Financial info, who are we accountable to?

You do not have to undo it, especially if you do not apply her for long term care (nursing home) Medicaid. It sounds like she has Medicare with community Medicaid because her income is below the State threshold, so Medicaid picks up Medical costs that Medicare doesn't cover. That's fine, and there is no lookback required for eligibility, it is based on income. If she had to go to nursing home, you would have to apply for LTC Medicaid which is different from the Medicaid she has now. For that, the state will lookback at her bank records up to 5 years. What they are looking for is large transfers of assets (property, large bank withdrawals). For example if suddenly $30,000 was withdrawn or a bank draft for similar amount was written to you or someone else, the State Medicaid office is going to investigate, want to know why and possibly penalize or deny her application for LTC Medicaid. On the other hand, if her bank account remains relatively stable over the 5 year period with regular withdrawals it can be surmised the money is going to normal household expenses. I was in a similar situation as you, and was completely ignorant of these things until the stuff hit the fan, was worried, but ultimately there was no problem at all. My LO needed LTC Medicaid, and was approved, even though we shared the same household and expenses and resourced both of our incomes. I don't believe you have anything to worry about, even if she will need LTC Medicaid in the future. HOWEVER, according to the social security laws (and I didn't know this until I discovered this site and my situation was approaching crisis mode), you are supposed to be made rep payee if you are handling mom's money. Whether there are SS police out there enforcing this, I don't know, but you may want to try to play by the rules if you can.

Doesn't she need to reapply for Medicaid every year? My MIL did, at least for the first few years she was on it. If The main reason to not co-mingle funds in your case would be to make sure she continues to qualify for Medicaid. I'm in a similar situation as you (except my mom's not a Medicaid recipient) and I have my name jointly on her checking account because I'm her PoA and need to manage it and I just make sure any movement of monies between her account and mine are well documented and nothing looks like gifting.

Holdin, you may want to start now to untangle things. There is a lookback of 5 years (most states, 2 1/2 in my state) and that would be needed for medicaid in an institution. I admire that you intend to keep your Mom with you; problem with that is that we cannot know our own destiny; for instance, we can simply walk out in front of the bus tomorrow. Unlike to be certain, but must be taken into account. Were I you I would call medicaid (same phone number as medicare to start, and rules vary state to state as a joint program of medicare and medicaid, state and federally joined). Explain to them where you are with all of this, and ask what you should do about it. 1-800-medicare. Wishing you good luck and would love an update on what they tell you. Seeing a lawyer now, you can begin to get it separated, and that gives you 2 1/2 or 5 years to get through avoiding all fast moving buses! Best out to you.

So, to clarify, you're referring to your mom's estate after she passes. Are you the executor? Whether or not she created a will, her estate will be reviewed in probate. I believe the process just goes faster if there's a will. In your situation there doesn't seem to be anyone who will "contest" anything or come forward. I'm not an estate attorney but I don't think anyone will be looking into the inheritance. If she dies with no debt, and you are the executor and beneficiary of her assets, then I *think* you're good to go. Depending on the inheritance amount, even Uncle Sam will leave you alone.

Yes, if she is on Medicaid they require a bank statement every year. If you co-mingle, how do they know what expenses are yours and what are hers. You should be her Payee for SS. Its suppose to go to an acct for her only.

My nephew is on Medicaid. I supply his checking acct, his savings acct and his Special Needs acct. My name is on all 3 but they are his accts.

You have cleared up your question.

I am with Alva here. No one will question if ur an only child. Does Mom have a Will and you Executor? If not, you will go to Probate and become her Administrator. This will give you the ability to get to her financial stuff, like accts, IRAs, stocks, CDs etc. You can get info on her debts and pay them off. But as the Administer, since there is no will, the State will determine who is the beneficiary which as an only child will be you.

I still don't understand how you do the yearly renewal for Medicaid if Moms money is in the same account as yours? Doesn't your state require a bank statement.

Depends on what your states medicaid recovery laws are ,if she owns her own home or not, and as long as she needs nothing assistance Wise then you all should be good. I hope this is helpful.enjoy the best times that you have with your mother....