Another Bad Place to Get Elder Law Advice
NBC’s Harry’s Law is about a big city trial law firm. Oscar winner Kathy Bates stars as Harriet “Harry” Korn, a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer turned trial lawyer. Christopher McDonald plays Tommy Jefferson, a flamboyant and cocky trial lawyer in the firm.
This week, Tommy represents an old friend who is divorcing her husband of 60 years so her husband can get the nursing home care he needs without bankrupting them both. When you have a loved one who needs nursing home care and how to pay for it is a really scary subject. You need help – expert help.
TV programs like Harry’s Law are NOT a good place to turn to. Neither are friends and neighbors, hairdressers, or even people who have a loved one in or work for a nursing home. Neither are general practice or trial lawyers. You’ve heard the expression, “jack of all trades, master of none.”
More than 60% of the people in U.S. nursing homes have their bills paid by Medicaid. Everyone who is 65 years old has a better than 40% probability of needing nursing home care at some point. There are a lot of myths about Medicaid and nursing home care. One thing about myths – they are all wrong. Toads don’t really cause warts and you don’t have to spend yourself into poverty before Medicaid will pay for your or your loved one’s nursing home care.
The Medicaid laws are complex. So are the Medicaid regulations (which vary from state to state). They change often and have pitfalls and penalties that can be devastating for those who make mistakes.
If time in a nursing home is on the horizon for you or a loved one, what you need is guidance from a lawyer who specializes in elder law. That’s what I do.
As a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, I know and understand the complex Medicaid laws and regulations. I help Texans and their families protect their heritage and themselves from poverty while making sure that they and their loved ones can get nursing home care when they need it.
Worried about how to pay for nursing home care? Call me at 512.330.9802 and make an appointment to talk about your concerns. I’ll be happy to sit down with you and discuss your unique situation. Mention this article and there’ll be no charge for that meeting.
Don’t put it off. Call now.