The Middle Class Is Broke Because Estate Planning Is Broken

How The Rich Do Long-Term Care

Spoke with a smart person last week. She works for a gigantic financial services company. You know the name. The company is excellent. She is excellent. Her team’s job is to look out for about 150 families. “Wealth Management.” They are good at it. Her families do not go broke.

I was curious… “How do you deal with long term care?”

“A cornerstone of our work, of course. You cannot ignore it.” She said.

“But how do you do it?” I persisted.

I was disappointed in her reply. She talked about “asset allocation.” Used the same words and phrases I had heard from other financial professionals. Stuff I have seen fail over and over again. Very disappointing. Burst my bubble. No insight here. And she had seemed so perceptive. But it was the same old, same old. Recycled stuff. Your own financial advisor gave you the same advice. Put so much over here, so much over there. Et cetera.

“That’s all well and good,” I said, “But don’t your folks go broke?”

She laughed. “No, never.”

“Never? I find that hard to believe. Long-term care is expensive.”

“Yes, it is,” she agreed. “But fifty million dollars is quite a bit of money.”

Demonstrating my keen intelligence, I replied, “Huh?”

“Well, our minimum is fifty million of investable assets…”

And then the lightbulb moment…

“Ohhh!”

How the rich do long-term care. From their (minimum) fifty million, their team of professional investors allocates a few million to long-term care issues. Problem solved. For them. Unfortunately, that is what your financial advisor is doing for you. That is why your family faces nursing home poverty.

We Are Not The Rich. Their Solutions Do Not Work For Us

Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. [U]nless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand.

—F. Scott Fitzgerald

Why aren’t your advisors looking out for you? Why all the parrot talk about asset allocation, hybrid insurance products, investment strategies? Why the outright denial and plain avoidance? Why won’t they level with you?

Maybe they do not know any better. Maybe they think that the same strategies that work for the wealthy will work for the middle class. Maybe they are doing the best that they can. Maybe they cannot help it.

Consider the possibility that your advisor learned “best practices” from a “wealth management” guru. Your advisor’s teacher excelled at preserving and growing “old money.” Your advisor was inspired by someone who hobnobs with wealthy folk day-in and day-out. The result: Your advisor may know how to deal with rich people. But what does that have to do with you?
Exactly nothing. According to Ernest Hemingway, the rich are different than you and me. “Yes, they have more money.” Planning for $50,000,000 is not like planning for $500,000. How is that not obvious?

Broken: How The Middle-Class Does Long-Term Care

You spend. And spend. And keep on spending. $12,000 each month for skilled care. $6-7500 each month for assisted living. $25 each hour for companion care at home. More if you want a certified nursing assistant or nurse. Asset allocation? Hardee-har-har.

And then you are broke. Medicaid to the rescue!

Your estate plan is meaningless. Your financial plan is out the window. Your lifetime of work and savings has evaporated. Middle class planning that fails is broken. Let us be honest.

What if we faced the fact that you are not the Great Gatsby? That you do not have a couple million to allocate to long-term care? That long-term care for middle class people like us means Medicaid? Sooner or later, Medicaid will be the solution. Four out of five people in skilled nursing facilities are on Medicaid. 80%. That is reality. Thousands of families receive at-home care through Medicaid. That is also reality.

Fix It: The Middle-Class Can Win Long-Term Care

Recognize that long-term care is a reality for the vast majority. Two-thirds of women, half of men are eventually institutionalized. Accept that Medicaid is the way America pays for long term care.

Anticipate. Plan to preserve your lifesavings. For yourself. For your spouse. For the next generation. The world needs you and your values. Dying in poverty is no way to demonstrate success.

There are 3 goals of LifePlanning™
#1 No Poverty. You will not go broke. Your choices will matter. Your family will succeed.
#2 No Handouts. You have paid into the system with every paycheck, every IRA Required Minimum Distribution, every tax payment. You are not looking for charity or a free ride. Only a bit of fairness.
#3 No Waste. Your hard-earned savings will not be wasted on probate. Will not be thrown out the window. Will not be intercepted by predators or creditors. Your legacy will be of life well-lived. And support for the next generation.

There is no problem with rich folks being rich or planning that takes account of wealth. Good for them.

There is a big problem with advisors giving the same advice to middle class workers and savers that they give to those rich folks. Do not fall into this trap. Learn how. It is super easy. Barely an inconvenience. On your schedule. In the comfort and safety of your own home. In the comfort and safety of one of our workshop rooms. In the comfort and safety of wherever you find comfort and safety.

Sending Just Money To The Next Generation – Easy. Worthless.
Sending Money With Values To The Next Generation – Difficult. Priceless.

Sixty minutes to personal control. Because you earned it. Avoid Nursing Home Poverty. Thousands of middle-class families have learned and use these techniques. Why not yours? Transmit your values along with your stuff.

Got Questions? Get Answers! (800) 317-2812

Your New Opportunity For Free At Home Care

You are tired. Caring for a loved one with dementia is no joke. You are worried. Where is the money going to come from? Lifesavings almost exhausted. Maybe a home equity line of credit… maybe credit cards… how long can I keep putting one foot in front of the other? What to do? So many people saying so many different things… Take a break with the newspaper… Boring… What does any of this have to do with me? Nothing but bad news anyway… Maybe that lawyer guy always yapping about nursing homes and such has something to say…

Emergency Rules Effective “Until Further Notice”

April 1st Cut-Off Rescinded! Free At-Home Care For Middle Class Taxpayers

Nobody Wants To Be Institutionalized:

Basic Facts
Thirty-nine years as an attorney. Thirty-one years focused on estate planning and elder law. Helping thousands of families deal with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s, ALS… Watching Dad cope with Mom’s vascular dementia and death. One year of pandemic lockdown. One year of unnecessary death. By “Executive Order.” Here is what I see:

Great! 40 years of ignoring regular folks…
Big shot lawyer-guy… What do they know?
What does he care?

Fact #1: Your husband, wife, mom, or dad does not want institutional care. Neither do you. You want to stay home. So do they.
Fact #2: Institutional Care is COVID-19 deadly. How deadly? Very. At least 70 times greater. But cooked books in New York means we do not know just how deadly.
Fact #3 Institutional Care is Expensive. Assisted Living is $4000-$6000 per month. Nursing Home is $10,0000-$15,000 per month.
Fact #4: Your family is going broke. Nursing Home Poverty.
Fact #5: Medicaid pays when you are broke. Busted. Played out. Sell the cottage. Cash in the CDs. Spend the savings. When your lifesavings are gone, you can share a room. Get a shower a week (whether you need it or not). Experience the adventure of group laundry. Listen to your roommate practice his Tiny Tim impression, Tiptoeing Through the Tulips. At Two in the morning.
Fact #6: You want to care for your loved one. “Richer or Poorer, Sickness or Health, Good times and Bad” “Honor your Father and Mother.” You take this family responsibility stuff seriously.
Fact #7: Caring for you will kill your spouse. Break up your kid’s marriage. Caring for your spouse will kill you. Caregivers die first 40-50% of the time.
Fact #8: You can fix all of this. It will not cost you your lifesavings. Or your home. Or the cottage. Or your business.
Fact #9: Most folks would rather suffer the consequences than call 800-317-2812. Or take any other positive action.
Fact #10: Refusing the help you have paid for with your taxes. That is the tragedy.

Sounds wonderful! Sure. What does that guy know about tragedy? That stuff never works anyway. Not for us. We just pay and pay.
Promises, Promises, I’m all through with promises, promises now… One foot in front of the other… It is getting worse…
Doesn’t recognize the kids anymore… Hardly knows who I am… But I can do this! It’ll be OK… Somehow.

You Need Help. But. The Care Is Too Damn Expensive!

Yes. Yes, it is. Care is expensive. Caregivers are difficult to find. The work is hard. The hours are long.
Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is the answer.

You or your loved one is safe at home, with family support. But you need care. Maybe not a lot, but more than a little. Just enough to keep you at home. That is where PACE comes in.

Compared to traditional, institutional care, PACE is a bargain. Much less expense. Meeting the need. Not so expensive. For the government. PACE is free to you.

Now: Expanded Eligibility

PACE is a privately run program. Paid for with your tax dollars. The tax dollars you contributed while working. The tax dollars that come out of every Social Security and pension check and IRA/401(k) distribution you receive. You have earned PACE.

But you must qualify. Maybe you have been told to sell the cottage. Or the farm. Or the hunting property. Maybe you have been told to “spend down.” No more CDs for you! Cash in those stocks and bonds. No security. Not for you. Not for your spouse. Not for your family. But…

Last year we reported good news about PACE. Emergency Rules. Eligibility expanded for thousands more families. Keep your life savings, cottage, farm, rental properties, business. Poverty is no longer required… provided you follow the complex rules. Care services are free. Keep your income. No co-pay. No doughnut hole. No other contribution.

Last year the State of Michigan said the special rules would expire in June. Then the State of Michigan said the COVID rules would expire in November. Then the State of Michigan said the emergency rules would expire in April. Getting dizzy yet?

Last week, the State of Michigan changed its mind again. Remember, these expanded rules have saved thousands of middle-class families like yours from nursing home poverty. Well, the State of Michigan said that these very beneficial rules would remain in effect, “UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE”!

Many Michigan families have already acted on this information. They are securing at-home care for their loved ones. PACE keeps them safe from the deadly COVID-19 virus stalking long-term care facilities.

Just like the government… keep changing things.
Do it this way, do it that way… Masks are awful… Masks are great… Six feet distance… Three feet distance…
Even if I try to go for that PACE thing, they’ll just change the rules again and we’ll be really be up a creek…
Still, might be nice to get some help… Wakes me up at all hours… Just wandering through the house…
How much more can I take? One foot in front of the other… So lonely…

Healthy Skepticism Or Deadly Doubt?

Many more families could benefit. But tragically, they cannot believe it is possible. Healthy skepticism hardens into stubborn rejection. Everyone suffers. Clinging to the idea that it is “too good to be true” or “fake news”? Pitiful. I’ve spoken to some folks who were uncertain and suspicious. Accurate information and proof beat unfounded fears every day. Fact: You do not have to accept nursing home poverty for yourself or your loved one.

Exactly… just a come-on. Fake news. Never works for real people. Can’t fool me with that too good to be true crap. What does a lawyer know about long-term care anyway? Shysters! What do they care? We won’t get fooled again…

Do You Or Your Loved One Qualify?

Answer Yes To 3 Questions:
1. Need help with activities of daily life? Memory problems? Oxygen therapy? Blindness? Dialysis? These are just a few of the many ways to qualify.
2. Are you safe at home?
3. Gross social security less than $2382? (Special rules for pension income.)

Let’s do the homework together. Most folks get large benefits. It costs nothing to find out.

Get Answers Now: 800-317-2812

Yeah, yeah… it’s dementia… Of course, we need help with daily routine… Of course, there are memory problems… not thinking straight… Still safe at home, as long as I’m around… I wish we
got that much social security! What’s a pension? “Large benefits” huh… I’m so sure… “Costs nothing” who believes that? It would be nice, though… Bah… nonsense!

Covid-19 Rule Changes Will Not Last

COVID-19 emergency rules are temporary. The benefits are permanent. When the emergency is over, these favorable rules will be gone. Of course, this may not be for you. Why not find out? Is it so bad to get back a little from the tax dollars you have paid? Call our Discovery Paralegal at 800-317-2812. Why not find out now?

Sure, it might be nice to get something back from taxes, but that is not how it works… $1400… whoop-de-do… We need real help, not window-dressing…

What Benefits Does Pace Provide?

Folks always want to know: What can PACE do for me? You have a team on your side. Your PACE team is doctors, therapists, dieticians, nurses, physician assistants, administrators. All work together to provide the best solution. Want more detail? You can receive:

ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER
• On-Site Physician/Medical Supervision
• Nursing Care
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Recreational Therapy
• Activities and Exercise
• Breakfast, Lunch, Snack
• Nutritional Counseling
• Social Services
• Dental Care
• Audiology
• Optometry
• Podiatry

I bet it’s a dump, full of crazy people…

Medical Specialists
• Women’s Services
• Dentistry and Dentures
• Optometry and Eyeglasses
• Audiology and Hearing Aids
• Podiatry, Diabetic Shoes and Orthotics
• Cardiology
• Rheumatology

“Medical specialists!”
I bet there a bunch of hacks and quacks…

Outpatient Services
• Lab Tests
• Radiology
• X-Rays
• Outpatient Surgery

Sure, x-ray machine from when LBJ was president…
Surgery with rusty knives, I bet ya…

Primary Care Physician
• On call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Huh, 24/7… probably just an answering service…
I bet they “get back” to you next week, next month…

Home Health And Home Care Services
• Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Personal Care
• Chore Services
• Meal Preparation

I bet they don’t really do all that stuff…

Inpatient Services
• Emergency Room Visits
• Hospitalizations
• Inpatient Specialist
• Skilled Inpatient Rehabilitation

I know they use the local hospital so that’s OK,
but I bet only the old, run-down parts of it…

Transportation Services

I bet they give you a used bicycle… Good Luck!

Prescriptions And Over-The-Counter Medications

I heard they have their own pharmacy… No co-pays. No record-keeping. No neighbor kids stealing our drugs off the front porch. Huh. Well, I bet there’s something wrong with it!

Family/Caregiver Support Services
• Respite Care and Caregiver Education

Rehab And Durable Medical Equipment
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers
• Oxygen
• Hospital Beds
• Diabetic Testing Supplies
• Adult Day Care

The Smiths used PACE…
they got brand-new equipment. Top notch stuff.
I bet that would not work for us…

What You Need To Do Now… While There Is Still Time Under The Covid Rules

Get the straight story. You do not need to prepare for the call. Call as you are. Very basic questions… you already know the answers… Your loved one is counting on you. Don’t let them down. It’s simple and free. Call 800-317-2812. Your Discovery meeting and Analysis meeting are waiting for you. Get it done.

What’s that they say in the casino and lottery commercials? “If YOU have a gambling problem, call the hotline etc, etc… Maybe I’m betting too much… Maybe I’m gambling with my loved one’s health and well-being… Maybe I’m gambling with my own health and well-being… Maybe I have a “gambling” problem… What was that number again?… 800-317-2812…
Hey! Old-fashioned toll-free…

Long-term care breaks the Michigan Middle-class. Destroys your peace of mind. Throws all your best-laid plans into confusion. Intimate, family relationships are strained, sometimes to the breaking point. Couples of 50,60,70 years separated as never before. LifePlanning™ preserves your lifesavings and protects what you deeply value. Security for you and your loved ones. That is what this is all about. And I explain how in our Workshops and Webinars. Recently, however, an older gentleman challenged me. “How do I know you deliver the security you talk about? What’s your guarantee? You lawyers don’t guarantee a darn thing. Humph!” I like a challenge. And that comment got me to thinking… Why not a Guarantee? We say we deliver security, peace of mind, a solid foundation for the future. That’s what thousands of clients over the last 31 years have said, too. But why not a GUARANTEE? So here is our totally scientific, iron-clad, super-duper paratrooper, no bones about it, tell us what you really think, Guarantee.

Peace Of Mind Is Our Stock In Trade

Sleep Like A Baby…
Walking On Sunshine
GUARANTEE
You Be The Judge!

Here’s How It Works
1. Come to a Workshop or Webinar.
2. Meet in person at one of our convenient offices or by ZOOM.
3. Working together, we devise a comprehensive LifePlanTM that meets your unique needs.
4. You retain us to implement your LifePlanTM.
5. When you take that first step on the LifePlanTM journey, each adult will receive:
a. A brand-new, FedEx-fresh from the factory, queen-size MyPillow®. Medium Firm. (Yes, these are the genuine article; the real McCoy! Accept No Substitutes!)
b. Deluxe Pillowcase(s) (Also new (what did you think?)).
6. Sleep on your new MyPillow while we draft and you review your LifePlanTM. Take careful note of the deeper, more restful and refreshing sleep you enjoy. (Is it the MyPillow or your progress to LifePlanTM security?
7. At one of our comfortable, homelike offices, your home, hospital, long-term care facility or such other place as may be convenient, create your LifePlanTM by signing a truly impressive array of documents.
8. Feel the calming waves of relief and security wash over you and your family.
9. Evaluate your sleep.
10. I GUARANTEE
a. You will enjoy peaceful sleep unlike any other ever before!
b. Your LifePlanTM Peace of Mind will beat the MyPillow, hands down!
c. The calm invigoration of your LifePlanTM will make you feel like a new person!
d. As the lines of worry and anxiety fade from your face, your family and friends will accuse you of having had plastic surgery! Wow!
11. If your LifePlanTM does not “knit up the ravelled sleeve of care” (as Shakespeare said), simply let us know. You may have your choice of:
a. An electronic metronome; or
b. A white noise machine; or
c. A box of chamomile tea bags.

Now That’s A Guarantee!

A Star Wars Story – Your Estate Plan Is Surrender to the Death Star

But You Can Save the Universe!

What if Estate Planning were like Star Wars? Who is the bad guy? Who is the hero? How do you win? No technicalities. All the realities. For purposes of this parody (must call it a parody for copyright purposes), we assume you are familiar with Star Wars (only the first one).

You Are Luke Skywalker

Regular folks. Working hard on the farm. Faithful to your family. Life is boring, but you have ambitions. Wanting to make things better. For yourself right now. Then for the next generation. But the evil Empire is in your way. How can you win?

Nursing Home Poverty Is The Evil Empire

You face the future. Aging and disability are out there. Real. No kidding. Bad news. Darth Vader level bad news. Most families die broke. Most folks wind up in long-term care. You do not have to worry about probate because you spent everything on at-home care, assisted living or skilled nursing. But you are not cowardly. No running away. Heroic. You are not going broke! But what to do? How to beat the bad guys?

We Are Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan has been down this path before. Offering insight. Delivering your light saber. You have to save the day, but you are not alone. We can help, but that is all. Remember, you are the hero!

The Hero Needs A Plan… Here It Is!

Is it hard to beat the Evil Empire? To secure your lifesavings and protect your family? For a hero like you, it is super easy! Barely an inconvenience…

Every week Obi-Wan Kenobi will personally guide you along the path to victory. Sign up today for a Workshop or Webinar. Some are listed on this page. Call the Rebel Alliance directly at 800-317-2812.

Slack Off And Watch Darth Vader Take Over Your Universe

Can you afford to have the Death Star blasting laser beams at your planet? Can you afford $10,000 to $15,000 per month for skilled care? (Aren’t those the same question?)

If Darth Vader takes over, your choices are gone. No freedom for you! If your lifesavings are gone, what choices do you have? How have you provided for those you love?

With the Evil Empire in the saddle, life for future generations is bleak. If you allow Nursing Home Poverty to strike your family, who is going to help with your grandkids’ tuition? Bleak.

LifePlanning™ Is The Light Saber of Righteousness!

Luke Skywalker does not leave home without it. His light saber. LifePlanning™ is your light saber. LifePlanning™ is your arsenal to defeat Nursing Home Poverty. To preserve lifesavings. To stand up for Truth, Justice and the American Way! (That’s another hero…)

Still, you are not sure exactly what to do. As I see it, you have three options:

First Option: Same Old, Same Old

Look for an estate planning attorney. They still have Yellow Pages, don’t they? Research online. Ask your friends. Look at billboards on the highway. Call several and set up appointments. Go through the interviews. Ask questions, get fuzzy answers and pages of legal jargon. Work through that entire process to perhaps find yet another lawyer offering something similar to what you already have. Or maybe 4,5,6 lawyers offering the same old thing. Check out a few online internet services too! Sounds so easy… Then wind up back on square one. Still no peace of mind. No comprehensive plan. No security.

Second Option: Do Absolutely Nothing

Why does anyone plan their estate? Why bother spending all that time and money for a will or trust? Most people plan for peace of mind. Maybe you do not need that security. Stay exactly where you are. Getting exactly what you have always gotten. Acid indigestion. Insomnia. Migraines. Accept that what you have is as good as it gets. Suck it up, buttercup!

Third Option: Explore LifePlanning™

Give it a try. No need to give up your current plan. Just come to a LifePlanTM webinar or workshop. See what it is all about. What could you accomplish? Is it better than what you have now? Easy? Sixty minutes. At home. At one of our four locations. At your convenience. At your service!

Sure, the future is uncertain, but you are not helpless. LifePlanningTM means that your life’s work serves you. And your families or loved ones. LifePlanningTM never becomes obsolete.

Be The Hero, Save Your Universe
Get It Done In Twenty-One!

Luke was hibernating or something in 2020. A whole year of wasted opportunity. Darth Vader running rampant! Wake up… Take a stand. Be the hero! Use the Force…
Sixty minutes to personal control. Because you earned it. Avoid Nursing Home Poverty. Thousands of middle-class families have learned and use these techniques. Why not yours?

Got Questions? Get Answers!

GET ANSWERS NOW… THE CALL THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE…
COME TO AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP…
LIVESTREAM ON-LINE AND GET ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SERVE!
(800) 317-2812

Is a “Pinto” Plan “Good Enough” for Your Spouse and Family? For You?

Why Don’t You Deserve “Cadillac” Planning? Is the “Cadillac” Plan Too Good for Your Spouse? Your Family? Why?

Thousands of middle-class families have used LifePlanning™ to get the peace of mind that comes from loading your family into the safest, most comfortable vehicle possible. Without thorough planning you will spend yourself into Nursing Home Poverty. You get what they feel like giving. Not what you have earned. Not what you want. Not what you deserve. With a whimper, not a bang. Quieter than a flaming fireball of dramatic death, but just as devastating. To you. To your family.

Without LifePlanning™ , you are driving a Pinto.do not have good answers to the questions. No one has your back. Maybe things will work out. Maybe you will get home today. Maybe. Why not be sure?

LifePlanning™ preserves your lifesavings. You never go broke. Your earnings serve you throughout your lifetime. And that means…

You stay home. Longer. You get the help you need, that your spouse needs. Clear-eyed. Relevant. Participating in your own care.

LifePlanning™ is Estate Planning that Does Not Fail

You know that traditional “estate planning and elder law” approaches fail. Almost all the time. But we are resourceful. Traditional planning guarantees nursing home poverty. LifePlanning™ guarantees freedom and choice.

As you know, rich folks have it made. Poor folks get it for free. And we, the middle-class, foot the bill. Which is fine, I guess. Nothing new. Other people count on you. For your entire life. To actually do the job at work. Git-R-Done! Pay your taxes. Volunteer at church and the library. Pitch in for charity. Bring something home-made to the potluck. Smile and be agreeable. Go along and get along. Lend a hand. We are reasonable, cheerful, action oriented. We have a tough time understanding Debbie Downer and Gloomy Gus.

Saving Earnings is Not Greedy.

We are not greedy. All we ask is to keep some leftovers. Why am I Required to take a Minimum Distribution (and pay the income tax)? Grandkids need my help. Let me provide for my spouse… for myself. I want to pay a little bit forward. I worked for it, why can’t I do for me and mine? What is so wrong with that? Charity starts at home. Right?

Helping Family is Not Selfish.

We are not selfish. We understand that some people are unlucky. Bad things happen to good people. But we also recognize that some people are shortsighted. Some want the new boat/car/snowmobile/TV/cruise/whatever right now. Sacrificing future security for present pleasure. Some people are greedy and selfish. Some people do make bad decisions. And still, we will take care of them all. Fine. No problem.

They Are Trying To Hide The Elephant In The Room

Traditional planning rejects reality. It pretends that no one needs long-term care. Your estate planning attorney, financial advisor, insurance agent does not know or do not care that most people will use institutional care. Nursing Home. Assisted Living. Lifesavings are sacrificed first. Then the cottage. And so on. You are penalized for helping your grandkids. Dumping money at the casino is just fine. Hope you enjoyed scrimping and saving. Clipping coupons. Looking for sales. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

Funny thing about elephants. When you are in the same room, you cannot ignore them forever. Your “advisors” are trying. They throw a tablecloth over the long-term care elephant. And pretend it did not exist. But you can smell that elephant. You can hear it. And when the elephant does what elephants do, you will be covered in it.

You can try to ignore these issues. But when reality shows up, you are the one impoverished. You and your family are the ones to suffer.

We Just Want The Same Deal As The Unfortunate, The Greedy or The Selfish

Yank that tablecloth off the elephant. Look it in the eye. Face the facts. Long term care is a reality for most families. Long term care means spend-down. Financial ruin. When you are financially ruined, your tax dollars will pay for a basic level of care. That is Medicaid. All it costs is everything you have saved and built. And if they do not get your stuff while you are alive, Michigan is coming for it after you die. Through probate. Most states do not wait, but lien your stuff right now. When will Michigan decide to stop waiting? Nobody knows.

The Unfortunate, Greedy or Selfish do not have to spend down. Because they are Unfortunate or Greedy or Selfish, they do not have anything to spend down with…

LifePlanning™ gives you the same deal. Get the basic Medicaid level of care. Now. Without spend-down. Use your lifesavings to improve the basic level of care; to improve quality of life. Care for your spouse. Yourself. Maybe even a little something for the future.

You paid for Medicaid with every paycheck. Your tax dollars. You contributed. All we are asking for is the same rights as the folks who did not contribute. What’s so bad about that?

Your Current Plan Leads to Probate And Nursing Home Poverty. But Is LifePlanning™ Right For You? As I See It, You Have Three Options…

Right now, you currently have a plan that you are reasonably sure will not work. Won’t protect you, won’t protect your family. Maybe you have a traditional plan with a trust. From a lawyer, friend at church, downloaded from the computer. Maybe just a will. Maybe nothing at all. The documents are confusing. You are not confident that you know what they mean. For sure, there is no help if you or your spouse need long-term care. Your family has a date with probate court. Only question is “When?” Nursing home poverty looms in your future.

You have read about LifePlanning™ and you like what you have read. Still, you are not sure exactly what to do. As I see it, you have three options:

First Option: Same Old, Same Old

Look for an estate planning attorney. They still have Yellow Pages, don’t they? Research online. Ask your friends. Look at billboards on the highway. Call several and set up appointments. Go through the interviews. Ask questions, get fuzzy answers and pages of legal jargon. Work through that entire process to perhaps find yet another lawyer offering something similar to what you already have. Or maybe 4,5,6 lawyers offering the same old thing. Check out a few online internet services too! Sounds so easy… Then wind up back on square one. Still no peace of mind. No comprehensive plan. No security.

Second Option: Do Absolutely Nothing

Why does anyone plan their estate? Why bother spending all that time and money for a will or trust? Most people plan for peace of mind. Maybe you do not need that security. Stay exactly where you are. Getting exactly what you have always gotten. Acid indigestion. Insomnia. Migraines. Accept that what you have is as good as it gets. Suck it up, buttercup!

Third Option: Explore LifePlanning™

Give it a try. No need to give up your current plan. Just come to a LifePlan™ webinar or workshop. See what it is all about. What could you accomplish? Is it better than what you have now? Easy? Sixty minutes. At home. At one of our four locations. At your convenience. At your service!

Sure, the future is uncertain, but you are not helpless. LifePlanning™ means that your life’s work serves you. And your families or loved ones. LifePlanning™ never becomes obsolete.

Which Option Is Easiest For You?

Let’s see… Option 1: Track down a bunch of attorneys. Set appointments. Go to their offices. Get the third degree. Research their stuff. Try to pick… One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four…

Option 2: Sit Still and Take It!

Option 3: Sixty lively minutes of information you won’t hear anywhere else…

Which Option is easiest for you? Which is likely to help you on your path to security and peace of mind?

Why Not Get It Done In Twenty-One?

I fear 2020 was a year of wasted opportunity for regular families. Devastating. The good news is that 2021 is rebounding! More families planning than ever!

Get the information you want. In-person workshops and one-on-one meetings. Recorded and live-streaming webinars. Like you, we have never stopped serving. As you seek out new ways to accomplish your life’s work, we are on the same journey. By your side. Making the rules work for the people who play by the rules.

Sixty minutes to personal control. Because you earned it. Avoid Nursing Home Poverty. Thousands of middle-class families have learned and use these techniques. Why not yours?

Got Questions? Get Answers!

GET ANSWERS NOW… THE CALL THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE… COME TO AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP… LIVESTREAM ON-LINE AND GET ANSWERS TO YOUR PARTICULAR QUESTIONS
WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SERVE!

(800) 317-2812

Reverse Mortgage, Real Estate, and Medicaid

Answers to your questions
Note: Not Legal Advice!

Can I sell my Mother’s house as successor trustee of her trust. After she gets approved for Medicaid? My mother has dementia and I’ve been successor trustee for years. Her house is in a reverse mortgage and the only item in her trust. I will need to sell it, but how will that affect her Medicaid? Can I move the profits into an acct for her medical needs? A sitter or companion at the facility? After her death I’ll disburse what’s left to her heirs? Or will I have to sign the profits to [Medicaid] at sale?

You Must Sell The House… Or Be Foreclosed!

If Mother is out of the house for twelve (12) consecutive months the Reverse Mortgage Lender can foreclose and force a sale. Special COVID rules now delay foreclosure. And since COVID rules mutate faster than a foreign virus, call us for the latest updates. Or. You can sell the house and repay the Reverse Mortgage Lender. How much do you have to repay? Whichever is less of: 95% of the appraised value or whatever is owed on the reverse mortgage. You keep the leftover money. And since you only have to repay 95% of the appraised value, there will likely be leftovers. Which brings up another issue:

The Problem What To Do With The Leftover Money?

You must report the sale of Mother’s homestead. You have ten (10) days from the closing. Then you must tell Medicaid that the exempt homestead is gone. And that Mother has more money. More money than the $2000 Medicaid lets her keep! So next month, Mother’s Medicaid will end. And Mother will have to spend the homestead money until it is all gone. And then Mother may reapply for Medicaid. New Development: January 2021 spend-down rules prohibit Mother (or you) from spending this money to buy furniture or household goods.

Some Solutions And Strategies

NOTE #1: Your question involves reverse mortgage. However. These strategies can be used by any family considering homestead sale.

NOTE #2: Death is a factor in solving this situation. Money is another factor. Is that harsh or just clear-eyed planning? It seems insensitive to say that “Death is a Planning Opportunity”. Or to be concerned about money when a loved one is in need or dying. But going broke by ignoring reality? That’s worse than harsh or insensitive. Ignoring reality is stupid. And you cannot fix stupid. Let us remember: “Money is Choices.” Folks on Medicaid with money can pay for a private room. Or laundry service. Or a Certified Nursing Assistant. Your money that you earned can improve your quality of life in long term care. That is just the fact. And who knows? There might even be a few bucks left for the kids.

Easy, Easy, Easy! The Pooled Trust

1. Sell the house. Right now. As soon as you empty it of family heirlooms, keepsakes, bric-a-brac and your 3rd grade art projects that Mother has kept all these years.
2. Use a Charitable Pooled Trust.
-a. Deposit the sales proceeds in a pooled trust.
-b. A pooled trust is organized, created, and operated by a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit is the trustee.
-c. The nonprofit takes money from many folks on Medicaid and pools it all together. They then invest the pool of money.
-d. Each person putting money into the pool has a separate account.
-e. The Pooled Trust trustee spends Mother’s account money for Mother’s needs.
-f. No Age Limit!
-g. At Mother’s death, the nonprofit charity keeps the leftover money for its charitable purposes.
3. Upside/Downside
-a. Upside: Super Easy. Barely an inconvenience! Pooled Trust trustees tend to be understanding and generous spending Mother’s money on Mother.
-b. Downside: Nothing for the kids.

Easy, Easy! The Medicaid Payback Trust

Go to your friendly, neighborhood probate court. Get a court order creating a (d)(4)(A) Medicaid Payback Trust. Depending on the county, the local probate judge may have a well-established procedure for this.
1. Sell the house. Get the money.
2. Use the Medicaid Payback Trust.
-a. Deposit the sales proceeds into the Payback Trust account.
-b. You created the Payback Trust. You are the trustee.
-c. You spend the money for Mother’s needs.
-d. AGE LIMIT: Must be under 65 years old!!
-e. At Mother’s death, Medicaid gets the leftover money as payback.
3. Upside/Downside
-a. Upside: Still easy, although you need a lawyer. As trustee, you have complete control so long as you spend the money for Mother.
-b. Downside: Must account to probate court. Nothing for the kids.

Not So Easy – Delay, Delay, Delay! This Is Where It Gets Complicated!

Michigan allows the family to keep the homestead while Mother is on Medicaid. But the reverse mortgage company says sell, sell, sell… and pay us back.

Michigan also says, if the homestead goes through probate, Michigan gets the homestead money to pay back Medicaid. So we must plan to avoid probate. Why? So that Medicaid does not get all the homestead sale money.

And that is why we play to delay. The reverse mortgage company must give 12 months. And with COVID, it is longer. In those 12 months, Mother may need additional care or services. Or Mother may die.

While Mother Lives – Before The Sale

While Mother lives and the homestead is not yet sold how does Mother get additional services? The kids pay for the services. But! Whoever puts up the money gets a promissory note secured by the homestead. The generous kid gets paid back after the reverse mortgage company but before anyone else. We are using the homestead to leverage additional care for Mother.

Mother Still Lives – 12+ Months Later – Must Sell

If Mother survives. Now we must sell the homestead. Close on the sale. Reverse mortgage company gets paid. Generous kid gets paid. Leftovers go to Pooled Trust or Payback Trust.

Mother Dies Before Forced Sale Of Homestead

If Mother has died. Must sell homestead. Avoided probate with trust. Trustee sells homestead. Reverse mortgage company gets paid. Generous kid gets paid. Leftovers divided among all living kids or whomever else Mother chose as beneficiaries.

To Infinity!

Are there a bewildering number of choices, options, permutations, and possibilities? Darn tootin’! Confusing? Mebbe! Worth it? Yes, indeedy! By taking the trouble, you have insured that Mother gets the best care possible. You avoided Nursing Home Poverty. You enabled Mother to get a return on the years that she and Father invested. And there will (may) be leftovers for the kids.

If it was oh so very easy, everyone would be doing it. It is not easy. Which is why most fail. But not you, not your family.

And Beyond!

Applying for benefits does not mean Nursing Home Poverty or silly Spend Down. Learn how to preserve your loved one’s lifesavings, business, cottage, life insurance. Thousands of middle-class families have learned and use these techniques. Why not yours?

Got Questions? Get Answers!

GET ANSWERS NOW… THE CALL THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE…
COME TO A WORKSHOP… Live or Zoom Webinar… It is INTERACTIVE!

(800) 317-2812

Estate Planning in 2021

What Do Your Adult Children Talk About… When They Talk About You?

NOTICE: Do you dislike difficult discussions? Shy away from challenging topics? Would you rather not know? Are you content to retreat into irrelevance? Do you think your kids/friends/relatives are not thinking about “what to do” with you? If so, stop reading now OK. Still with us? Onward, then…

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas

We all have to go sometime, but why rush it? Do you wish to remain alert? Independent? Engaged? Aware? In charge? Should your choices matter? Do you refuse to let others decide “what to do” with you? Do you reject dependence?

Your adult children are over to visit. They are in the kitchen. Talking. Vigorously. Your choice of old movies? Meh. Your cable news channel? How can you watch that stuff?! Your political views? Best not to go there… And gee, you do not seem to be keeping this place as spick and span as usual…

No kids? Single? You are not exempt. Replay the scenario with your friends from church. Brothers or sisters. Nieces or nephews. Same-same.

So… lively discussion. Sounds important. You wander over. Sudden silence. Glances back and forth. Nervous ha-ha’s. Guilt? And now… Insipid small talk. Gee, it sure is cold/warm/wet/dry/cloudy for this time of year…

I am sure that before you showed up, they were talking about the Super Bowl. Or COVID. Maybe something insignificant or vaguely bizarre. Like the President. (Whichever one you choose).

You do not need hearing aids for the chirping birds. You need hearing aids so your family and friends will not think you are addled. And that is what they think. When you are a certain age. And when you do not reply promptly. Or if your answer is inappropriate. It is not dementia; it is hearing loss. Brought on by 30 years on the factory floor. Chain saws. Lawn mowers. In the Army, we called it “tankers’ ear”. Or maybe 47 years of listening to your spouse just wore your ear drums out.

The point is that at a certain age, everything looks like dementia if you are looking for dementia. Well-meaning folks. People who love and care for you. Good-hearted, kind, benevolent. They will roll you up in bubble wrap given half a chance. For your own good. Aren’t you glad they think it is for “your own good”?

You Might Just Be Suspected Of Dementia, If…

You like your grandkids. They like you. You taught little Jimmy how to whittle. Janey learned how to swim from you. And neither of them would be riding bikes if you had not stepped up…

But now… The parents do not “need” you to pick up the grandkids after school. There is daycare for that… Sleepovers are a thing of the past. No more whittling, swimming, bike riding or other such dangerous activities… Why not? What changed?

You have not changed. But their perception has. You are older. Confused. Not “with it”. Perception is reality. And reality bites.

And Now They Want To Have “The Talk”

Not the sex talk. The “you are not safe at home anymore, you are slipping a gear, don’t you think it would be easier in a senior community” talk. You know it is coming. You can see it a mile away. It is funny. The kids read a book like, “Mom, Dad…Can We Talk?: Helping Our Aging Parents with the Insight and Wisdom of Others,” by Dick Edwards. (Available on Amazon!) Now the kids think they are oh-so subtle.

There are many other similar books. And experts. And courses. And strategies. All crammed with handy hints. All designed to hide the “elephant in the room.” They toss a bedsheet over the elephant and expect that you will not notice. All because you cannot be trusted to deal with these issues. They think you cannot handle the truth. Seriously. They do think this.

They think they can kinda, sorta hide the real issue. Like covering an elephant with a bedsheet. Good luck with that! That old elephant is still doing all the things elephants do, bedsheet or not. You have been sniffing out their BS since they were born. These are same kids who thought you bought their shenanigans. Who thought you believed their late Saturday night excuses. Whoo boy!
But it is not all high-test malarkey. Dementia is real. Getting older happens. They do love you and they are concerned. But you can put their fears to rest. You can relieve their anxiety. Not for their sakes, but for your own. For your spouse.

Do not wait until your kid introduces you to their “friend from church” or the fellow who helped your in-laws’ parents. And God forbid that your children download some boilerplate forms from the Internet (Free! Free! Free!). And God further forbid that you sign that steaming pile of download destruction.

Be the hero. Answer the call. Take care of your business. If you do not, the younger ones around you will get the wrong idea. They will think you are “out of it.” Cannot handle your own affairs. Need “help.” That means going to probate court. Having you declared incompetent. Incapacitated. And they are in charge. Not you.

The elephant is in the room. That bedsheet is not hiding anything. Rip off the sheet. Stare that pachyderm in the eye. Just as you have done in so many other situations. Over decades. You have faced wars. Riots (real ones, not just fake news). Terrible economic times. Good times of prosperity. Grief. Joy. This is no great challenge for you; you can do this.

Jump! Or Be Pushed

You notice a problem with your tax return. An honest mistake, but significant, obvious. Should you wait for the IRS to come knocking on your door, demanding explanations, assessing more taxes? Or would it be better to file an amended return, fixing the problem?

You are the hero of your story. You get to choose how it unfolds. Why would you give that power to your kids or court-appointed strangers?

Do not wait until someone else wants to have “the talk.” Sit them down. Give them the talk. Point out that they have not protected your grandchildren appropriately. Put the shoe on the other foot! Show them that you have planned with wisdom and foresight. Who is the boss now? Whose decisions count?

Do not give them your legal documents (very bad idea!). But we have general information handouts for this very purpose. Reassure them that you have done the grownup thing. That you have followed through.

And REMIND them that they need to do the same. You are looking out for them. They should be looking out for those grandchildren. Change the conversation. Flip the story. Demonstrate your ability. Prove your capacity. Authentic. Real.

What Does Any Of This Have To Do With LifePlanning™?

Everything. Without planning you will spend yourself into Nursing Home Poverty. You get what they feel like giving. Not what you have earned. Not what you want. Not what you deserve.

Without LifePlanning™, you do not have good answers to the questions. No one has your back.
LifePlanning™ preserves your lifesavings. You never go broke. Your earnings serve you throughout your lifetime. And that means…

You stay home. Longer. You get the help you need, that your spouse needs. Clear-eyed. Relevant. Participating in your own care.

Does Quality Of Life Matter To You? We Wasted 2020. Get It Done In Twenty-One!

Last year, the number of regular folks planning their futures dropped. Significantly. Fewer people focused on planning ahead, LifePlanning™. I fear 2020 was a year of wasted opportunity for regular families. Devastating.

Get the information you want. In-person workshops and one-on-one meetings. Recorded and live-streaming webinars. Like you, we have never stopped serving. As you seek out new ways to accomplish your life’s work, we are on the same journey. By your side. Making the rules work for the people who play by the rules.

Sixty minutes to personal control. Now and as long as you wish. Because you earned it. Avoid Nursing Home Poverty. Thousands of middle-class families have learned and use these techniques. Why not yours?

Got Questions? Get Answers!

GET ANSWERS NOW… THE CALL THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE…
COME TO AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP…
ZOOM WEBINARS AND GET ANSWERS TO YOUR PARTICULAR QUESTIONS
WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SERVE!

Call (800) 317-2812

The Difference Between a Conservator and Guardian

There are actually two separate roles that should be named for minor children in an estate plan. The same person can be delineated for both roles but oftentimes parents decide to choose different people to perform these two disparate roles.

The conservator is the person who would manage your estate’s finances in the event you are no longer able to do so due to incapacitation or death. A child still struggling to grasp the intangible nature of monetary value won’t be able to manage a complex estate, including the variety of assets and potentially complex investment and financial vehicles it contains. The role of managing finances is also separate from day-to-day parenting duties, so it makes sense to view these as two separate responsibilities.

The guardian would be the party responsible for raising the children and caring for their physical wellbeing. In the event of your death or incapacitation this is the person who would assume the role of meeting your children’s day-to-day needs and ensuring their well-being and happiness until they become adults.

Choosing the Right Conservator and Guardian for Your Family

The conservator in charge of managing the financial aspects of your estate should ideally be someone you trust who has displayed an ability to act in a financially responsible manner. This person should be a person who has the bandwidth to take on this added burden to ensure they’re giving your estate, and in this scenario your children’s estate, the time and attention it deserves.

If you have close, trusted family or friends who are attorneys, accountants, financial planners or similar professionals with intimate knowledge of finances, those people may be excellent choices. These types of professionals are often busy, so it’s important to choose someone you believe will be able to give your children’s inherited estate adequate attention.

Just because someone is good with finances doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be a great parent.

What’s probably most important, from your perspective as a parent of minor children, is choosing a guardian who has the requisite compassion and temperament to raise children and shares the values you consider to be most important.

If you’re religious and want to make sure your children are raised in a household that practices the same denominational tenants you and your spouse practice, make sure
you’re choosing guardians accordingly.

Ideally, you’ll want to find a guardian who can take all your children, but if you have several or the person or persons you’re considering already have a large family of their own, it may not be a feasible burden to expect one person or family to carry. If you are in a situation where you need to choose multiple guardians, consider factors like geographic nearness to minimize sibling separation as much as possible, if that’s in your children’s best interest.

Money can be a factor as well. Although the guardian you’d choose may be able to use some of your estate’s money to pay for the many expenses of child rearing, having to raise extra children will likely hoist upon them additional financial burdens they don’t currently face. The family you choose should be financially stable and capable of shouldering those extra expenses.

A lot of these decisions come down to common sense. If you’re a conservative and want your children raised with the same values, you likely won’t want to choose progressive relatives, even if they are great parents. Likewise, if you have a kindhearted brother or sister who is great with kids but is always struggling with credit card debt and other financial issues, they may not be the best choice for conservator of the estate.

Also consider longevity and health. Your parents may have done a great job with you, but think about their age, mobility, energy and other factors when deciding whether the person you’re choosing will have the physical endurance necessary to raise your children to adulthood.

Before you put anything in writing it’s important to talk to the people you’re considering about conservatorship or guardianship. Although the scenario in which they may be called upon to take on these duties is hopefully highly unlikely, it’s still important to get the potential conservator’s or guardian’s confirmation and commitment prior to making it official.

Drafting Documents and Crafting Your Estate Plan

It’s important for your grandchildren and children to be protected should the unthinkable happen. If you have grandkids, ask their parents if your grandchildren are protected with the right legal documents. If not, have them give us a call (616) 361-8400.

What is Long-Term Care? Who Provides It?

Long-term care is the care you need if you can’t perform daily activities on your own for an extended period of time. There are a number of different ways that long-term care can be provided. 

Most long-term care involves assisting with basic personal needs rather than providing medical care. You are usually determined to need long-term care if you need help with two or more “activities of daily living” (such as bathing, dressing, eating, and going to the bathroom). Family members usually provide long-term care to start, but as an illness escalates paid care may become necessary. 

The following are the types of long-term care:

  • Home care from family member. The most basic form of long-term care is when a family member becomes the caregiver. It can involve simple tasks like buying groceries or more complicated ones like bathing and dressing. Sometimes family members can be paid for their work.
  • Home care aide. Home care aides provide companionship and socialization and assist with meal preparation, housecleaning, laundry, shopping, and errands. They are also called homemaker or chore aides.
  • Home health care aide. Health care aides provide personal care (bathing, grooming, etc.), assist with range-of-motion exercises, provide some medically-related care (empty colostomy bags, dress dry wounds, check blood pressure, etc.), and provide assistance with housekeeping and errands. They are often referred to as personal care assistants.
  • Adult day care. Adult day care allows family members to get a respite from caregiving. In general, there are three types of centers: those that focus on social interaction, those that focus on health care, and special Alzheimer’s care centers.  
  • Assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities are a housing option for people who can still live independently but who need some assistance. Depending on the facility, that assistance may include help with meal preparation, housekeeping, medication management, bathing, dressing, transportation and some nursing care. Residents usually live on their own, in small apartments. Despite the emphasis on independence, supportive services are available 24 hours a day in order to provide different levels of help with activities of daily living. The level of medical supervision depends on the facility.
  • Nursing home. Nursing homes are the highest level of long-term care. They provide 24-hour care to residents. Staff provide help with daily activities such as feeding, dressing, and bathing along with medical care and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Costs for care can vary widely, from a few hundred dollars a week to pay for coverage when family members are at work to $300,000 or more a year for around-the-clock home care or care in the most expensive nursing homes, perhaps with private aides hired on the side.

Long-term care costs, whether at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home, are paid primarily from three sources: out-of-pocket, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance. Medicare, the health insurance for people over age 65, only pays for up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care following a hospitalization, and only for so long as the patient is deemed to need skilled care. Medicaid also has options for long term care at home – the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and MI Choice Waiver.

Need help navigating this maze? The team at Carrier Law are happy to guide you!

At-Home Medicaid — Are You Eligible?

You know. Everyone knows. COVID Elder Plague facts are familiar. Well known. Nothing to argue about. Victims are overwhelmingly older. Most in long-term care facilities. Tragic, infuriating truth: nursing home residents are 70 times more likely to die of COVID. Government Policies, Executive Orders have been deadly.

Are COVID rates rising among the young? Not really. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consistently show 95% of COVID deaths among those over 50 years old. Surprised? Check it out: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#demographics

Even now, some state bureaucrats mishandle COVID vaccinations. Fatal delays for elders. The CDC initially showed Michigan’s vaccination rate among the worst. Hapless officials offered technical-sounding “dog ate my homework” type excuses. Weeks later, current CDC data shows Michigan still lags. See for yourself: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations Michigan elders are paying with their lives.

MEDICAID PROGRAM – Pace Expansion Is A Big Deal

Emergency, limited changes to the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (“PACE”). New opportunities for thousands of families. At-home care without more sacrifice. You can keep your lifesavings, cottage, farm, rental properties, business. No Poverty! By following the rules. Care services: free – fair return for what you paid in. Income: keep it. No co-pay, doughnut hole or other bamboozling malarkey.

We helped dozens secure at-home care for their loved ones. Belief: PACE saved many families from the deadly COVID virus stalking long-term care facilities.

“COVID-19 emergency rules are temporary. The benefits are permanent. When the emergency is over, these favorable rules will be gone.” Lifesaving benefits for a lifetime.

The special rules originally expired November 1, 2020. But were extended to April 1, 2021. Seemed like a long time, right? Unfortunately, the extra time is almost up. Like sands through the hourglass… Tick tock. One last chance for your family to get back a little of what you paid in. It is a big deal. And it is almost gone.

PACE itself is not going away. PACE will continue to provide quality of life to Middle-class Michigan. PACE has served us well since 1969. Not going nowhere. What is going away are the favorable eligibility rules that have saved so much for so many families. Soon it will be more expensive. More complex. More difficult. More challenging. What is your excuse to delay?

Threat To Middle Class Security

You are Middle-class Michigan. You have worked and saved. Since you were 10 years old. You and your spouse have a bit set aside. You are fine! But then…

You are caring for your loved one at home. You applied for help. Rejected! Too much income. Too much savings. A cottage, a business, a farm, stocks, bonds, IRA.

Your financial advisor, the accountant, your lawyer. All say the same thing: You must “spend down” all you have achieved. No help until you are broke.

Healthy Skepticism Or Deadly Doubt?

COVID emergency rules changed all that! Many more families can get the PACE benefits they earned. Yours included? Tragically, some refuse to believe it is possible. Healthy skepticism hardens into stubborn rejection. Everyone suffers. Clinging to the idea that it is “too good to be true” or “fake news”? Pitiful. Talk to folks who are uncertain and suspicious. Accurate information and proof beat unfounded fears every day. Fact: You do not have to accept nursing home poverty for yourself or your loved one.

Do You Or Your Loved One Qualify?

Answer Yes To 3 Questions:

  • 1. Need help with activities of daily life? Memory problems? Cognition issues? Daily oxygen therapy? Blindness? Dialysis? These are just a few of the many ways to qualify.
  • 2. Are you safe at home?
  • 3. 2021 Social security (gross) less than $2382? (Special strategies to reduce pension income.)

We can do the homework together. Most families benefit. Hugely. But it costs nothing to find out.

Get Answers Now: (800) 317-2812

What Are The Benefits?

What can PACE do for me? Why not find out? Your team is standing by. PACE is doctors, therapists, dieticians, nurses, physician assistants, administrators. All working together to provide your best solution. Want more detail? Call us.

PACE includes:
On-Site Physician/Medical Supervision; Nursing Care; Physical Therapy; Occupational Therapy; Recreational Therapy; Activities and Exercise; Breakfast, Lunch, Snack; Nutritional Counseling; Social Services; Dental Care; Audiology; Optometry; Podiatry; Women’s Services; Dentistry and Dentures; Optometry and Eyeglasses; Audiology and Hearing Aids; Podiatry, Diabetic Shoes and Orthotics; Cardiology; Rheumatology; Lab Tests; Radiology; X-Rays; Outpatient Surgery; Primary Care Physician: On call 24 hours a day, seven days a week; Physical and Occupational Therapy; Personal Care; Chore Services; Meal Preparation; Emergency Room Visits; Hospitalizations; Inpatient Specialist; Skilled Inpatient Rehabilitation; Transportation Services; Prescriptions; Over-the-Counter Medicines; Transportation; Respite Care and Caregiver Education; Wheelchairs; Walkers; Oxygen; Hospital Beds; Diabetic Testing Supplies; Adult Day Care.

No Poverty. No Handouts. No Waste.

Your team is united by 3 goals and 1 mission.
Goals:

  • 1. No Poverty. Your family will NOT go broke.
  • 2. No Handouts. You paid for these benefits with a lifetime of work and taxes. You earned this.
  • 3. No Waste. Your beneficiaries get whatever is left. For certain. No crazy fees. No probate.

Mission: We make the rules work for the folks who play by the rules.

How Much Time Do You Think You Have? Why Waste It?

Get the straight story. Your loved one is counting on you. Satisfy yourself that you have the right information. It is simple and free. Your Discovery meeting is just a couple days away. Looking forward to meeting you.

Every PACE case. Every Medicaid case. Every long-term case. Each case is exhaustively documented and thoroughly prepared. Each case is audited. Each case must be correct. There is no margin for error. “Close” is not good enough. “Almost” equals loss. We do not tolerate, cheer, or accept failure. Not an option. Because your family is on the line. Your life work is at stake. It must be done right. And that takes time.

GET ANSWERS NOW. (800) 317-2812

Will My Trust Avoid Probate?

You have stuff. Worked a lifetime to earn it. Did not fritter it away. Saved for the rainy day. Your stuff. You own it. You control it. Spend it. Save it. It is yours. No fuss, no muss. Easy.

And then. Stroke. Dementia. Disability. Death. Who is in control now? Not you! Then who? It used to be so easy. Now it is a big mess. When you make a mess, the answer is probate. Guardianship. Conservatorship. Estate Administration.What if you did not make a mess at all?

You Go To The Supermarket

You are toddling through Kroger (or Meijer or Super Walmart or Aldi or Spartan) with a double armload of groceries. You are in control. Put items down. Pick items up. No problem.
Then. Whoops! Slip and fall. Asparagus in the Air! Soaring Cereal! Bouncing Bread! Fettucine in Flight! You went from complete control to no control at all. Big mess. Cleanup on Aisle 3… Bring a mop…

Probate Court To The Rescue?

Probate Court is the janitor. Johnny-on-the-Spot to dispose of the debris. Your will? A mere scrap of paper fluttering among the groceries. Golly, I sure do hope the janitor finds that paper! And reads it. And follows it. Let us hope… and pray. That is probate.

How To Avoid Probate… Do Not Make A Mess!

Pretty simple. Do not make a mess. No mess? No job for the Probate Cleanup Crew. No probate.

Shopping Cart To The Rescue!

What if you had put all those groceries in a shopping cart? Then you slipped and fell? Wouldn’t the groceries stay in the cart? Voila! No mess. Nothing for janitor Probate Court to do!

Your Trust is a Shopping Cart

Your trust is a shopping cart. Put your house, money, insurance, business, cottage, and furniture (but not your IRA!) into your shopping cart/trust. Now comes death or disability. Slip and fall! But your stuff is safe in the trust! No mess. No probate. Whew!

Why Most Trusts, Including Yours, Will Fail

You have a beautiful, brand new shopping cart. But you did not put your stuff in it. It is empty! You are still carrying around all/most/some of your stuff. If (when) you slip and fall, that stuff is going to make a mess. And that means probate. And your lawyer put a memo in your trust binder that makes it clear: it is all YOUR fault.

I guess you should have read all 567 pages of legalese in that binder… Oh well. Now your kids will have to probate your estate. I wonder if there will be any attorney fees for that…

Everybody Else Knows. Your Trust Will Fail

Failure is a given. Your lawyer knows it. Your banker knows it. Your insurance rep knows it. Everybody knows that you will not put your stuff into the trust. And then the “pour-over will” must be probated. Did you know that? No? Hmmm, I guess not “everybody” knows your trust will fail. Probate is your destiny! Probate costs are your legacy!

Wake Up. Smell The Coffee. Face The Facts

You are not alone. According to one survey, only 4% of trusts are fully funded. That means 96% of trusts will fail when needed.

And even when you try to get your assets into your trust, you will often be misled. How many times have we seen financial advisors claim that accounts have been retitled when only the beneficiary designations were changed? All too common. Does your lawyer know what is going on? Why not ask? Why doesn’t your lawyer know?

The Answer: Talk Straight, Do The Work

You need a “funding coach” to help you through the hard work. Perseverance pays! We will help you stick with it. You spent good money to preserve your life choices and protect your legacy. Do not surrender with the finish line in sight. Why waste the effort you have already spent? Together we will make sure that you did not just throw lawyer fee money out the window. No sugar-coating. No excuses. Results for you and your family.

American Renaissance. Time To Move Ahead In 2021

Last year, the number of regular folks planning their futures dropped. Significantly. Could it be that you had other things on your mind? Riots, nightly violence, capricious decrees, flagrant hypocrisy, obvious media bias and obfuscation. It all takes a toll.

You, Middle-class Michigan, are the foundation for the future. Step by step. Inch by inch. You will pave the way back to normal. Let the chattering classes chatter. There is hard work to be done. And we are just the folks to do it. With integrity. Keeping our promises. Playing by the rules. No cheating. Focused. Undistracted.

Over the last year our Crisis Caseload skyrocketed. Special PACE rules mean more families than ever qualify for immediate help. We are proud to help Middle-class Michigan enjoy what they have earned.

Time Marches On: Do Not Waste Another Year

Last year fewer people focused on planning ahead, yet LifePlannine™ remains essential. Because you matter. Because your family counts. Because one lost year is too much.
The Carrier Team has been busier than ever, but I fear 2020 was a year of lost opportunity for thousands of regular Michigan families. I am extremely concerned.

Get the information you want. In-person workshops and one-on-one meetings. Recorded and live-streaming webinars. Like you, we have never stopped serving. As you seek out new ways to accomplish your life’s work, we are on the same journey. By your side. Making the rules work for the people who play by the rules.

Sixty Minutes to Security

Sixty minutes that to accelerate your success. An hour to put 2020 in the rear-view mirror. Avoid Nursing Home Poverty. Reject silly Spend Downs. Learn how to preserve your loved one’s lifesavings, business, cottage, life insurance. Thousands of middle-class families have learned and use these techniques. Why not yours?

Got Questions? Get Answers!

GET ANSWERS NOW… THE CALL THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE
COME TO A WORKSHOP! (800) 317-2812

Client Success Stories…

We were very happy with the information at the workshop on Estate Planning [LifePlan workshop]. Amanda was very helpful in explaining the options we could choose from to protect our assets from excessive taxes.

All questions were answered in depth and in a manner that was very understandable. I left feeling confident that we can contact them at any time for help navigating the system.

The staff are incredibly professional. My mother was treated with utmost respect. Her paperwork was organized and concise. I dealt with David and Jim and they spoke in terms my mother and I could understand.

I was totally lost when my husband’s dementia got bad. David and his group helped me feel in control again. They are there to help me whenever I need them. I should have done this sooner.

Perfect balance of pleasant and professional. Starting with workshops with targeted info, to chit chat with David (and all the staff we met) – great experience. Thank you!

My husband and I just returned from your workshop in Portage…We are so pleased we attended and came away with so much information and insight. The workshop was well organized, well presented and your staff was wonderful. Patrick made things fun, and as he promised, the time flew by. Thanks you again for 2 very well spent hours.

Donna & Stephanie are extremely professional, on top of everything, friendly and just a joy to work with. Very prompt on phone calls, emails, etc. I am very thankful for these two people!

We have been extremely pleased with the professional service of David and the staff. It has been a pleasure working with everyone to make sure our future is secure. David was also very helpful finding an out of state attorney to help our parent’s address their Elder law needs.

Our Promise: We do not share or sell your personal information. Privacy Policy.

“The Law Offices of David L. Carrier is an estate planning and elder law firm located in Western Michigan. Our main office is in Grand Rapids, and we have 3 other conveniently located offices in West Michigan. We specialize in medicaid crisis planning, estate planning, elder law, probate, wills and trusts.

Our Office Locations

Grand Rapids, MI

Norton Shores, MI

Holland, MI

Portage, MI

Practice Areas

Medicaid Crisis Lawyers

Estate Planning Lawyers

Elder Law Lawyers

Family Trust

Probate Lawyers

Trust Funding Center

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