Medicaid Planning for South Carolina Families
What Is Medicaid & Asset Planning?
Medicaid & asset planning helps South Carolina families prepare for long-term care costs while following the rules and protecting what matters most. Whether you live near USC in Columbia, in Irmo, Forest Acres, or by Lake Murray, thoughtful long-term care medicaid planning SC can support a spouse at home and stabilize finances during a health crisis. Working with a
medicaid planning attorney in Columbia SC keeps the process calm, clear, and lawful.
Who This Helps
Married couples where one spouse may need nursing home care; single adults planning ahead or already facing a crisis; and adult children or caregivers helping a parent in Richland or Lexington County. If you’re wondering how to protect assets from nursing home costs without risking eligibility, Alexandria explains options in plain language and coordinates with healthcare and social-work professionals.
How Eligibility Works—In Plain Terms
Eligibility looks at income and assets. Some property may be exempt, while other resources count toward limits. The medicaid look-back period in South Carolina reviews certain past transfers and may create a penalty period. Nursing home medicaid eligibility sc also considers monthly income and how much the applying spouse may keep versus what must go to care costs. Alexandria outlines the concepts without overwhelm so you understand the path forward.
Protection Options Within the Rules
Spousal protections & the community spouse resource allowance (csra) sc help the at-home spouse remain financially secure. Home & estate considerations include how the primary residence is treated during life and what
estate recovery
may seek after death. Income tools—like a qualified income trust / miller trust sc—can help certain applicants meet income rules. Spend-down planning focuses on necessary, permitted expenses; avoid gifting during look-back. Caregiver agreements, properly structured, can recognize real support provided by family.
Planning Ahead vs. Crisis Planning
Early planning often preserves more choices and reduces stress. If care is needed now, crisis planning can still help a spouse at home and may limit delays with benefits. Alexandria meets families where they are—whether you’re months ahead of a possible placement or already working with a Columbia facility.
Our Process
Assess → Plan → Implement → Coordinate.
Alexandria listens first, reviews finances, and explains options with fairness and clarity. She then
drafts the necessary documents, coordinates with financial institutions and care providers, and remains available to adjust the plan as needs change—all with a non-adversarial approach.
Medicaid Planning FAQs
Will Medicaid take our house in South Carolina?
Medicaid may have rights to recover from the estate later; planning can help address when the home is exempt during life and what recovery may look like after death.
Can the healthy spouse keep enough income to live on?
Spousal impoverishment rules sc aim to protect the at-home spouse’s income and resources within set limits.
How soon should we start planning?
As early as possible; but even in a crisis, meaningful options may remain.
What if we already transferred assets?
Bring everything to your consultation. Alexandria assesses timing and potential penalty periods to chart next steps.
What is a Miller Trust and when is it used?
A qualified income trust / Miller Trust can help applicants who exceed income thresholds qualify under specific rules.
Next Steps: Talk With an Elder Law Attorney
If you’re weighing placement or supporting a spouse at home in Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, or Lexington, you don’t have to navigate this alone.