Deerfield Beach Medicaid Planning Lawyers

Deerfield Beach has many retirees who worked hard for their homes and savings. Few of them expected a care bill to threaten either. Choosing where a parent or spouse will live is emotional enough, and worrying about the cost makes it heavier. 

LEEP LAW GROUP helps families understand how Florida Medicaid works and plan around it. Our Boca Raton elder law team has advocated in the community for over a decade, and partner Tara Wood has dedicated her entire practice to elder rights. 

You can rely on attorneys to explain each step in plain language and offer guidance to help Deerfield Beach families plan for long-term care needs.

Call (561) 760-9685 to set up a free consultation at a pace that works for your family.

What Long-Term Care Means for a Deerfield Beach Family

About 23 percent of Deerfield Beach residents are 65 or older. The median household income is around $57,000, and roughly 64 percent of households own their homes. For plenty of families, the house or condo and a modest savings account make up nearly everything.

Care changes that picture. A stay in a nursing home or an assisted living community can use up savings month after month. Home health help adds up too.

Medicaid planning is a way to look at those risks early, while there are more choices on the table.

Medicaid Basics for Florida Seniors

People often assume Medicare will cover long-term care. It usually doesn't. Medicare is health insurance. It can cover limited rehab in a skilled nursing facility, but only after a qualifying hospital stay. It does not cover ongoing help with bathing, dressing, or eating.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program for people with limited income and assets. It can help with nursing home costs and with some home and assisted living services. In Florida, the state's Department of Children and Families reviews the applications.

Eligibility Limits for 2026

Assets

A single applicant can usually keep $2,000 in countable assets. Some things don't count, such as a primary home that meets the rules, one vehicle, and personal belongings.

Income

Monthly income above $2,982 calls for a Qualified Income Trust, sometimes known as a Miller trust. The trust is set up to receive the extra income so the person can still qualify.

The Home

A home can stay exempt up to a 2026 equity limit of $752,000, as long as other conditions are met. When a spouse lives there, the case is stronger.

Married Couples

The spouse who stays home, called the community spouse, can keep up to $162,660 in countable resources in 2026. We study how accounts are titled and what each spouse earns.

Every limit here changes from time to time. We recheck them when we meet you.

Strategies We May Discuss

No single approach fits everyone, and none is a shortcut. The options below are the ones we most often look at.

Irrevocable Trusts

An asset protection trust can hold certain property outside your countable assets. Timing is critical because of the look-back.

Medicaid-Compliant Annuities

In some cases, extra savings can be converted into a stream of income. The terms must meet strict rules.

Retitling Between Spouses

How a married couple holds property can change how it is counted.

Updated Legal Documents

A power of attorney that allows the right transactions makes everything easier. Without one, a family may need a guardianship before a Medicaid application can move forward.

Two Rules That Catch Families Off Guard

1. The Five-Year Look-Back

When you apply, the state reviews the previous five years of finances. Gifts and sales below market value can lead to a penalty period. During it, Medicaid won't pay for care.

Families run into this when they try to help. Adding a child to a bank account or deeding over a house can look like a transfer.

2. Estate Recovery

After a Medicaid recipient dies, Florida may seek repayment from the estate for the cost of care. How the home is titled and how the estate is planned can affect that. We raise this early so no one is surprised later.

How We Handle a Medicaid Case

Our work usually follows this path:

1. We review your income, assets, marital status, and care needs.
2. We write up a strategy that fits Florida's rules.
3. We help gather the records the state will ask for.
4. We prepare and submit the application.
5. We respond to follow-up requests and stay in touch as rules change.

If a loved one needs care right now, we can work in crisis mode and move quickly. If you are planning for the future, we have more time to look at every option.

What to Bring to Your First Meeting

• Five years of bank and investment statements
• Deeds and recent property tax bills
• Income records, such as Social Security and pension letters
• Insurance policies, including long-term care coverage
• Existing wills, trusts, and powers of attorney

Don't worry if you can't find everything. We can start with what you have.

Why Deerfield Beach Families Trust LEEP LAW GROUP to Plan for Long-Term Care

Medicaid planning sits where elder law, estate planning, and family life meet. It's what Tara Wood does all day. She started her career at an elder law firm, working alongside attorneys with more than 20 years in the field. Her Florida Bar memberships include the Elder Law Section, and she spends time in nursing homes and at community clinics teaching families about their rights.

Christine Schafer, our other partner, brings her own recognition, including Super Lawyers Rising Stars honors from 2018 through 2024. Together, they lead a firm that has served South Florida since 2014.

Adult children who live out of town can join meetings by video, and many documents can be signed electronically.

Medicaid Planning Questions From Deerfield Beach Families

Will I have to sell my home to qualify for Medicaid?

Not necessarily. A primary residence is often exempt within the equity limit, especially if a spouse lives there. Estate recovery after death is a separate issue, and we cover it during planning.

Can I still help my grandchildren with college costs?

Be careful. Gifts made during the five-year look-back can trigger a penalty. Talk with an attorney before giving, so you know how it could affect your eligibility.

How long does a penalty period last?

It depends on the size of the transfer and a monthly figure the state uses in its calculation. A larger gift generally means a longer penalty. Specifics vary by case.

What if my loved one has dementia and no power of attorney?

Someone must have legal authority to sign an application. If no document exists and the person can no longer sign one, a guardianship may be needed. We can explain how that works.

Can Medicaid help my parent stay at home?

Florida Medicaid offers some home and community-based services for people who qualify. Availability depends on the program and your parent's needs. We can help you sort through what applies.

When is the right time to start planning?

Earlier is better. Five years is a long look-back, so families with time have more tools. Even if care has started, call. There may still be steps worth taking.

Take the First Step Toward a Care Plan

Questions about care costs are easier to face with someone beside you. Contact LEEP LAW GROUP at (561) 760-9685 or through our online form to schedule a free consultation. We're in Boca Raton, not far from Deerfield Beach, and we would love to meet with you by video call.