Founded in 2015, Elder Law Guidance blends military service, ministry, and community roots into a compassionate elder law practice. We help families protect assets, secure Medicaid and VA benefits, and prepare wills, trusts, and guardianship plans.
Kentucky families face hard choices when it comes to long-term care, Medicaid, veterans’ benefits, and estate planning. With over 275,000 veterans in the state and more than 17% of Kentuckians now age 65 or older, the need for clear legal guidance has never been greater.
From Lexington to Southeastern Kentucky, we meet families where they are.
Wherever your journey begins, our mission is to protect your family, preserve your legacy, and give you lasting peace of mind.
Understanding Elder Law and Why It Matters in Kentucky
Elder law is about protecting seniors and their families when health, finances, or benefits are at stake. In Kentucky, this often means three things:
- Keeping care affordable through Medicaid planning
- Preserving control with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
- Protecting dignity in probate, guardianship, and veterans’ claims
The cost of long-term care makes this urgent. Nursing homes, like The Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation, can charge between $7,500–$9,500 per month. Without planning, families quickly deplete savings.
Probate courts handle guardianship and estate matters across the state, including the Madison County Probate Court in Richmond and the Fayette County Probate Court in Lexington. With the right documents in place, families avoid costly and stressful court proceedings.
Support also extends beyond the legal system. Community resources help families manage day-to-day needs while legal protections secure the future.
Our Elder Law and VA Services in Kentucky
- Medicaid Planning
- Crisis Medicaid Planning
- VA Disability Compensation
- Estate Planning
- VA Pension
- Long Term Care Planning
- Probate
- Guardianship and Conservatorship
- Elder Law
Get Trusted Legal Support Today
For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Elder Law Guidance. Call (859) 544-6012 to schedule your consultation.
What Kentucky Veterans Should Know About VA Disability
Handling the VA disability process can be challenging, especially for veterans unsure of their rights or the benefits available to them.
In Kentucky, veterans who were injured or developed a medical condition during active service may be eligible for monthly, tax-free compensation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The amount you receive depends on the severity of your disability, rated from 0% to 100%, and how that disability impacts your ability to work or carry out daily activities.
Applying for VA disability benefits involves collecting detailed evidence such as medical records, service documentation, and physician statements. The VA reviews this evidence to determine whether your condition is service-connected.
Even with a valid claim, many veterans face delays, denials, or lower-than-deserved ratings due to incomplete information or errors in the application process.
For Kentucky veterans, having experienced guidance can make a crucial difference. A local advocate or attorney familiar with VA regional offices in Louisville and Huntington, as well as state-specific support programs, can help make sure your case is properly developed, submitted, and appealed if necessary.
Get to Know Elder Law Guidance
Led by Scott E. Collins, a U.S. Army veteran, former minister, and passionate elder law attorney, our firm is rooted in service, integrity, and the belief that the benefits you earned should be secured with clarity and compassion.
For decades, Kentucky families have trusted us during life’s most important transitions: from estate planning and long-term care preparation to probates, Medicaid planning, and veterans’ benefits.
Our sole focus is elder law, so when it comes to the special rules around VA disability, asset protection, Medicaid regulations, or the challenges of long-term care, we bring experience, not just general counsel.
We serve residents throughout Central and Southeastern Kentucky, including the many counties where veterans, retirees and families face unique challenges when handling VA systems and elder-law protections.
Why Choose Elder Law Guidance
Families across Kentucky choose us because we combine statewide experience with a personal, no-pressure approach. Our mission is not just to prepare documents but to walk with you through difficult seasons with clarity and compassion.
Service and Community Roots
Founded in 2015, our firm was built on military service and community work. These roots shape how we treat every client, with dignity, patience, and integrity.
Experience That Understands Families
We have guided hundreds of families across Kentucky through Medicaid, VA benefits, and estate planning. Clients often say we “calmed all fears” and put them “at ease” during stressful times.
Education
We believe in teaching before drafting. From free monthly webinars to in-person consultations, we explain the law in simple terms so you can make informed decisions.
Protecting Wealth and Legacy
Our focus is on asset protection and legacy planning. As one review put it: “They gave us the confidence we were making the correct decisions.”
Team-Based, Compassionate Approach
Clients describe our staff as “wonderful, knowledgeable, personable and professional.” You will meet a coordinated team, not a solo attorney, and every step is supported with care.
No-Pressure Promise
If we cannot save you more than you spend, we will tell you. Families trust us because our advice is honest, reliable, and centered on their needs.
How We Help Families Across Kentucky
Our process is designed to take you from uncertainty to peace of mind. Families often come to us after a hospitalization, a nursing home admission, or a VA disability denial.
Step 1: Free Consultation
Meet with our intake team in person at our Richmond office, by phone, or via Zoom. This first meeting is always free and focused on listening.
Step 2: Strategy Session
You will sit down with an attorney for a detailed planning session. We map out Medicaid eligibility, VA disability or pension benefits, and options for wills, trusts, and guardianship when necessary. Clients often say this stage “calmed all fears” because they leave with a clear written plan.
Step 3: Document Drafting & Signing
We prepare custom wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, tailored to your family’s needs, not a template. One client put it best: “It was like talking to my family on our wishes.”
Step 4: Funding & Tax Follow-Up
We guide you through retitling accounts, transferring assets into trusts, and coordinating with tax professionals to make sure your plan works in practice.
Step 5: Applications
If needed, we prepare and file Medicaid or VA benefit applications. The VA currently averages 4–6 months for initial disability decisions, so our team manages the deadlines and evidence requirements to avoid costly delays.
Step 6: Implementation Plan
For ongoing support, we offer a year-long plan with check-ins, updates, and caregiver help. Many families say this continuity gave them “confidence we were making the correct decisions.”
We also host two free webinars each month on topics like Medicaid look-back rules, VA disability evidence, and the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts. Every registrant receives a recording to share with family.
Elder Law & VA Timelines in Kentucky
Planning ahead helps families avoid financial and emotional shocks. Across Kentucky, the biggest question we hear is “How long will benefits take?”
Medicaid Timelines
Kentucky Medicaid applies a strict 5-year look-back period on asset transfers. Moving assets at the wrong time can delay eligibility. Crisis applications, for families already paying $8,000+ monthly, are typically resolved within 2–5 months, while proactive planning protects more assets and avoids penalties.
VA Disability Timelines
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that initial VA disability claims average 4–6 months for a decision. Appeals can take longer depending on whether the case goes through a supplemental claim, higher-level review, or Board appeal.
Missing deadlines or medical evidence often adds months to the process. Our VA-accredited team makes sure evidence is filed correctly and on time.
Our Elder and VA Disability Service Areas
We offer elder law and VA disability services across Kentucky, including:
- Lexington
- Richmond
- Florence
- Nicholasville
- Paducah
- Independence
- Berea
- Danville
- Fayette County
- Madison County
- Jessamine County
- Pulaski County
- Garrard County
- Rockcastle County
- Laurel County
- Whitley County
What Disabilities Qualify for VA Compensation?
Veterans in Lexington may qualify for VA disability benefits if a medical condition was caused or worsened by military service.
Common qualifying conditions include:
- PTSD and other mental health disorders
- Hearing loss or tinnitus
- Back, neck, or joint injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Sleep apnea
- Nerve damage or neuropathy
- Heart disease or hypertension
- Exposure-related illnesses (e.g., burn pits, Agent Orange)
Each condition must be service-connected to qualify.
What Kentucky Families Say About Us
“Very patient to explain complex ins and outs of elder law, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Wills… They carefully guide you through the Trust process.” — Greenhat Custom
“Helped us get through a very difficult time with honesty and reliability.” — Trisha Fuson
“Led us in the intricate steps of setting up a trust. Always available to answer any questions.” — Larry Curry
“It was like talking to my family on our wishes.” — Jim Root
“Courteous and knowledgeable… professional and informative… put me at ease.” — Kim Harnisch
“No pressure, customer focused and understanding.” — Eric Brown
“The kindness, patience and care shown by Scott Collins, Sarah-James Sendor and Keaton Smith…” — Beth Brock
“Free webinars… very informative… more informed about trust, wills and power of attorney.” — Camila Haney
“They gave us the confidence we were making the correct decisions.” — Eric Brown
Local Resources We Work With in Kentucky
- Kenwood Health & Rehabilitation Center (Richmond)
- Sayre Christian Village (Lexington)
- Christian Care Communities
- Richmond Senior Citizens Center
Ready to Protect Your Family and Legacy in Kentucky?
Schedule your consultation this week at our welcoming A.R. Burnam House office in Richmond, located just off Robert R. Martin Bypass near Lancaster Avenue.
We also offer home and hospital visits throughout Madison County for families who cannot travel.
Peace of mind starts with one conversation.
