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Serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Free Phone Consult: 571-800-0678

The ABD Medicaid Application
Process Is Full of Traps for the Unwary

We will help guide you through the very technical process of applying for ABD Medicaid

Have you ever heard the phrase “pennywise and pound foolish?” It means being extremely careful about relatively small amounts of money at the expense of much larger amounts of money. Many seniors and their families don’t use a lawyer to plan for long-term care or ABD Medicaid, often because they’re afraid of the cost. An experienced elder law attorney can guide you through the very technical process of applying for ABD Medicaid, help you save money in the long run as well as make sure you are getting the best care for your loved one. In most cases, a skilled elder law lawyer will save a family many times the money they will spend in getting professional guidance to avoid delays or denials and secure the benefits of smart planning.

ABD Medicaid rules provide multiple opportunities for long-term care recipients to preserve assets for themselves, their spouses, children and grandchildren, especially those with special needs.

There are more opportunities for those who plan ahead, but even at the last minute, when an application is needed immediately, there are almost always steps still available to preserve some assets.  Here are a few reasons why the Legacy Elder Law Center can be the best solution for preparing, filing, and prosecuting your ABD Medicaid application.

No Conflict of Interest

When nursing homes offer to file an ABD Medicaid application or refer the families of residents to non-lawyers to assist in preparing the ABD Medicaid application, the preparer has dual loyalties, both to the facility who employs the preparer or provides the referrals and to the client applying for benefits. To the extent everyone wants the Medicaid application to be successful, there is no conflict of interest.

It is in the nursing home’s interest that the resident pay privately for as long as possible before going on Medicaid, while it is in the client’s best interest to protect assets for the resident’s care and for the resident’s spouse or family.  At the Legacy Elder Law Center, our experienced professionals have a duty of loyalty ONLY to the client, and we will do our best to achieve our client’s goals in every case.

Save Money

Nursing homes can cost as much as $16,000 a month in our area, so it is unusual for legal fees to prepare, file, and prosecute an ABD Medicaid application to exceed the cost of even one month of care in the facility. It is not difficult to save much more than this in long-term care and probate costs.

Specialized Knowledge and Deep Experience

A professional who works in any field on a daily basis over many years develops both the depth and breadth of experience and expertise to effectively advise clients on how they can achieve their goals, whether those are maintaining independence and dignity, preserving funds for children and grandchildren, or staying home rather than moving to assisted living or a nursing home. The Legacy Elder Law Center’s lawyers and other professionals not only have years of legal experience but the critical personal understanding that often makes all the difference in meeting a client’s objectives.  Less experienced advisers, however well-intentioned, can not know what they do not know.

Malpractice Insurance

You can expect that every professional at the Legacy Elder Law Center will provide outstanding service and representation. We back that pledge by carrying malpractice insurance.  This is probably not the case with other non-lawyer advisers in the Medicaid arena and is certainly not the case if a nursing home prepares your ABD Medicaid application.

Peace of Mind.

Knowing that every opportunity to protect your loved one and their life savings has been pursued will give you peace of mind and the ability to focus on what you do best; love and care for your loved one.  Rest easy knowing that you will not have to become an expert or dedicate precious time completing government forms, arguing the rules, or dealing with the social services case managers who are tasked with reviewing your application.  Not only have the professionals at the Legacy Elder Law Center successfully won ABD benefits for many years, they are probably well known to and have an excellent working relationship with the case manager who will handle your claim.

“They help good people through difficult times…”

Online Reviews

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Memberships & Associations

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Legacy Elder Law Center’s ability to listen to you, map out a financial strategy and follow through with expert planning and advocacy is invaluable in securing your family’s financial future no matter what event comes along down the road.

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Captain Tightpants
Very helpful and informative. Excellent and friendly staff as well!
Samuel Krislov
The Legacy Elder Law Center is just what we have been looking for: a place where people genuinely serve those who are elderly and protect them from the vagaries of old age and worry. Judy and i are both at ease as we go through the process of securing our needs and those of our loved ones. We recommend them highly. Their work is invaluable.
Spring Bartley
Legacy Elder Law Center has been exceptionally professional and understanding throughout my grief and loss and my legal worries
Alexis Guirand
Emily Wanchisn has been very helpful. I appreciate her time & directions on how I should proceed with my probate issues. I will follow through & keep her informed on the outcome so she can direct or redirect me accordingly. I am grateful for her legal knowledge. The Legal Elder Law Center is recommended to all requiring this type of assistance.
George VanTassel
Always professional and courteous. The team answers all of our questions despite our naïveté in this area of the law. I highly recommend Rory and Kathleen to handle these life changing decisions!
Daniel Villalobos
Answered all my questions and looking forward to work with yall
Beatrice Ashford
We were very pleased with the advice given to us in preparation of our trusts. Our lawyer, Kathy Limjocco, was very patient in answering all our questions.
john doee
Very helpful and understanding
Karen Tid
Emily is super and upbeat. I told of her the very hard issues of foreclosure and she gave me an assurance that it could be stopped. Since there is no money available until the 1st, she recommended a Free source. I called that number but unlike Legacy Elder Law Center, those phones aren't manned and no one ever called back.It's refreshing to have an upfront legal team who explained cost upfront. I recommend them highly. Your questions, calls, answers, and upfront expense are important and she addressed them quickly and amicably without judgement. Additionally called a day ahead of what I expected. She was sharp, fresh, and ready to go.Give them a call and trust their knowledge because I'd already done some research and she was spot on about the fees and their fee is fair. Great team!
Chris Johnson
Emily was very helpful and informative. She took a huge weight off my shoulders.
Marty Carpenter
I called the firm regarding some issues I was having with my father’s will. Eileen O’Leary went above and beyond to get me the answers I needed. I would highly recommend Legacy Elder Law Center.
Charles Price II
yo! these people are awesome! and Eliz is the best. Talk about being thorough, communicative, and wanting to put you in the best situation based upon where you are and where you are looking to go. I've been recommending them around to all my friends because I know how important this stuff is. And for them to offer the comprehensive help they do and aid to ensure you understand is well worth it!
Stephen A. Vaughan
Awesome Service
Kristy Howell
Was very helpful and knowledgeable and gave me alot of good advice on how to handle my father's estate and I was very happy with the help I received through just one phone call
Lisa Freire
This team has done nothing but work to help me. They have been confidantes, therapists, and obviously legal experts. They have taken a potentially disastrous situation and turned it around in a flash and explained all of my options at each stage of the process. I could not be happier with their work. We're not done yet and there are still some hurdles to jump but without them I really would be up the creek without a paddle.Thank you Leann, Rachael, Eliz, Rory and the rest for your patience, expertise, and kindness. Worth every penny.
Carol Haggerty
Our work with Kathleen was very enlightening and reassuring. She answered so many questions and eased our worries about securing our accounts for our children - all with grace and professional caring.
Vita Russotto
Ms. Elizabeth Clark was a pleasure to speak with. She made me feel like I Was right at home. I look forward to working with her.
robin boniface
Very good meeting! Rory handled all the questions my son had and was very patient. We are excited to execute the plan!
Tamara Fleming
I appreciate the support you all provided me after losing my mother, in January 2024. Your team gave the information that allowed for me to make a difficult decision based on what was in my best interest. You all were even kind of enough refund my retainer fee. Grateful for your service.- Douglas Fleming
Andy White
Professional, patient, and available to help us understand and use trust law to protect family assets while using Medicare to pay costs for institutionalization of one of us if needed. Kathy and Chandler were always available to answer questions to help with our execution of their very valuable legal strategy for elder care.
Emily Wanchisn
Handles things professionally and a pleasure to work with.
Edwin Allen
We greatly appreciate the assistance provided Liz with our elder care challenge. She responded quickly and provided excellent advice. Thank you!
Kurush Safikhani
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH !!!!!I had the pleasure of speaking to Emily Wanchisn. At the Legacy Elder Law Center. Emily was kind, compassionate, understanding, and informative. Just to name a few. She was willing to listen to everything I needed to tell her. And honestly, I realize now. I told her ridiculous intricate details. I am so sorry Emily. But, regardless. Emily kept a smile on her face and mine throughout. Even though, it's extremely hard for me to discuss this situation due to ALL my health problems. And, I also get very emotional. I somehow with her help, kept a balance and got it done with a smile. I was soooo much happier at the end of the meeting. She went out of her way to help me. In way more than one way. This entire experience was honestly emotionally uplifting. I am starting to feel better and think different. I did not think that any of this was possible!!! She knew everything!! LITERALLY!! There was nothing that I needed to know when I hung up. I have endless questions, ALWAYS!!So, my only question is.....................WHY HAVENT YOU CALLED THEM YET?
Pamela Finster
It has been my pleasure to know and work with Attorney RoryClark and the staff of The Legacy Elder Law Center for the past six years. They have assisted me with the complexity of helping my parents create their irrevocable trust. With Rory's expertise and guidance, the entire family feels that our parents' financial future is secure. My thanks to all for making this experience so easy and allaying our fears.
Corque Board
Great start looking forward to getting to work
Marie Bailey
Emily, was very helpful to me and took the time, to explain the path that I needed to take, in order to move ahead, with my issue. She gave me, some much needed, peace of mind. Thanks again.
Brian Burns
We received great advice on planning for the future and protecting assets by setting up a trust, will, and AMD. Loved working with Rory, Kathy and the whole team.
Lauren Penman-Garcia
Very helpful, knowledgeable and professional.
Tricia Devlin
Needed some questions about probate answered. Emily was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and kind with my situation over the phone. (Wow, I didn't even have to drive into town for a free consult) Don't hesitate to use their practice if you need this type of information. I know this is Emily's job, but she made me feel confident to proceed with my actions and if I could I would give her more than five stars for how she spoke and treated me. Excellent experience. Thank you Emily!
Gary Foster
Kath and others worked very professionally to help meet my expressed objectives and add other elements of fiscal security.I have shared my plan with my family members, who were able to understand it and any roles they may fill in its application. Top flight practice.
Rosalie Wallace
EMILY WAS TRULY VERY HELPFUL ON TIME PHONE CONSULTATION I AM GOING TO HIRE THEM FOR I BELIEVE THEY WILL BE FOR MY BEST INTERESTS LOOK AY THEIR REVIEWS VERY REMARKABLE
Adrienne M
Very informative and professional
Alan Whitt
They answered all of questions in detail.Very knowledgeable.
Laura Clancy
Rory's firm was recommended to me by another respected attorney. From the time I made the first phone call, I felt a huge sense of relief. With the firm's holistic approach, my loved one and I feel cared for and heard. The entire team works diligently to ensure that the very complicated subject of Elder Law is handled with the best outcome for their clients. In addition, with the launch of their Guide Wise Care, I know that I have an professional advocate on my side. I am grateful.
Brittain73
Just had a free consultation call with them. They were incredibly thorough in the initial call and covered all of my concerns. Highly recommend using them, also were very straightforward on pricing which was a relief!
Joe
They are an honest and reputable organization. I would recommend them to anyone that needs probate services in Virginia. They will look into every detail and give you an honest response to your questions. Racheal was awesome. Call them if you need their services.
Barbara McMillan
Very helpful and informative!
Carmela Hutto-Kirby
Emily , shared from her heart , she was deeply concerned and invested in my situation. Listening with true compassion the advice she gave me was not to get me as a client but to help me to have peace , to move on to the next step .I just lost my Step mom have a brother trying to take advantage of the money in the trust.She was invested in our time together. Thankyou for her need more people like her in this selfish world ❤️
Jet Lobster007
It was very enlightening.
Ashley Funk
Legacy Law was incredible and I look forward to working with them in the future!
Carlton Conley
My consultation with Emily was very pleasant and informative. We look forward to working with her.
reginald melvin
Extremely professional and knowledgeable! Listened to my needs and provided very efficient and effective counsel!!!
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