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dml7874 Asked May 2018

Will our house be protected from Medicaid if my father in law needs to be placed in a nursing home?

My husband and I live in California. We bought the house with my father in law about 6-7 years ago (50/50), the last 2 years he's developed dementia and slowly getting worse. He lives with us and has a caregiver during the week. His doctor doesn't seem to think he's quite there yet in needing a POA. The house is in a living trust which becomes ours upon his passing. I can't seem to find an answer if the house would be considered an "asset" of his or if it might be subject to repayment to Medicaid after the fact. We are not there in him needing placement yet and he has a decent amount from retirement, but we want to be prepared because we think if he should need to be placed in a nursing home his retirement won't last long and I believe the next step would be in applying for Medicaid. Anyone have experience with this in California? I heard it can vary from state to state.

igloo572 May 2018
Is it a Life Estate or a Trust? How Medicaid looks at them depends on which legal structure and what CA law allows. Plus add in if it’s 5 years ago. Really review the document and write down your concerns & ? and schedule an appointment with the law firm that did it initially.

Either way I’d be somewhat concerned about if the 50% $$$ you & hubs contributed so your dad could buy the house could be considered your equity or a loan or if it would be considered a gift to your dad of all the 50% $ you & hubs paid. If it’s a LE and the $ you contributed is included in the overall figure to determine the remainderman interest (needed to get done so he can qualify for Medicaid), it’s going to cost you on your $ if it’s viewed as a gift. Clearly find out about this and if anything can be done now to clarify it’s not a gift. Good luck and let us know what happens. 

dml7874 May 2018
Hi Alfred, please correct me if I'm wrong as I know very little about living wills and trusts, but it was my understanding these are revokable while the grantor (my FIL) is alive and competent, but once he passes it becomes irrevocable. I will have to check the wording on the trust. Thank you!

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AlfredR May 2018
This is a difficult question to answer without knowing the details of the trust. If the trust is revocable, then your FIL's share may be considered an asset for Medicaid purposes. Any transfer to you or a different kind of trust at this point would be subject to the five year look-back period. Although, depending on his condition his level of income and his other assets, this may still be something to consider if you think he can stay at home now and handle private pay in a NH for the next five years.

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