Medicaid Planning Attorney in Wolf Lake, MI
Over 30 Years of Experience in Medicaid Law in West Michigan
How Medicaid Planning Works in Michigan
Medicaid planning is the process of legally protecting assets and qualifying for Medicaid coverage of long-term care costs, which can otherwise consume a family's savings quickly. For families in Wolf Lake and throughout West Michigan, understanding how Michigan's specific Medicaid rules work is the first step toward building a plan that protects what you've worked for while still qualifying for the care you need.
What You Can Keep vs. What Must Be Spent Down
Michigan Medicaid distinguishes between exempt assets, which you're allowed to keep, and countable assets, which generally must be spent down before you qualify for benefits. Exempt assets include your primary home, one vehicle, personal belongings, a prepaid irrevocable funeral contract, and life insurance with a combined face value of $1,500 or less. For a single applicant, the countable asset limit is $9,950 as of 2026, meaning assets above that amount typically need to be spent down or otherwise protected before Medicaid eligibility kicks in.
Planning Ahead With a Trust
For someone who isn't facing an immediate care crisis, planning ahead with a trust is often the most effective way to protect assets well before Medicaid becomes necessary. Michigan applies a 5-year lookback period to asset transfers, meaning gifts or transfers made within 5 years of applying can delay eligibility. Setting up the right trust structure years in advance, rather than waiting until a crisis hits, gives your family far more options and a much stronger position when the time comes to apply.
Is It Too Late If a Loved One Is Already in Care?
If a loved one is already receiving long-term care, it's easy to assume the planning window has closed, but that's often not the case. Even in a crisis situation, there are still legal strategies available to protect a meaningful portion of a family's assets, though the options are more limited than they would be with advance planning. The sooner you speak with an elder law attorney after a loved one enters care, the more options remain available.
Experienced Medicaid Planning for West Michigan Families
The Law Office of David Waterstradt brings over 30 years of experience in elder law and Medicaid planning to families throughout Wolf Lake and West Michigan. Our firm stays current on Michigan's specific Medicaid rules and figures, which change from year to year. Contact the Law Office of David Waterstradt today to schedule a consultation and start building a Medicaid plan that protects your family's assets.