Sarasota Medicaid Planning Lawyer

Medicaid Planning Attorney in Sarasota, FL

Planning for retirement can be a complex process that requires special consideration of many factors. One area that individuals often overlook is Medicaid planning. Home health care and nursing home care are notoriously expensive and can quickly eat away at your savings if you do not plan ahead. With help from a Sarasota Medicaid planning lawyer, you can use proven estate planning tools to ensure that you qualify for federal Medicaid programs when you need them.

The Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A.: Helping Plan for Your Future

When Sarasotans need reliable and trustworthy estate planning guidance, they rely on the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A. Since 2003, we have helped clients plan for the future and address important estate-related matters. Our services cover a wide range of areas, from trust creation and administration to probate appearances and elder law matters.

We understand that protecting your legacy and providing for your loved ones after your death are serious matters that require careful consideration and exacting attention to detail. As you begin planning for the future, our trusted and knowledgeable legal team of Sarasota estate planning lawyers can be there to guide you through the process with confidence.

Understanding Medicaid Benefits in Sarasota

Long-term care can quickly drain a family’s savings. In Florida, at-home care and nursing home care are both costly. In 2025, the average private-pay daily rate for a nursing home in Florida is about $349.96, according to the state’s Medicaid cost report. For Sarasota families, that can amount to more than $10,000 per month.

Sarasota also has a high percentage of seniors, with 29.25% of the local population being 65 or older. Seniors and families in communities such as Gillespie Park, Laurel Park, and Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores are often faced with challenges when it comes to budgeting for nursing home care.

Medicaid offers critical relief by covering 100% of nursing home costs for eligible residents, meaning that qualifying seniors typically face no out-of-pocket expenses for their care. This coverage ensures that aging residents can access the skilled nursing and daily assistance they need without jeopardizing their family’s financial stability.

How Estate Planning Can Help You Qualify for Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid can cover the cost of long-term care for individuals who qualify. The federal program considers an applicant’s assets when determining whether they qualify for benefits. While some seniors believe that they have to “spend down” their money to qualify for Medicaid benefits, there is another option.

The Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A., can create a Medicaid protection trust that can protect your assets while allowing you to qualify for Medicaid benefits that can cover the cost of long-term care for you or a loved one.

The irrevocable trust designates beneficiaries and assigns someone to manage the trust. As part of your overall estate planning effort, creating the right trust to hold your assets can prevent the need for relying on your savings alone to pay for your long-term care needs.

Why You Should Hire a Medicaid Planning Lawyer?

With help from a Sarasota Medicaid planning attorney, you can gain a better understanding of the Medicaid planning laws that apply to you. Medicaid planning cases are complex and require a deep understanding of federal rules. The decision to hire a Medicaid planning lawyer allows your case to be handled with care and attention to detail.

Having an attorney allows you to receive reliable advice on important estate planning matters that could affect your future and the financial stability of your loved ones. Legal support can save your estate by avoiding the need for you to dip into your savings to cover the cost of nursing home care.

FAQs About Sarasota Medicaid Planning

How Much Is a Medicaid Planning Attorney?

As with other types of lawyers, a Medicaid planning attorney charges an hourly rate for the time and resources they put into providing legal services for clients. For estate planning purposes, an attorney may charge a flat rate for services like drafting wills or trusts. Medicaid planning requires careful attention to details, but the financial benefits often far outweigh the upfront costs.

Are Medicaid Planners Worth It?

Considering the cost of nursing home care in Florida, working with a medicaid planner to explore your Medicaid planning options is often well worth it. By scheduling a consultation to learn about your Medicaid planning options, you can determine whether going through the process is worth it to your family. Qualifying for Medicaid can fully cover the cost of nursing home care in some situations.

Is Medicaid Planning Legal?

Yes. Medicaid planning is perfectly legal. An attorney who is licensed to practice law in Florida understands state and federal laws and works within the legal system to help clients qualify for Medicaid benefits. Trusts are a common tool that is used to move assets, whether for tax-saving purposes or to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

What Does a Medicaid Lawyer Do?

A Medicaid attorney uses their knowledge of the law and estate planning options to help clients qualify for Medicaid benefits. This can help older individuals who may need nursing home care in the future. Applicants for Medicaid must have assets below a certain threshold in order to qualify for benefits. A Medicaid lawyer helps clients meet that threshold.

Find Out How We Can Help at the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A.

If you have concerns about the cost of nursing home care for you or a loved one, the time to start planning is now. The team at the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A., is here to help. We can explain how a Medicaid protection trust works and what other estate planning tools can help you cover the costs of long-term care.

We understand how important this type of planning is for families, and we take a comprehensive approach to protecting our clients’ estates. Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation so we can help you plan for your future.