Legal Question in Elder Law in Wisconsin

All gifts, with the exception of normal family holiday gifts, will cause problems if an elderly relative applies for any sort of government assistance, including Medicaid or other long term care benefits. The amounts which are permitted vary, depending upon the size of the estate, so if government help is in a person's future, those receiving gifts from them should retain them until at least six years (soon to be ten years) after receipt and wait until after the benefit application is complete and benefits in place before spending them, because they might need to give them back to be applied to the costs of care. Nothing should be attempting without close guidance from an experienced estate planning or elder law attorney.

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