Medicaid Planning Lawyers in Clermont, FL
Serving Floridians in the Four Corners Area & Surrounding Communities
Long-term care costs can quickly deplete a family’s life savings. At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, we help clients protect their assets and access the care they need through strategic Medicaid planning.
Florida’s Medicaid program can cover nursing home care and other long-term services, but only for those who meet strict financial eligibility requirements. We aim to help you or your loved one qualify without sacrificing everything you have worked hard to build.
Consult a Clermont Medicaid planning attorney for guidance. Call The Law Offices of Justin Rickman at (888) 835-5840 or reach us online. Hablamos español.
What Is Medicaid Planning?
Medicaid planning involves legally restructuring your income and assets to qualify for long-term care benefits through Florida Medicaid.
While Medicare only covers short-term rehabilitation, Medicaid pays for long-term nursing home care. To qualify, applicants must have no more than $2,000 in countable assets and limited monthly income.
Monthly Income caps adjust annually. If income exceeds the annual limit, a qualified income trust (Miller Trust) may be used to gain eligibility.
How Medicaid Planning Works in Florida
Medicaid planning involves pre-planning (done years in advance) and crisis planning (when care is needed immediately).
Strategies may include:
- Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs): Irrevocable trusts that protect assets from being counted for Medicaid, provided they are created at least five years before applying.
- Asset conversion: Converting countable assets into exempt assets, such as a primary residence (up to $713,000 in equity in 2025), one vehicle, or prepaid funeral arrangements. These exempt asset caps change annually.
- Spousal protections: Florida allows the “community spouse” (the healthy spouse) to keep up to a specific amount in countable assets and a monthly income allowance; these allowances are meant to prevent impoverishment. They are adjusted annually.
- Spend-down techniques: Paying off debt, making home improvements, or purchasing exempt assets can reduce countable resources.
- Caregiver agreements and promissory notes: Legal tools to transfer funds in a way that complies with Medicaid’s rules while compensating family caregivers or loaning funds securely.
Timing is key. Florida enforces a five-year lookback period for asset transfers, meaning gifts or transfers made within five years of applying could trigger a penalty period of ineligibility.
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Protecting Your Assets While Qualifying for Care
Without proper planning, families often spend nearly all their assets before qualifying for Medicaid. The Law Offices of Justin Rickman helps clients protect their legacy by legally and ethically preserving wealth for spouses, children, or other beneficiaries.
Whether through trusts, transfers, or structured spend-downs, our Medicaid planning strategies aim to maximize benefits while minimizing financial loss.
Why Legal Guidance Is Essential
Florida’s Medicaid rules are complex and subject to change. Applying without a well-designed plan can result in costly mistakes, delayed approvals, or denial of benefits. Our Clermont attorneys stay current on regulations and guide clients through each step, from evaluating financial eligibility to preparing documentation and managing the application process.
Whether you are planning years in advance or facing an immediate need for nursing home care, we are here to help build a plan that protects your healthcare needs and financial future.
Call (888) 835-5840 to discuss your needs with a Clermont Medicaid planning attorney.
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