Since opening Elder Law Guidance in 2015, our mission has been to help Kentucky families prepare for long-term care with clarity and confidence. Many people come to us feeling overwhelmed by care costs, Medicaid rules, and the fear of losing what they have worked a lifetime to build.
As one client shared, “They calmed all fears during a traumatic time with my elder mother.” That sense of steady support is at the heart of how we guide every family.
Across Kentucky, the need for long-term care continues to grow. More than 540,000 households now include someone age 65 or older, and care costs reflect that reality.
Nursing home care averages about $301 per day statewide, and in Lexington, many facilities range between $8,800 and $9,500 a month. Assisted living averages about $4,633 monthly, and the overall cost of long-term care in Kentucky can run from $4,300 to more than $7,000 each month, depending on the level of support needed.
These numbers can feel intimidating, but with a clear plan, you can protect your home, your savings, and your peace of mind. Long-term care planning gives you control over how your care is funded, where you receive it, and how your assets are preserved for the people you love.
Whenever you are ready to understand your options and feel more secure about the future, we are here to walk with you step by step.
What Is Long-Term Care Planning and Why It Matters in Kentucky
Long-term care planning helps you prepare for the medical, financial, and personal support you may need as you age.
It gives you a clear path for paying for nursing home care, assisted living, in-home support, or memory care without placing your home or savings at risk. For many Kentucky families, this type of planning becomes essential long before a crisis appears.
Kentucky seniors face some of the highest care costs in the region. Assisted living communities, including popular options like Legacy Reserve at Fritz Farm, typically average about 4,633 dollars each month. These expenses can quickly drain lifetime savings if a family enters care without a clear plan.
Long term care planning also matters because Medicaid rules in Kentucky can be confusing. The five year lookback, asset limits, and spend down requirements often surprise families who try to navigate the process on their own.
When these rules are not understood, people risk losing more than they need to and may delay eligibility for benefits that could have supported their care sooner.
A thoughtful plan keeps you in control. It protects your home, clarifies your decision makers, and outlines how your care will be funded. Most of all, it brings stability at a time when many families feel unsure of their next step.
Our Long-Term Care Services in Kentucky
Our long-term care planning services include:
- Medicaid eligibility planning
- Nursing home asset protection
- Estate planning coordination
- Medicaid-compliant trusts
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Long-term care coordination
- VA Aid and Attendance support
- Crisis planning for sudden health changes
- Nursing home and assisted living planning
- Powers of attorney
- Financial and care plan reviews
- Long-term care planning
- Health care directives
Get Trusted Legal Support Today
For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Elder Law Guidance. Call (859) 544-6012 to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose Elder Law Guidance
When you choose Elder Law Guidance, you’re choosing a Kentucky-based team that combines legal precision with empathy, clarity, and respect for your family.
- Kentucky-Focused Experience: We guide families across the Commonwealth through probate, estate transfers, Medicaid planning, and guardianship with steady, proven processes.
- Team-Based Support: You don’t just get one lawyer, you get an entire team tracking deadlines, documents, and court requirements so nothing is missed.
- Education-First Approach: Through webinars and strategy sessions, we explain Kentucky probate, Medicaid, and estate planning in plain language so you can make confident decisions.
- No-Pressure, Transparent Service: We won’t push you into work you don’t need. If we don’t believe we can save or protect more than you spend, we’ll tell you. Fees, timelines, and options are explained upfront.
- Local Court Knowledge Statewide: Because we work regularly with probate courts across Kentucky, we understand local rules, judges’ preferences, and filing practices—helping your case move as smoothly as possible.
How Long-Term Care Planning Protects Your Home and Savings in Kentucky
Long-term care planning helps you stay in control of your future by protecting the home and savings you have worked for your entire life. Without a clear plan, families in Kentucky can face significant financial pressure as care needs increase.
Your home is your largest asset. In Lexington, the median home value is about $321,311, and many families want to make sure this property remains protected for loved ones. With the right planning tools, including Medicaid-compliant trusts and early asset organization, your home can remain secure even with long-term care costs.
Planning also helps families avoid unnecessary spend downs. Kentucky Medicaid allows only $2,000 in countable assets for an applicant, and the five-year lookback can create penalties if transfers were made without guidance.
Many people do not realize how quickly a lack of preparation can affect eligibility. When you understand these rules, you can choose a path that preserves more of what you have earned.
Long-term care planning also brings clarity during stressful situations. Families often tell us they feel relieved knowing exactly how care will be funded and who will have authority to make decisions. With a clear plan in place, you can face the future with more confidence and less worry.
Understanding Kentucky Medicaid Rules and the Five-Year Lookback
In Kentucky, an individual applying for Medicaid can have no more than $2,000 in countable assets. The five-year lookback requires the state to review financial transfers made in the past sixty months.
If money or property was given away or transferred for less than fair market value, Medicaid may impose a penalty period before benefits can begin. This catches many families by surprise, especially when a loved one needs care quickly.
A Medicaid-compliant trust and a clear spend-down strategy can help preserve assets while still meeting program requirements. Planning also confirms that someone you trust has the legal authority to help you through powers of attorney and health care directives.
Without these documents, decisions may need to go through the Fayette County District Court Probate Division, which adds time and stress during an already difficult moment.
Most families feel a sense of relief once they understand what Medicaid does and does not require. With patient guidance and a step-by-step approach, the process becomes manageable. Whenever you are ready to explore your options, we are here to help you create a plan that supports both your care and your financial stability.
Get to Know Elder Law Guidance
Elder Law Guidance was founded in 2015 with a simple purpose. Our founder, Scott E. Collins, wanted to build a place where Kentucky families could plan earlier, feel supported, and protect what they have worked for. That vision guides how we serve every person who walks through our door.
Clients often tell us they appreciate how patient and clear our team is. We explain Medicaid, trusts, and care options in plain English, and we take the time to answer every question. Many families say they finally understand how long-term care planning works and feel more at ease knowing they have a plan that fits their needs.
Our office serves families across Lexington, Richmond, Winchester, Berea, and surrounding communities. We meet clients in our welcoming historic office, at home, in the hospital, or in assisted living communities when travel is difficult.
Because long-term care is often a team effort, we coordinate with financial advisors, CPAs, care managers, and medical providers so your plan reflects every part of your life.
Education is at the center of what we do. Our free community webinars help families learn about Medicaid eligibility, nursing home costs, asset protection, and powers of attorney in a comfortable and accessible way. Clients often share that these sessions gave them clarity at a time when they felt unsure of where to begin.
Above all, our goal is to make long-term care planning feel manageable. With steady guidance and a respectful, no-pressure approach, we help you prepare for the future with confidence.
Our Kentucky Long-Term Care Planning Process
No matter where you live in Kentucky, our process is designed to reduce stress, clarify options, and move you step-by-step toward peace of mind.
- Free Consultation
Meet with us in person or virtually to discuss your situation, ask questions, and see whether we’re a good fit. - Strategy & Planning Session
An attorney reviews your long-term care needs, Medicaid timelines, possible VA benefits, and the best options for wills, trusts, and caregiver support. - Drafting & Signing Your Plan
We prepare and review tailored documents, like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship papers, so your wishes are clear and legally enforceable. - Asset Alignment & Coordination
Our team helps retitle accounts, fund trusts, and coordinate with your financial or tax professionals so your plan actually works in practice. - Medicaid & VA Applications
We complete and organize the paperwork, track deadlines, and manage follow-up so your Kentucky Medicaid or VA claim stays on track and avoids unnecessary delays. - Ongoing Support & Education
With optional annual reviews and regular educational programs on topics like Medicaid look-back rules and trust planning, we help your plan stay current as your life and the law change.
What Our Clients Say About Us
“They explained everything and took the time to answer all our questions.” -Cathy Rigney
Families choose us when they need clear, patient guidance through long-term care decisions. Many arrive unsure about Medicaid, trusts, or nursing home costs, and they leave understanding their options with confidence.
“Called after hearing praises from another client.” -Victoria Bishop
A large part of our work comes from referrals. Friends, neighbors, and relatives often share their experiences, and families trust those recommendations when they are facing care decisions of their own.
“They calmed all fears during a traumatic time with my elder mother.” -Stacy Bland
Long-term care planning is not just legal paperwork. It is often emotional and urgent. Families value our calm approach and the time we take to support them during stressful moments.
“They helped us update our trust to Kentucky law.’ ’-Eric Brown
Relocating families rely on our Kentucky-specific guidance. Updating out-of-state documents and preparing for local long-term care rules becomes simpler with clear, step-by-step directions.
Local Resources for Kentucky Families
- Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Fayette County District Court Probate Division
- Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging
- Legacy Reserve at Fritz Farm
- Morning Pointe of Lexington
- Sayre Christian Village
- UK HealthCare in Lexington
- Baptist Health Lexington
- Richmond VA Clinic
Schedule Your Kentucky Long Term Care Planning Consultation
Preparing for long term care does not have to feel overwhelming. With the right guidance, you can protect your home, avoid unnecessary spend downs, and secure the care you deserve.
At Elder Law Guidance, we take the time to listen, explain your options and help you make decisions that support both your future and your peace of mind.
If you are ready to understand your choices and create a plan that protects what matters most, we would be honored to help. Contact us to schedule your consultation and take your next step with confidence.
