Estate Planning

A gift made pursuant to the Federal Estate and Gift Tax exclusion for gifts of $14,000 per year per person does create a period of ineligibility for Medicaid. You may make a gift of $14,000 or less per year to any person without creating a gift tax but the gift would still create a period of ineligibility for Medicaid which will be determined by utilizing the following formula. The dollar value of the asset transferred and dividing it by the average monthly cost of a nursing home as determined by the Department of Social Services for your area. This is not the actual average monthly cost of a nursing home in your area but the rate as established by the Department of Social Services. The actual cost is probable significantly higher. Speak to your local CPA or elder law attorney for more information on a gift or transfer and Medicaid.