Juneau Elder Law & Medicaid | 49th Estate Planning

Elder Law and Medicaid Planning in Alaska

Secure Your Care, Protect Your Assets

Whether for yourself or your aging parents, at 49th Estate Planning, we can help you plan for the financial, medical, and legal challenges that come with growing older. We can help you develop a comprehensive plan to ensure your wishes and preferences are honored in the future, along with protecting you and your assets if you become incapacitated and require assisted-living or nursing-home care.

Who Needs Long-Term Care Planning?

At 49th Estate Planning, we help you plan for the financial, medical, and legal challenges that come with aging. Whether for yourself or your aging parents, our comprehensive planning services ensure your wishes are honored and your assets are protected, even if you become incapacitated and need assisted-living or nursing-home care.

With life expectancies at an all-time high, more seniors will need long-term care, whether in-home assistance or nursing home stays. However, long-term care costs are rising rapidly, and most private health insurance plans and Medicare don’t cover these expenses.

Average costs: Long-term care can cost between $6,000 and $45,000+ per month.

The financial risk: Studies show nearly two-thirds of families will run out of money within the first year or two of nursing home care.

How Elder Law and Medicaid Attorneys Can Help

The rising cost of long-term care is creating an elder-care crisis, with many seniors seeing their life savings wiped out. With the right planning, you can:

Stay at home longer: We’ll help you create a plan to stay in your home for as long as you wish.

Cover care expenses: We help ensure you can afford the care you need, when you need it.

Qualify for Medicaid: We assist in qualifying for Medicaid and other benefits to help pay for long-term care. Using trusts and other asset protection strategies, we can help you qualify for benefits without draining your savings. At 49th Estate Planning, we’ll guide you in creating a comprehensive plan that ensures financial security in your golden years.

Planning ahead is the best option; but if you are facing long term care costs now, don’t hesitate to call to learn how you may be able to protect some of your financial resources, or for someone to help guide you through the process.

Additional Elder Law Considerations
Elder law is closely connected to traditional estate planning. It’s crucial to have documents like durable powers of attorney, wills, living trusts, and advance directives properly reviewed. If not structured correctly, these documents can cause complications.

We can assist with:

- Preparing, reviewing, or updating your estate planning documents with an eye towards later-in-life considerations.
- Helping you plan ahead to protect resources in the event you need long term care in the future.
- Analyzing your options to ‘spend down’ or protect assets to qualify for Medicaid.
- Creating a Miller’s Trust or Qualified Income Trust if your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid.

How it Works

Our estate planning process is designed to be simple, transparent, and stress-free, with a flat fee structure so you don’t have to worry about extra charges for quick calls or additional time.

Initial Call & Planning Session

Many clients first connect with us by scheduling a quick 15-minute call with our intake coordinator. It’s a chance to share some basic information and get a feel for how we work. From there, we’ll help you book a 2-hour Planning Session with one of our attorneys—typically scheduled about three weeks out.

Personalized Plan & Design

During your Planning Session, we’ll walk through a detailed inventory of your family, assets, and what matters most to you. Together with your attorney, you’ll design a personalized estate plan that fits your life and goals. Within a week, you’ll receive a clear overview of the design, and about five weeks later, you’ll finalize everything by signing your completed plan.

Trust Funding and Long-Term Care

Once your plan is in place, we’ll help you transfer assets into the trust— easier for you than your kids. After trust funding, we’ll deliver your binder, giving you peace of mind. Plus, you can join our Family Care Program to keep your plan up to date.

Testimonials

“Liz Smith and her team gave us peace of mind that we have our end-of-life plans in place. We were able to accomplish all business virtually and recommend their professional, knowledgeable services to our friends in Southeast Alaska.”

— MM

“Liz and everyone in your office was courteous and great to work with. I would definitely recommend you to anyone considering estate planning.”

— Mike and Laurie Sica

— B and T Suson

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is estate planning?

Estate planning is the process of arranging for the management and distribution of your assets after your death or in case you become incapacitated. It includes creating legal documents like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.

Do I really need a will or trust?

If you have assets, children, or loved ones you want to protect, a will or trust is essential to ensure your wishes are followed. A trust can help avoid probate and may provide greater control over how your assets are distributed.

What’s the difference between a will and a trust?

A will outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death, while a trust allows you to transfer assets during your lifetime, manage them, and avoid the probate process. A trust can also include provisions for asset management if you become incapacitated.

What is probate?

Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone passes away to ensure their assets are distributed according to their will—or by state law if there’s no will. It typically involves proving the validity of the will, appointing an executor or personal representative, identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what’s left to heirs. In Alaska, probate can be time-consuming and costly if not planned for, which is why many families choose to create a trust to help avoid it altogether.

What happens if I don’t have an estate plan?

If you don’t have a will or trust, your assets will be distributed according to state law, which may not align with your wishes. If you have minor children, the state will determine guardianship, which could result in an outcome that doesn’t reflect your preferences.

How can I protect my family’s future with estate planning?

Estate planning ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, and that your loved ones are cared for. It also provides for guardianship of minor children, and can include healthcare directives and powers of attorney to protect your interests in case of incapacity.

When should I update my estate plan?

It’s important to review and update your estate plan after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the acquisition of new assets. Regular reviews help ensure your plan reflects your current situation and wishes.

What are the costs of estate planning?

Estate planning costs vary depending on your situation and the type of plan you wish to set up. Our plans provide a comprehensive foundation at a flat-fee that will be agreed upon ahead of time before we get started. Those fees range from 3k-17K+. This includes more than just your foundational legal document like a Will or a Trust. Contact us today to learn more about what our services include.

What is a healthcare directive?

A healthcare directive, also known as a living will, specifies your medical wishes in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions. It may also appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.

What is a durable power of attorney?

A durable power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial affairs in case you become incapacitated. Unlike a regular power of attorney, a durable one remains effective even if you are unable to make decisions.

Can I change my estate plan later?

Yes, estate plans can be updated or changed as your life circumstances evolve. It’s recommended to review your plan periodically to ensure it remains aligned with your wishes.

Get in Touch

We’re here to help you create a plan that brings peace of mind and protects your loved ones. Whether you’re just starting your estate planning journey or need help refining an existing plan, we’re ready to assist.

If you would like to schedule a call at a time that works for you, click the button below or fill out the form. We’ll get back to you shortly.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (907) 312-5436

Address: Jordan Creek Center
8800 Glacier Hwy, Suite 222
Juneau, AK 99801.

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Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your own individual situation. No attorney-client relationship is intended or formed by viewing this website, downloading and using the contents, forms, tips or information found on this website. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters, and email. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Client testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.