchase.
Jointly Held Accounts
Did you know that money in jointly held accounts is at risk? For example, if you share an account with a child who gets divorced, the money could be seized. Your Steubenville asset protection attorney will review your jointly-held accounts and assets and recommend legal strategies to protect those assets.