Join us for a FREE upcoming in-person or online event!

Elder Law & Estate Planning | St. Clairsville, OH | Call 740-653-3450

Have questions or want to schedule an appointment? Call (740) 660-6069

Asset Protection In Blacklick

It’s a myth that asset protection only benefits the rich and famous. Both wealthy and middle-class individuals can leverage these strategies effectively. They help secure assets for retirement and ensure smooth property transfer to beneficiaries. This becomes particularly important in later years when health issues may arise. Recognizing that healthcare costs, notably long-term care expenses, can significantly impact retirement savings, elder care lawyers work with middle-class families on asset protection planning. Asset protection planning helps preserve financial stability and reduces concerns about potential financial ruin due to health problems.

While the tools and strategies are complex, our attorneys make the process a smooth and easy one for our clients. Everyone deserves the peace of mind of knowing their future is secure. This is a complicated legal process, so contact a Blacklick asset protection attorney from Jarvis Law Office. We can review your situation and develop the ideal asset protection plan for you.

Why Asset Protection Matters

In elder law, asset protection is paramount for ensuring seniors’ financial well-being throughout retirement. This practice implements diverse strategies to shield assets from creditors, court decisions, and the high costs of long-term care. Protection techniques may include establishing trusts, forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), utilizing annuities, employing gifting strategies, and other specialized planning approaches. The team at Jarvis Law is well-versed in the obstacles seniors face when protecting their lifetime savings and is committed to offering superior solutions. Our comprehensive asset protection services are designed to provide exceptional advice and guidance customized to your unique requirements.

Contact an Asset Protection Attorney Today

In asset protection, being proactive is essential. An asset protection lawyer can evaluate potential risks and develop strategies to defend your assets. If you own substantial property, hold high-value investments, or run a business, it’s advisable to seek an asset protection attorney’s counsel without delay. They will provide legal guidance on structuring your investments and assets to guard against possible creditors and lawsuits. Moreover, they can assist in creating trusts or other legal structures to secure your wealth for future generations. Given the complexity of state-specific asset protection laws, a knowledgeable asset protection lawyer at Jarvis Law can guide you through these intricate legal requirements.

Asset Protection Strategies

Our Blacklick asset protection attorneys utilize various strategies to assist clients. These strategies protect our clients by:

  • Preserving your life savings from the catastrophic cost of long-term care by Preventing or Reducing a Medicaid Spend Down
  • Protecting your home from a Medicaid Lien
  • Making sure you and your spouse have enough income and savings to last the rest of your lives
  • Creating a plan for the future that ensures a seamless transition to your chosen individual(s) that is smooth and easy
  • Making sure you are never a burden on your spouse or children

Important Facts About Long-Term Care Planning In Blacklick

In 2022, we observed a marked surge in the cost of long-term care services in Blacklick and throughout the nation. This substantial increase hasn’t abated, which means that even individuals with long-term care policies may need to consider additional strategies to manage the rising rates for home care, assisted living, and nursing home care.
A majority of our clients in Blacklilck prefer to receive any necessary assistance in their own homes. Fortunately, Ohio offers a program under the Medicaid umbrella that can help families manage these care costs. This is particularly valuable as this sector has seen one of the most dramatic cost increases, primarily due to workforce reductions in recent years. Previously, a month of 24/7 home care cost around $16,000. Recently, our Blacklick clients have reported receiving service quotes in the $21,000-$24,000 per month range. With such steep costs, most families we work with would struggle to sustain this level of care for a significant duration.
In recent times, nursing home and assisted living center rates have also jumped significantly. A local Blacklick nursing home that was previously charging $9,000 a month for care recently quoted $14,000 for that same care. Several other care centers in the area have implemented similar increases in their rates. These businesses are having trouble keeping staff, and their expenses have risen due to inflation.
This has created an environment where those needing care and assistance have to use a larger amount from their savings than they had ever planned to. All of this is leading to concern that seniors won’t be able to afford the care and support services that they need.
But there is hope. Blacklick seniors can access tools and strategies to make their savings last longer by working with a Jarvis Law Office elder care attorney who can leverage their assets and strategize adequate safeguards for them.

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts

Ohio’s legal framework allows for the implementation of effective asset protection tools, including asset protection trusts. This rarely utilized and often misunderstood instrument is crucial in a holistic approach to defend assets against Medicaid spend-down, specific creditors, and legal claims. These trusts have been at residents’ disposal for several decades. A proficient asset protection or elder care attorney can leverage this hybrid irrevocable trust to guard your assets against the very tangible risks outlined earlier. Additionally, as a hybrid trust, it enables you to retain control over your trust assets. You can designate your children and grandchildren as beneficiaries, incorporating safeguards against life’s unpredictabilities such as divorce, bankruptcy, disability, lawsuits, and poor decision-making. This adaptability clarifies why this option is popular among Blacklick, Ohio residents seeking to protect their assets.
There are some caveats to keep in mind. We still have to keep an eye on the five-year lookback with Medicaid if we are hoping to utilize that option to supplement the high cost of care in the years ahead. Sometimes families come to us, and they don’t have five years available until their loved one needs care. That’s okay too. These tools can be combined with other strategies to preserve a significant amount of what would otherwise be lost. The more time the elder care attorney has to work with you, the more likely they will be able to protect your assets. Also, creditors have 18 months to bring claims against the assets in the trust. Once that time passes, your assets will be protected.

Protecting Assets With Insurance

Your Blacklick asset protection attorney can also advise you on purchasing umbrella insurance policies. These policies can shield you against liability, even if you’re involved in a lawsuit. You can often buy the policy you need through your homeowner’s insurance company. However, consult with your attorney to ensure it provides the asset protection you need before making a purchase.

Jointly Held Accounts

Did you know that money in jointly held accounts is at risk? For example, if you share an account with a child who gets divorced, the money could be seized. Your Blacklick asset protection attorney will review your jointly-held accounts and assets and recommend legal strategies to protect those assets.

Asset Protection Lawyer Blacklick Ohio
Your Ohio Business Succession Planning Lawyer
Your Ohio Business Succession Planning Lawyer

Why Choose Jarvis Law Office?

Contact Us | Jarvis Law Office, Ohio | Call 740-653-3450

Contact Us

Contact Us Today For a Complementary Consultation

Contact Us

*Required Fields

By ticking the consent above and clicking “Contact Us Today”, I consent to join the email list and receive SMS from Jarvis Law Office. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. More details on this are in our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Text “HELP” for help or contact us at 740-746-1260. Text “STOP” to cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asset protection services are legal strategies aimed at safeguarding the assets of elderly individuals from potential risks, such as lawsuits, creditors, or excessive taxation. Individuals may face increased vulnerability to financial exploitation, nursing home costs, or legal disputes as they age. Asset protection helps shield their personal property and wealth, ensuring their long-term financial goals are not compromised.

Asset protection law encompasses various legal options and tools tailored to protect the elderly’s assets. For example Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs) are commonly used tools that allow individuals to transfer assets into a trust while retaining some control while enjoying protection from creditors. Offshore asset protection trusts are another option, providing additional layers of security. Understanding the nuances of asset protection law is crucial to making informed decisions about protecting assets.
While financial advisors play a valuable role in managing investments and financial planning, consulting an attorney knowledgeable in elder law and estate planning is essential for asset protection services. Our asset protection planning attorneys have a deep understanding of asset protection law, ensuring comprehensive and individualized strategies. They can help you navigate legal complexities, develop a personalized asset protection plan, and coordinate with other professionals, such as financial advisors, to align your estate plan with your long-term financial goals.
Transferring assets is one strategy employed in asset protection, but it is not the sole solution. Asset protection services encompass a range of legal tools and techniques that suit different circumstances. Transfers may involve creating trusts, changing ownership structures, or utilizing legal exemptions. The effectiveness of transferring personal assets depends on various factors, including the timing and purpose of the transfer. Consulting an experienced Ohio asset protection attorney can help you determine the most suitable asset protection strategies for your specific situation.

Elderly individuals, especially those who possess significant personal property or are considered high-risk due to potential legal issues or creditor claims, should consider asset protection services as part of their overall estate plan. It’s advisable to seek asset protection early, as some legal options may have time limitations or be less effective once legal proceedings or claims have begun. By proactively engaging in asset protection planning, elderly individuals can better safeguard their wealth and achieve peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones.

Please note that the information provided here is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice. It is recommended that you consult with an attorney from Jarvis Law Office to obtain personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.

Professional Associations

Contact Us | Jarvis Law Office, Ohio | Call 740-653-3450

Recent Blog Posts