Westchester Long-Term Care Planning Attorney
Long-term care planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health, your home, and your savings as you age. With nursing home and in-home care costs in Westchester often exceeding $150,000 per year, many families are unprepared for the financial and emotional burden that long-term care can bring. At Cavallo & Cavallo, our Westchester long-term care planning attorneys help residents plan ahead for these needs—so they can age with dignity and maintain control over their future.
Why Long-Term Care Planning Is Essential
Most people will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime, whether due to chronic illness, cognitive decline, or the natural effects of aging. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover custodial care, and relying solely on family or savings can be unsustainable.
Long-term care planning helps you:
- Avoid having to spend down your life savings on nursing home costs
- Ensure your spouse or family is financially protected
- Maintain your independence and make your own choices about care
- Access high-quality services when the time comes
- Preserve your home and legacy for your loved ones
Planning in advance gives you options—and peace of mind.
What Does Long-Term Care Include?
Long-term care covers a range of services designed to meet the needs of individuals who can no longer fully care for themselves. This care can be provided at home, in assisted living facilities, or in nursing homes.
Common long-term care services include:
- Assistance with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating)
- Skilled nursing care
- Medication management
- Memory care for Alzheimer’s or dementia
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- In-home aides or personal care attendants
We help clients create flexible plans that address each stage of care as needs change.
Paying for Long-Term Care
There are several ways to pay for long-term care in Westchester, but each comes with pros and cons. Without a plan, you may be forced to deplete your assets or rely on public assistance.
Payment options include:
- Personal savings – May cover short-term needs but can quickly run out
- Long-term care insurance – Offers coverage for home or facility care but must be purchased before serious health issues arise
- Medicare – Covers short-term rehab, not long-term care
- Medicaid – Pays for nursing home and some in-home care but requires strict financial eligibility
- Veterans benefits – May assist with care for eligible veterans and spouses
We evaluate your resources and help you build a sustainable care strategy that avoids financial hardship.
Medicaid Planning for Long-Term Care
One of the most effective ways to plan for future care is through Medicaid planning. Medicaid is the only public benefit that pays for long-term care, but qualifying requires meeting income and asset limits.
Through advance planning, we can help you:
- Protect your home using a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
- Structure gifts and asset transfers within Medicaid rules
- Preserve savings for a spouse or children
- Avoid penalties from the five-year lookback period
- Coordinate timing for eligibility
Even if you’re already facing care needs, we offer crisis planning to help preserve what you can.
Legal Tools for Long-Term Care Planning
Several legal documents support long-term care planning and ensure your wishes are honored:
- Durable Power of Attorney – Allows someone to manage finances and make decisions on your behalf
- Health Care Proxy – Names someone to make medical decisions if you’re unable
- Living Will – Expresses your preferences for end-of-life care
- Revocable or Irrevocable Trusts – Used to manage assets, reduce taxes, and protect against nursing home costs
We ensure all documents are up to date, properly executed, and designed to work together.
Planning for a Spouse or Loved One
When one spouse needs care, the financial strain can affect both partners. New York offers protections for the “community spouse” (the one who remains at home), but planning is still essential.
We help couples:
- Preserve income and resources for the healthy spouse
- Use spousal refusal or spousal impoverishment rules
- Transfer the home without penalty in certain cases
- Protect retirement assets and life insurance
If you’re caring for a parent or spouse, early legal planning can help you support their needs without jeopardizing your own financial stability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Care Planning
When should I start planning for long-term care?
The earlier, the better. Planning in your 50s or early 60s allows for more options and avoids the Medicaid five-year lookback penalties.
Can I protect my home from nursing home costs?
Yes, with proper planning. A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust can shield your home while preserving your right to live there.
What if I already need care?
Even in crisis, some assets can be protected. We use legal tools to help you qualify for Medicaid quickly while minimizing loss.
Is long-term care insurance worth it?
For some, yes—especially if purchased early. We review policies as part of your broader care strategy.
Will I lose control of my finances if I plan now?
Not necessarily. Many planning tools preserve your access to income while protecting the underlying assets.
Do I need a lawyer to plan for long-term care?
Yes. Long-term care planning involves complex laws, Medicaid rules, and estate considerations. A knowledgeable attorney ensures your plan is effective and compliant.
Serving Throughout Westchester, NY
- Scarsdale
- Bronxville
- Larchmont
- Rye
- Chappaqua
- Pelham
- Armonk
- Mamaroneck
- Dobbs Ferry
- Tarrytown
How Cavallo & Cavallo Can Help
For over 30 years, Cavallo & Cavallo has helped Westchester families prepare for the future with compassionate, personalized legal guidance. We take a comprehensive approach to long-term care planning that includes:
- Medicaid eligibility and asset protection
- Powers of attorney and advance directives
- Trust creation and estate integration
- Nursing home and in-home care strategies
- Spousal protection and family support planning
We help you secure care while protecting everything you’ve worked for.
Speak With a Westchester Long-Term Care Planning Attorney
It’s never too early—or too late—to plan for long-term care. Contact Cavallo & Cavallo today to speak with an experienced Westchester long-term care planning attorney and start building a plan that protects your health, your home, and your financial future.
