Medicaid Planning & Applications Attorney
Dedicated Legal Help for Medicaid Planning & Applications Nationwide
Navigating Medicaid eligibility and long-term care costs can be overwhelming, especially when timing is critical and the rules are complex. At Raiser and Kenniff, P.C., we offer focused, compassionate legal guidance to help clients across New York State prepare for and apply to Medicaid with confidence. Every strategy we build is designed to preserve your assets, reduce unnecessary delays, and help you access the care you need without jeopardizing your home or life savings.
Here’s what our Medicaid planning attorneys can do for you:
- Preserve your assets while maintaining Medicaid eligibility by using compliant strategies such as Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, structured gifting, spend-down planning, spousal transfers and promissory note planning designed to align with federal and state laws.
- Develop custom strategies for families and caregivers navigating Medicaid eligibility for aging loved ones, individuals with disabilities, or those already in long-term care.
- Prepare and structure key legal documents including powers of attorney, health care proxies, and transfer instruments to streamline Medicaid qualification and avoid court intervention when capacity is lost.
- Assist in both crisis and pre-crisis situations, helping families take timely action to prevent asset loss, avoid penalties during the look-back period, and prepare for sudden care needs.
- Support Medicaid applications and appeals by collecting required documentation, managing direct communication with caseworkers, resolving eligibility issues, and representing clients in administrative hearings if needed.
Care costs can drain your estate fast. Act now to preserve your assets with Medicaid planning strategies. Call (888) 646-0025 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why We're the Right Choice
Attentive Service. Strategic Defense.
Raiser and Kenniff, P.C. is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.
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Personalized Legal StrategyWe don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every case is handled with a custom legal approach tailored to your goals, your circumstances, and your future.
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Risk-Free Consultation
We offer a risk-free evaluation of your case and are here to help you understand your legal options. We are available 24/7, day or night, to help you.
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Top-Rated Team
Nationally recognized for results. Our attorneys have been ranked among the best in the U.S., Trusted for their strategy, skill, and relentless client advocacy
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Former ProsecutorsOur founding partners are both former New York prosecutors who bring unique experience and insights to every case, especially when it comes to going to trial.
Work with Experienced Medicaid Planning Lawyers
Our Medicaid Planning attorneys bring deep knowledge, attention to detail, and a highly structured approach to every case they handle.
What sets our approach apart?
- Decades of Experience in Asset Protection Strategies. Our attorneys have helped numerous clients restructure their estates, preserve their homes, and access long-term care through Medicaid. We have advised families with simple estates and others facing complex trust and transfer challenges.
- Responsive & Compassionate Support. We know that many clients come to us during moments of stress—after a diagnosis, a hospital stay, or a sudden nursing home admission. We respond quickly, walk you through your options clearly, and stay committed to supporting you through the process.
- Specialized Service with Local Medicaid Knowledge. Because Medicaid is state-administered, we stay informed about the laws and policies in New York state where we serve clients. We apply these rules strategically to help you meet your goals.
- Recognized By Clients & Peers for Our Impact. Our attorneys have received distinctions such as Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum, and Avvo Clients’ Choice for consistently delivering trusted legal guidance and client-focused results.
a Reputation For excellence
Read Our Client Testimonials
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They treated me wonderfully and helped me out of a bind. I feel that this firm really cares.- Michelle A.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Medicaid Planning?
Medicaid planning is the legal process of structuring your assets and income to qualify for long-term care coverage under Medicaid while protecting your home, savings, and family legacy. It involves proactive strategies to navigate strict eligibility rules.
Why is Medicaid so complicated?
Medicaid rules vary by state and involve complex look-back periods, income and asset limits, and potential penalties for improper transfers. A mistake can delay benefits, trigger large penalties, or cause financial loss.
When should I start Medicaid planning?
Ideally, you should begin planning at least five years before long-term care is needed to avoid the Medicaid “look-back” penalty. However, emergency planning is also possible when a loved one is already in a nursing home.
What is the 5-year look-back period?
This is the time frame during which Medicaid reviews all financial transactions and asset transfers. Giving away money or selling property below value during this period can result in a denial or delay of benefits.
Can’t I just give my assets to my children?
Not without consequences. Uncompensated transfers (gifts) within the look-back window can result in penalty periods, meaning you’ll be ineligible for Medicaid for months or years, even if you have no funds left.
Will Medicaid take my house?
Not necessarily. With proper planning, you can often protect your home from being counted as an asset or from estate recovery after death. This depends on how the home is titled, who lives there, and other legal tools used.
Do I need a lawyer, or can I apply myself?
While you can apply on your own, Medicaid applications often involve complicated forms, proof requirements, and strict deadlines. One error or missed document can cause a costly delay or denial. An experienced Medicaid planning attorney helps avoid mistakes and legally preserve more of your family’s assets.
What can a Medicaid planning attorney do for me?
A Medicaid planning attorney can help protect your assets through tools like trusts, spousal refusal and promissory note plans, manage crisis planning for nursing home care, complete and oversee your Medicaid application, represent you in appeals if necessary, and coordinate with financial advisors and care providers to support your long-term care needs.
Is Medicaid planning only for the wealthy?
Not at all. In fact, Medicaid planning is most critical for middle-class families who don’t qualify outright for Medicaid but can’t afford to lose everything to long-term care costs.
How much does private representation cost?
Legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the case. However, the cost of hiring an attorney is often far less than what you might lose by not planning properly — sometimes saving tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run.
Start Planning for Your Care & Your Family’s Future
Planning for long-term care expenses is a significant step toward securing your future and protecting your family's financial stability. We are here to provide the support and guidance you need to navigate the Medicaid planning and application process.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options and develop a plan tailored to your needs.