Elder Law Guidance was founded in 2015 with a mission to help families in Richmond protect their savings through thoughtful Medicaid planning.
Planning for long-term care in Richmond often raises tough questions about costs, eligibility, and how to protect a lifetime of savings.
In fact, Senior Living in 2025 reports that nursing home care in Kentucky now averages between $8,000 and $10,500 per month, making proactive Medicaid planning vital for many Madison County families.
Drawing on deep roots in community service, our firm helps clients plan with dignity, preserve wealth, and make confident choices about long-term care.
Understanding Medicaid Planning and Why It Matters in Richmond, KY
Medicaid planning is the process of arranging your finances and legal documents so you can qualify for long-term care coverage without losing everything you have worked for.
In Kentucky, Medicaid often becomes the only way to pay for extended nursing home care, since private health insurance and Medicare rarely cover the full cost. Without planning, families in Richmond may see savings, vehicles, or even homes put at risk to meet Medicaid’s strict eligibility rules.
For many, the goal is not just paying for care, but protecting a spouse, a family home, or a small farm from being lost. In Madison County, with more than 35,000 residents already receiving Medicaid benefits, these issues affect a growing number of families each year.
Local demand for nursing home care continues to rise. Facilities such as Kenwood Health and Rehabilitation Center and Madison Health and Rehabilitation Center, both serve residents who rely on Medicaid.
Planning ahead gives families peace of mind. It means the difference between rushing to apply during a health crisis and having a structured plan that protects what matters most.
Our Medicaid Planning Services in Richmond
Our Medicaid planning services include:
- Medicaid eligibility reviews
- Application preparation and filing
- Appeals for denials
- Asset protection strategies
- Medicaid-compliant trusts
- Long-term care cost planning
- Spousal impoverishment protections
- Wills and powers of attorney
- Advance directives
- Special needs trusts
- Crisis Medicaid planning
- Emergency spend-down strategies
- Transfer penalty guidance
- Veterans benefits coordination
- Ongoing eligibility reviews
- Nursing home contract review
Get Trusted Legal Support Today
For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Elder Law Guidance. Call (859) 544-6012 to schedule your consultation.
Why Families in Richmond Choose Us
Choosing a Medicaid planning lawyer is about trust, patience, and knowing your family will be cared for with dignity. Clients across Madison County describe our team as knowledgeable, kind, and always willing to explain the law in plain English.
Education-First
We believe informed clients make the best decisions, so education is always part of the process. We walk our clients through all their options before deciding what is best for them.
Compassion During Crisis
When care is needed suddenly, we provide steady guidance and practical solutions to ease stress and protect family stability.
Respect and Listening
We start by listening, valuing each family’s concerns, and offering clear, respectful guidance that honors your goals.
Team-Based Support
Clients appreciate that they meet not just one lawyer, but an entire team committed to their care.
Clear Steps, No Pressure
We use a documented process so you always know what comes next, from our initial consultation to long-term follow-up. As Eric Brown shared, “No pressure, customer focused and understanding… They gave us the confidence we were making the correct decisions.”
Can I Keep My House if I Go on Medicaid in Madison County?
One of the most common concerns families have when applying for Medicaid is whether they’ll lose their home.
In Kentucky, including here in Richmond, the answer depends on several factors. Medicaid does not automatically require you to sell your home to qualify, but it does place limits on how much equity you can have in it and how the property is treated during and after your lifetime.
For example, your primary residence is generally considered an exempt asset if you live in it, intend to return to it, or if a spouse, minor child, or disabled dependent continues to reside there.
However, after you pass away, Kentucky’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program may attempt to recover costs from your estate, including the home, unless protections are in place.
This is why planning ahead matters. A Medicaid planning lawyer in Richmond can help you:
- Determine whether your home qualifies as exempt under Kentucky’s Medicaid rules.
- Explore legal tools such as trusts or life estates to protect your property.
- Plan for your spouse’s or family’s continued use of the home while preserving Medicaid eligibility.
- Prepare for potential estate recovery and identify strategies to minimize the impact on heirs.
By working with local professionals who understand both Kentucky Medicaid regulations and the housing market in Madison County, you can make informed choices that protect your home and your family’s future.
Our Medicaid Planning Process in Madison County
At Elder Law Guidance, we follow a clear step-by-step process so families know what to expect at every stage. Medicaid planning is not a one-time transaction, it is a structured path that protects assets while meeting Kentucky’s eligibility rules.
Initial Consultation
We begin with a no-cost meeting where you share your situation and goals. This is a chance to ask questions and learn about your options without pressure.
Strategy Session
If you decide to move forward, we schedule a focused planning session with an attorney. This session allows us to design a custom plan based on your family’s needs, assets, and timelines.
Drafting and Signing Documents
We prepare the legal documents that will protect your home, savings, and legacy. You review them with our team and sign when you feel confident everything is in place.
Funding and Tax Discussions
Once documents are complete, we guide you in transferring assets into the right structures. This step makes sure your plan is properly funded and tax considerations are addressed.
Applications
For those applying for Medicaid or Veterans benefits, we prepare and submit applications. In Kentucky, these can take months to process, and having everything organized reduces delays.
Implementation
We continue to support you beyond approval. Our follow-up plan includes check-ins, updates, and additional guidance so your protections remain strong and your family has peace of mind.
Local Medicaid Eligibility in Richmond
Medicaid in Kentucky is administered through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with eligibility determined by strict income and asset limits.
In Richmond, where elders make up 10.8% of the population (Neilsberg, 2025), the need to understand these rules is especially important. Too often, families only learn after the fact that much of their savings or property could have been protected with timely planning.
To qualify for long-term care coverage, applicants must meet both income and resource limits. Certain assets, such as a primary residence or one vehicle, may be protected if a spouse remains in the community.
This protection is often called the community spouse resource allowance. Transfers of property within the five-year lookback period, however, can result in penalties or delays in coverage.
Get to Know Elder Law Guidance
Founded in 2015 by Scott E. Collins, a U.S. Army veteran and former minister, Elder Law Guidance exists to protect families’ hard-earned assets and allow for dignity in aging. Rooted in service and community, we practice law with compassion, integrity, and a people-first approach.
We see ourselves as educators as much as attorneys. Families appreciate how we explain wills, trusts, and Medicaid in plain English, answering questions patiently so they can make informed decisions without pressure. With a team-based approach, we guide clients step by step.
Our Richmond, KY office is located in a welcoming historic home, designed to feel comfortable and accessible for every family we serve. For added convenience, we also meet clients in their homes or hospital settings, making the planning process as stress-free as possible.
Elder Law Guidance is a proud member of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Elder Law Division, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and ElderCounsel, and we are accredited to represent veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Our purpose is to help families protect assets, preserve legacies, and gain peace of mind for the future.
Local Resources We Work With in Richmond
To give our clients the best support, we partner with trusted local organizations in Madison County. These resources help families with medical, financial, and care-related needs alongside Medicaid planning:
- Kentucky River Foothills Development Council. Offers senior services, transportation assistance, and community support programs.
- Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living. Provides resources on long-term care, in-home support, and caregiver assistance.
- Local Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Communities. Such as Kenwood Health & Rehabilitation Center and Morning Pointe of Richmond, for placement and care planning.
- Hospitals & Medical Providers. Including Baptist Health Richmond, to coordinate care needs and verify medical documentation.
- Financial & Social Service Organizations. Local banks, accountants, and social workers who help manage assets, trusts, and care expenses.
Reach Out for a Medicaid Planning Consultation Today
If you are worried about protecting your home, savings, or benefits, now is the time to put a plan in place. At Elder Law Guidance, we will explain your options in plain English, answer your questions with patience, and never pressure you into a decision.
Meet with our team to review your situation and learn your options.
