[quote=pabloesqobar]. . . That presupposes that the decedent has a pile of money laying around – enough to satisfy that lien, which most don’t.
2. All they need to do is establish an Irrevocable Trust, which completely shields their entire estate from the Medi-Cal lien.
3. Their are other exemptions to the lien. . . [/quote]
pabloeqobar, I’ve been to those “trust seminars,” too. The “potential clients” seeking to establish an “irrevocable trust” must do so at least three years “pre-need,” I believe, meaning three years before making application for a nursing home or “board and care” facility using Medicare part B alone to satisfy the entire expense of long-term care. As a senior citizen and parent, it’s hard to:
(1) know exactly when (or if) you’re going to actually need care;
(2) know year by year whether you ACTUALLY WANT TO leave your irrevocable trust to a child whose financial problems were/are all self-created;
(3) and, gauge whether you actually want to move in with a child for assistance in your sunset years.
Surprisingly, many parents don’t even talk to their children about these things. This only becomes and issue after something like a debilitating stroke happens to a patient who hasn’t done any estate planning in this regard. Then they’re stuck because they have too many assets to qualify for intermediate care or board and care using Medicare Part B only (without the gov’t placing a lien on the individual).
The last paragraph (above) is (unfortunately) the most typical scenario.
[quote=pabloesquobar]My ex-girlfriend has been on Unemployment for 2 years. I’d be willing to bet that the 5 year limit for Welfare is likewise negotiable, depending on the circumstances. [/quote]
pablo, I too have a friend who is perfectly capable in her line of work but rec’d UI for two years. It just recently ran out and she really HAS been heavily seeking work. It’s just a sign of the times 🙁
A big problem with TANF recipients is child care. Many have three or more children (elem. school-age or younger). I don’t know how extensions of TANF are handled but I know the county heavily subsidizes after-school programs like DASH or the “6 to 6 program” for these kids if the custodial parent is in training for employment skills in an ROP program or comm. college. A huge hurdle remains if the county can’t collect any excess child support from the other parent to send to the custodial parent (over and above the TANF benefits).
