The family home is not only where years of precious memories reside, and for many people it is their most valuable asset. It’s natural for parents to want to pass on that home, or its value, to their children or grandchildren. In most cases, that can be done with appropriate planning at the appropriate age, which is when people get up in years and have an increased risk of long term care. The following information outlines what the rules are and how they can protect that home, and other assets as well.

A recent letter to us from a Connecticut resident asked how to find a caring, responsible advocate to provide for her well-being in the later stages of life. A significant part of the answer is to retain a law firm that is part of the national Life Care Planning Law Firms Association. That is comprised of law firms dedicated to a holistic elder law practice “that offer legal resources to help elderly clients and their families respond to the challenges of aging, long term illness and disability. That kind of law firm has elder care coordinators (usually social workers) and lawyers and paralegals who know the Medicaid rules and Veteran Administration rules for homecare in Connecticut. The goal of the Life Care Planning Law Firm is first and foremost to do the planning and documents necessary to keep the elder person in the best living situation in the community, and not in a nursing home.

Sooner or later most people think about and talk about common concerns should they pass away. Below is a brief summary of some of those concerns.

A Trust is a tool you may consider creating as part of your estate planning. There are many reasons one may make sense for you. For example, if you want to delay someone’s inheritance, perhaps because there is a special needs situation, or you think the beneficiary should be at least 25 or 30 years of age, or older before being given their inheritance directly to make their own decisions (and perhaps mistakes). Perhaps you fear your child’s marriage may not last much longer. Those are typical reasons. However, a trust can also be used to simplify probate and/or for asset protection for you, not just the inheritance of others. That is less known, but very helpful. Trusts are a more common tool than you may realize!

Elder law encompasses many different categories of law. Most people think of Medicaid eligibility or estate planning, but it also includes durable powers of attorney that allow transfers of assets under the law. Along with that, it requires knowledge of HIPAA forms to allow family members to speak with your doctor, living wills so your chosen person can make medical decisions if you cannot, and living trusts that can be revocable or irrevocable. Other matters are Veterans Administration programs for care, social security and disability claims and the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders. And when all is said and done, probate and inheritance tax filings may be necessary.

Since falling is the single biggest reason we see as the cause for needing nursing home care, here are some thoughts on how to reduce that risk. It’s important for those kids in their 50’s and 60’s to keep a watch on mom or dad whose balance, eyesight, and physical mobility may be declining. Just this week former Senator Joe Lieberman died, reportedly from a fall at home that resulted in head injuries. This is something that all of us should consider is a serious safety risk.