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sherriej2 Asked June 2012

Will I need to sell my mothers stuff if it becomes a permanent situation?

mom has broke hip and doctors have decided she needs 24 hr care. She lives in an older singlewide trailer which is in both of our names. Also has an older car in both of our names. She has medicare and medicaid. Will I need to sell her stuff if it becomes a permanent situation?

EXPERT Carol Bradley Bursack, CDSGF Jun 2012
Probably not, since she's already been on Medicaid. If you've lived together and you've care for her for two years or more, that should make a difference. Much depends on the state where you live, but I think you should be okay. Check with the Medicaid social worker if there are questions. Good luck,
Carol

igloo572 Jun 2012
Carol is spot-on in her answer.

One thing to consider is IF you are not living in the trailer OR not actively using the car, can you afford to pay for any and all expenses related to the car & trailer?

Keep in mind that when they go into NH, the Medicaid rules are such that ALL of their monthly income (like their SS check and any other retirement or annuity) MUST be paid to the NH except for the small amount that is her states "personal needs allowance". My mom is in Texas and her allowance is $ 60.00 per month and that is designed for her to use for stuff like hairdressers, clothing, magazines, candy or whatever else she wants to spend it on. Some states have the allowance at a low rate - like $ 35.00. If my mom had to pay for all the expenses on her empty and exempt as an Medicaid asset home (like taxes, insurance, lawn care, repairs, etc.), she could not do that. So I and another family member pay for all and upon her death will file a claim against her estate for those costs. For us, this works (so far!) but if you are on a very very tight budget maintaining your mom's trailer and car may not be feasible and you find you have to sell them if you are not living there or using the car. The registration & ownership on cars, homes, trailers, etc is recorded by the state so eventually the Medicaid program will know just how much $$ was paid and expects whatever the amount that takes her over 2K in assets to be paid to the NH at her share of ownership (like 50%). It's something to consider and evaluate. Good luck.

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