Clark Peshkin
Medicaid Planning in Rochester
Planning for long-term nursing home care can be one of the most important — and overwhelming — decisions you and your family face as you age. The rising costs of nursing homes in New York can quickly deplete a lifetime of savings. Without careful planning, you may be forced to spend down your hard-earned assets before qualifying for the joint state and federal Medicaid program to cover nursing home costs. Our experienced Medicaid planning attorneys in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse are here to help you protect your assets while ensuring you or your loved one can access essential care.
Why Choose Clark Peshkin for Medicaid Planning?
Navigating the complexities of Medicaid planning requires in-depth legal knowledge, strategic planning, and a commitment to protecting your financial future. Our team offers:
- Comprehensive Experience: We have successfully guided countless clients in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and beyond through the Medicaid planning process, protecting millions of dollars in family assets.
- Customized Solutions: Our Medicaid planning strategies are carefully tailored to your unique financial situation, whether you are planning years in advance or facing an urgent need for care.
- Full-Service Estate Planning: Beyond Medicaid planning, we provide a wide range of related services, including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Advance Directives, ensuring your complete estate plan is in place.
- Local Expertise: With offices in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, NY, we have extensive experience with New York Medicaid regulations and can provide convenient, local support wherever you are in Upstate New York.
What Is Medicaid Planning?
Medicaid planning is the legal and financial process of arranging your assets and income to meet New York Medicaid’s strict eligibility requirements without unnecessarily spending down your estate. It allows you to access long-term care benefits without losing your home, savings, or legacy.
Key Elements of Medicaid Planning:
- Income Limits: Strict monthly income thresholds must be met.
- Asset Limits: Applicants must meet strict limits on countable assets, which vary depending on marital status, program type, and current state guidelines.
- Transfer Rules: Gifting or transferring assets within five years of applying (the “look-back” period) may result in penalties or delays in eligibility.
Our Medicaid planning attorneys in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse can help you legally structure your finances to meet these criteria, protecting your home, savings, and legacy.
What the Medicaid Planning Process Looks Like in New York
1. Initial Consultation & Financial Review
We begin by understanding your goals, reviewing your current financial situation, and identifying potential eligibility risks.
2. Customized Planning Strategy
Based on your needs and timeline, we design a personalized Medicaid plan that may include:
- Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts
- Gifting strategies and timed transfers of assets
- Spousal refusal planning
- Conversion of countable assets into exempt resources
- Caregiver agreements or promissory notes
3. Document Preparation & Execution
We prepare and execute the necessary legal documents to implement your plan, ensuring full compliance with New York Medicaid laws and federal guidelines.
Why Advance Medicaid Planning Matters
While we frequently assist clients in urgent, crisis-based Medicaid planning, taking a proactive approach offers significantly more flexibility, stronger asset protection, and greater peace of mind. Ideally, planning should begin at least five years before long-term care is expected — but even if that timeline isn’t possible, there are often still strategies available to preserve assets.
In urgent situations, it’s critical to seek legal guidance before submitting a Medicaid application. The right advice can make all the difference in protecting what you’ve worked hard to build.
Client Success Stories and Testimonials
At Clark Peshkin, we are proud of the results we achieve for our clients. Here’s what they have to say:
For more success stories, visit our Testimonials page, and for additional insights on Medicaid planning and estate protection, explore our Blog.
Convenient Office Locations Across Upstate New York
Clark Peshkin offers convenient, local support for clients throughout Western and Central New York:
Buffalo Office:
Serving Erie County and Western New York
716.354.1611
Rochester Office:
Serving Monroe County and surrounding communities
585.565.6299
Syracuse Office:
Serving Onondaga County and Central New York
315.895.5979
Contact Us for Medicaid Planning Guidance
Schedule a consultation today — don’t leave your financial security to chance. Our experienced Medicaid planning attorneys in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse are here to help you protect your assets and ensure access to quality care.