My parent is already in a nursing home. Is it too late for Medicaid crisis planning?

Almost never. Crisis planning exists for exactly this moment. There are legal strategies to preserve a meaningful portion of what is left.

Virginia Elder Law · Medicaid Planning

Qualify for Medicaid. Protect what you’ve built.

Q: What exactly is Medicaid planning?

It is the legal work of arranging your finances so you can qualify for Medicaid's long-term care benefits in Virginia while protecting as much of your family's assets as the law allows. It is entirely legal.

When a parent needs nursing home care, the bills arrive fast — and they don’t stop. We help Virginia families qualify for long-term care Medicaid and legally shield the home, the savings, and the healthy spouse from spend-down.

Book a free consultation Call (804) 336-6094

A service of Safe Harbor Virginia · Christopher M. Hanks, Esq. · Serving families statewide, 100% online

The numbers families are up against

$100K+

Average yearly cost of nursing home care in Virginia

60 mo.

The Medicaid “look-back” period on asset transfers

$2,000

Countable asset limit to qualify — without a plan

$157,920

Assets a healthy spouse may be able to keep, done right

Figures are illustrative and based on federal and Virginia guidelines; actual limits change annually and depend on your circumstances.

What we do

Medicaid planning, from first worry to approval

Every family’s situation is different. These are the problems we solve most — alone or in combination.

Long-term care Medicaid

We get eligible families qualified for the benefits that pay for skilled nursing and long-term care — correctly, the first time.

Asset & home protection

Structure your estate so the family home and a lifetime of savings are shielded from spend-down and estate recovery.

Crisis Medicaid planning

A parent is already in a facility and the money is running out. We act fast to preserve as much as the law allows — it’s rarely too late.

Advance planning & trusts

Plan ahead of the five-year look-back with irrevocable trusts and gifting strategies that stand up to scrutiny.

Spousal protection

Maximize the income and resources the healthy “community spouse” is allowed to keep, so one illness doesn’t impoverish two people.

Not sure where you fit?

Most families call us somewhere in the middle. A free consultation sorts it out.

Book a consultation

How it works

A clear path, start to approval

Free consultation

We review your family’s finances and care needs and tell you honestly what’s possible — at no cost.

Your custom plan

You receive a written strategy built around Virginia’s rules — what to protect, what to file, and when.

Application & filing

We prepare the trusts and documents and file the Medicaid application, so the paperwork isn’t on you.

Approval & beyond

We see the application through approval and stay on for renewals, so benefits don’t lapse down the road.

Your attorney

Christopher M. Hanks, Esq.

Virginia Medicaid planning & elder law attorney

I believe the practice of law, at its heart, is about protecting people and solving problems. If your first consultation with an attorney — even over the phone — doesn’t leave you feeling better about your situation, you need another attorney. You should have total confidence that your attorney will guide you to the best and quickest solution possible.

I started Safe Harbor Virginia to help people prepare for the future and protect their families. Medicaid planning is a core part of that work — keeping the cost of long-term care from undoing a lifetime of saving.

I’m a husband, father, and Christian. My family and I live in Northern Virginia, with my parents less than a mile away. I’m a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia Bar Associations. If you have a legal issue, we can discuss your challenges and I can help you navigate the road ahead.

Virginia & D.C. Bar Associations Estate & Medicaid planning 100% online, statewide

From the author

Medicaid Planning & Asset Protection in Virginia

For caregivers, adult children, spouses, and older adults confronting long-term care costs.

By Christopher M. Hanks, Esq.

The average nursing home stay in Virginia now runs well over $9,000 a month, and the Medicaid rules that govern who pays only grow more complex. Christopher wrote this book to put the answers in plain language for the families facing those decisions.

Inside, you’ll learn how the five-year look-back really works, how the family home and a healthy spouse can be protected, and what to do when a loved one is already in care and the money is running low.

View on Amazon Talk to Christopher

Common questions

Questions families ask us

What exactly is Medicaid planning?+

It’s the legal work of arranging your finances so you can qualify for Medicaid’s long-term care benefits while protecting as much of your family’s assets as the law allows. It is entirely legal — the rules are written to let you plan.

Will we have to sell the family home?+

Usually not. The home is often protectable, and with the right planning it can be shielded from spend-down and from estate recovery after death. The specifics depend on your circumstances — which is exactly what we sort out in a consultation.

What is the five-year look-back?+

When you apply, Medicaid reviews the previous 60 months of financial records. Certain gifts or transfers in that window can trigger a penalty period. Good planning either works within the window or starts early enough to clear it — and even inside it, options remain.

My parent is already in a nursing home. Is it too late?+

Almost never. Crisis planning exists for exactly this moment. Even when someone is already receiving care with savings running low, there are legal strategies to preserve a meaningful portion of what’s left. The sooner you call, the more we can protect.

How much does a consultation cost?+

The initial consultation is free and carries no obligation. We’ll review your situation, tell you whether we can help, and explain what our services would cost before you commit to anything.

Get started

Book your free consultation

Tell us a little about your situation and we’ll be in touch within one business day. No cost, no obligation, no jargon.

Call directly(804) 336-6094 EmailLearnMore@SafeHarborEstate.com

HoursMon–Fri, 9am–5pm ET

Office1520 Belle View Blvd. #187, Alexandria, VA 22307

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