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CBPlemmons Asked July 2017

I had to open an estate for my grandmother for this workman's comp settlement. Will Medicaid claim still stand?

My grandmother died 7 years ago and Medicaid filed a claim against the estate. At that time she did not have anything to open an estate. Her husband died 4 years prior to her death. He was in a class action lawsuit for asbestos exposure contributing to his cancer. We are now in the settlement phase of the lawsuit. I have now had to open an estate for the grandmother for this workmans compensation settlement. Will Medicaid claim still stand?

GardenArtist Jul 2017
CB, do you have any idea whether your GF was listed as a party plaintiff only for himself, or was your GM named as his spouse? Also, was your GM his only heir or were their other heirs?

I ask b/c if your GM was his sole heir, she would theoretically inherit his share of a lawsuit judgment or settlement, but if he had other heirs, those heirs might be in line for a portion of that settlement and the funds wouldn't all be available to her. This would make a difference how much would be available to Medicaid, via your GM's inheritance.

However, I don't what federal or states laws might come into play for a lawsuit judgment or settlement for a deceased party plaintiff or plaintiffs, and how those statutes might affect a previously filed Medicaid claim.

Nor do I know if there's a statute of limitations on Medicaid claim collection.

I raise these issues so that you can be sure to discuss them with an attorney with probate experience. I get the sense that you already have, since you've opened up an estate for your GM.

This is a complex situation; could you be kind enough to post back when you have answers? I think that would help others who might eventually find themselves in similar situations.

Guestshopadmin Jul 2017
You need to consult a lawyer familiar with Medicaid and probate laws in your state and show him/her the paperwork the state filed at the time. This is a complicated question and really needs professional advice familiar with your state's laws.

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