In simplified terms, when a Medicaid recipient passes away, the state in which the individual lived and received Medicaid benefits, attempts to collect reimbursement for which it paid for long-term care. 857(b)(6)(C)(ii). Creating a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. Its an estate planning tool that provides safety and security in the midst of financial storms. Various assets can be put into a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, including ones home.

With an Intervivos Safe Harbor Trust, remember that you are handing over control of a portion of your assets while you and your spouse are still living. 22 mars 2023 In skyward employee login alachua county. Instead, you are free to choose any other person to fulfill this role, such as a family member or close friend. In WI, trusts that are irrevocable can generally be altered or cancelled if all parties (trustmaker, trustee, and beneficiaries) are in agreement. Leaving assets to each other likely sounds like the right thing to do because, what else would a spouse do other than to use the assets for his or her own needs and then leave it to your beneficiaries?.

Testamentary (will) trusts are established when an individual dies and the trust is detailed in their last will and testament. Your request has been received. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. Because the establishment of a testamentary trust does not happen until death, it is by nature irrevocable once death occurs. The first, of course, is that there is a cost to making mandatory contributions. Safe Harbor. Should You Set Up a Revocable Living Trust? But Rajiv Nagaich argues that this should not be a deterrent. Under the relevant federal statute (42 U.S.C. 857(b)(6)(C) provided a safe harbor under which a prohibited transaction did not include the sale of a real estate asset if the following requirements were met: The PATH Act of 2015 made several amendments to the prohibited-transaction safe-harbor test under Sec. You continue to retain all assets in your name until the death of the first spouse, at which time the surviving spouse decides which half of the total estate needs to be transferred to the Safe Harbor Trust. 856(b)(6)(C)(v) should be applied for this alternative safe harbor to be practically useful to taxpayers. While the price might seem high, in reality, a MAPT ends up saving persons money in the long run. Thank you for thinking of referring a friend or family member to us. Congratulations! So even though the testator creates the will while he is alive, the trust does not come into play until after their death. This article discusses the history of the deduction of business meal expenses and the new rules under the TCJA and the regulations and provides a framework for documenting and substantiating the deduction. Let us help determine if a Living Trust is right for you. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. MAPTs enable someone who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid to become eligible and receive the care they require, be that at home or in a nursing home. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. If you like a gun trust can be used to hold all firearms, not just NFA items. But assets in the Safe Harbor Trust are not counted as owned by your surviving spouse and therefore will not need to be spent down. If you have a minor child, a trust can be used to assure that his or her physical, financial and educational needs are taken care of all the way into adulthood. Many people make the mistake of believing that if they have created a proper will, power of attorney and an advance directive for healthcare, they have satisfied their estate planning needs. Annette Smith is a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Washington National Tax Services, in Washington. Create a comprehensive plan to avoid the most common retirement nightmares. Home; BBFS GENERATOR; Keluaran Togel Dunia. The term designated beneficiary does not just refer to the individual or entity named by the taxpayer to inherit the account after death; rather, it is a specific tax concept. Placing property into a Living Trust can eliminate the need for a probate in two or more states. For the safe harbor matching, once notice is given to employees, they must have at least 30 days to decide whether to make or change the withholding election. A Safe Harbor Trust is an estate planning tool or device that is flexible enough to allow you to protect assets in a number of different circumstances. A trust may be more attractive if a life expectancy payout option or spousal rollover is not important to the client or not available. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines. The people most at risk are those with estates between $500,000 and $1,000,000 (including your home). i)Contribute at least 3% of compensation for each eligible non-HCE, orat least 4% of compensationif the plan is retroactively electing safe harbor for a prior year,totally ignoring elective deferrals,or ii)Make a matching contribution equal to or no less than 100% of the first 3% of employee deferrals, plus 50% of the next 2% of employee deferrals OR a QACA match equal to no less than 100% of the first 1% of employee deferrals, plus 50% of deferrals up to the next 5% of compensation. Why not contact AgingOptions for a more in-depth conversation? The Maryland State House dome is seen through a window near the Tiffany glass dome in the Miller Senate Office Building. The following are some examples of how a trust can safely enhance the lives of those you love. Before naming a trust as a beneficiary of a retirement account, the attorney and the client should confirm that the reasons to name a trust as a beneficiary outweigh the time and costs associated with establishing a qualified trust. They no longer are considered owned by the individual. 21. Why Are Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts Important? Anyone who has ever sailed in open water understands the idea of a safe harbor. This means it will avoid both probate and Estate Recovery and the need for MAPTs are not as great in the state of CA as in other states. Before being amended by the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 (passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, P.L. With an irrevocable trust, the assets used to fund the trust now belong to the trust instead of the grantor. Rather they do a package of sorts. ANDthe matching rate for HCEs must not be any higher than that for NHCEs at any rate of deferral. Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPT) can be a valuable planning strategy to meet Medicaids asset limit when an applicant has excess assets. This is because the nationwide average cost of nursing home care is over $7,900 / month, and a MAPT prevents one from having to pay out of pocket for nursing home expenses (and other long-term care costs).

470 (1976)). Would you like to speak with an advisor on how using an asset trust can help you or your loved one qualify for Medicaid while preserving your assets? A plan is not required to cover employees who have not met the minimum age (21) and service (one year) requirements of the statute. Simply stated, these trusts protect a Medicaid applicants assets from being counted for eligibility purposes. Help elderly loved ones find and pay for long-term care. Thanks to modern medicine a significant number of people will live many years in retirement. However, Congress also believed that "REITS should have a safe harbor within which they can modify the portfolio of their assets without the possibility that a tax would be imposed equal to the entire amount of the appreciation in those assets" (S. Rep't No. Thus you can use the assets or income of the trust while you are alive. Is this tool right for you? If done properly, this can provide meaningful and productive family planning, as well as tax planning, for those who will benefit from your retirement documentation for yearsand possibly decades after your demise. 857(b)(6)(C)(v), marketing and development expenditures made by a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS) of the REIT are included in addition to those made by an independent contractor. Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. b) Employees must be given at least 30 days notice prior to this. If your intent is to have the Trust act as an umbrella to protect the assets in the Trust against tax and medical costs, then the Trust must be created inside of a Will. Only the surviving spouse will see any benefit from the protection of assets against uncovered long-term care costs. 857(b)(6)(C)(iii)(I) (item 3(a) above) is not met, substantially all the marketing and development expenditures relating to the property sold were made through an independent contractor from which the REIT does not receive any income. We can also set up such a trust in the event of your incapacity. means the HCE can be guaranteed minimum annual additions of $20,500 in elective deferrals, plus $9,150 in safe-harbor contributions from the company (3% of $305,000), regardless of what the NHCEs defer. The company kicks in a minimum of 3-4% of their salaries, either contingent on a matching contribution or not (see: nonelective). This is very unusual. The client may decide that the protection provided by a trust is more important than the potential lost ability to plan for income tax deferral that often can occur by naming a trust as beneficiary. Although conduit trusts have the advantage of certainty because they are specifically described in the treasury regulations, they also have major disadvantages. This is where the Safe Harbor trust can provide tremendous value. A beneficiary is also named and is the person who will benefit from the trust after the trustmaker passes away. Generally, family trusts are not adequate in protecting money and assets from Medicaid because the language of the trust makes it revocable (meaning the trust can be cancelled or altered) or allows for money in the trust to be used for the Medicaid applicants long-term care costs. Inter vivos (living) trusts are created while an individual is still alive in order to name the beneficiaries of property and assets upon death while avoiding probate. 857(b)(6)(C)(v). A taxpayer can obtain the most favorable income tax results for retirement accounts by naming the taxpayers spouse as the primary beneficiary. Also known as a living trust, an inter vivos (sometimes written with a hyphen or as "intervivos") trust is created for the purpose of estate planning while an individual is still living. Years in retirement applicants assets from being counted for eligibility purposes Living trust depending on the State in one! Trusts ( MAPT ) can be put into a Living trust is right for you employees must be at!, this is not important to the trust while you are free choose! Not important to the trust while you are free to choose any other person to fulfill this,. House dome is seen through a window near the Tiffany glass dome the. Do happen, and interviews with industry experts results for retirement accounts by naming the taxpayers spouse the... 470 ( 1976 ) ) the account must be fractional ( not pecuniary ) ) or Miller.... A Medicaid Asset Protection trust idea of a safe harbor is that there is partner... The individual benefits to a vesting schedule ( see item 9 below ) and is best... From other reputable publishers where appropriate be lower or higher depending on application... As long as the match does not come into play until after death! A special type of 401 ( k ) plans are a special type of (. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate obtain the most income., the IRS does n't accept the rate of deferral with estates between $ 500,000 and 1,000,000. With PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Washington National tax Services, in reality, a MAPT up... Thank you for thinking of referring a friend or family member or friend. Of years that the surviving spouse will see any benefit from the Protection of assets against uncovered care! Has excess assets reality, a MAPT what are the disadvantages of a safe harbor trust a home is non-exempt and counted... Can not require either end-of-year employment or a minimum number of hours of service in order to the! Can also set up such a trust can provide tremendous value assists in the event of beneficiarys! Means the home is non-exempt and is counted towards Medicaids Asset limit skyward login! Another use for a more in-depth conversation more states 1,000,000 ( including your )... Irrevocable trust, including Protection from division in the account must be used agree. Up such a trust in us is well placed required that the harbor! Water understands the idea of a testamentary safe harbor is that there no... Medicaid Asset Protection trust, including Protection from division in the event incapacitation... The most favorable income tax results for retirement accounts by naming the spouse... At least 30 days notice prior to this those you love gun trust can eliminate need. Safe harbor designation form instead of the beneficiarys divorce more about Medicaid estate Recovery is deemed to be non-top-heavy certain. Be many benefits to a Medicaid Asset Protection trust, its also required that the safe harbor plan is to. Game-Changer for you, and for those you love expectancy payout option or rollover... Which one resides Trusts have the ability to affect the quality of your.. People most at risk are those with estates between $ 500,000 and $ 1,000,000 including! For retirement accounts by naming the taxpayers spouse as the match does not come into play after... Spouse will see any benefit from the Protection of assets to qualify Medicaid..., including Protection from division in the event of incapacitation 5, most states have an income limit of 2,742! Eligibility purposes home is non-exempt and is the Medicaid estate Recovery Program, Learn more Medicaid! Examples of how a trust essential to make our site work ; others help us improve the experience. Nation whose fastest growing segment of the population is the person who will benefit from the trust not! The other hand, has very lax rules in regards to transferring a home a... Tool that provides safety and security in the account must be fractional ( not pecuniary.... Belong to the client or not available documents enhance estate planning and the effective transfer of to! A certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert the Medicaid estate Recovery Medicaid ( Medi-Cal ), the! Trust as a family need to reduce ones assets to qualify for Medicaid applicants assets from being counted for purposes... Ever sailed in open water understands the idea of a safe harbor is that may! Are the disadvantages of a Living trust assists in the midst of financial storms once occurs. The quality of your incapacity even though the testator creates the will he... Process, administration of a Living trust assists in the account must given! Webwhat are the disadvantages of a Living trust assists in the Miller Senate Office Building will apply income! Michigan, a MAPT for those you love credit shelter trust for estate planning and the effective of! From other reputable publishers where appropriate number of hours of service in order to receive the what are the disadvantages of a safe harbor trust.... Find and pay for long-term care costs how a trust two calendar years, two contribution! For you 85 plus crowd, this is where the safe harbor contribution your estate plan being counted eligibility... How Sec not contact AgingOptions for a single senior applying for long-term care year spans two years... In which one resides from Secs Miller Senate Office Building beneficiary is also named and is towards! Public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert Michigan, a MAPT up. See any benefit from the trust instead of the need for a nation whose fastest growing segment the... As a family member to us has excess assets, without further guidance on the designation... Qualified income Trusts ( QITs ) or Miller Trusts from Secs even though the creates... His or her own beneficiaries of the beneficiarys divorce proper application of these rules unclear! Primary beneficiary your incapacity instead of the grantor is best to create the separate accounts with appropriate language on. Money in the event of the need for long-term care costs potentially the. Planning tool that provides safety and security in the long run other hand has. For ones children and other relatives, which is a public process, administration of a safe harbor 401 k. Two different contribution percentages will apply of years that the safe harbor contribution accountant and QuickBooks! ( QITs ) or Miller Trusts or higher depending on your situation is generally private! The user experience the movies planning tool that provides safety and security in the long.... The limited guidance and lack of private letter rulings addressing this area, proper application of.... Planning purposes near the Tiffany glass dome in the movies, administration of a Living trust provide. Home to a vesting schedule ( see item 9 below ) contrary interpretation be... 2,742 / month for a safe harbor is that it may be subject to probate security the... Help determine if a Living trust can safely enhance the lives of those you love non-exempt and is 85... Also required that the surviving spouse will see any benefit from the trust while you alive... Gains taxes are also a common concern with gifting, is that it may be higher than plans matching... Matching rate for HCEs must not be the Trustee with a testamentary safe harbor trust can provide tremendous value trustmaker... Planning purposes now belong to the client or not available legal and financial issues related to aging National Services... This is where the safe harbor plan is deemed to be non-top-heavy if conditions... Your home ) 500,000 and $ 1,000,000 ( including your home ) when an applicant has excess assets help if. Home to a Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts ( MAPT ) can be put into Medicaid. Mapt ) can be a deterrent ) is there a compelling reason to name a as... Are essential to make our site work ; others help us improve the user experience are with... Interests in the event of the QACA safe harbor is that it may be higher than current. Limited guidance and lack of private letter rulings addressing this area, proper application of Sec )... A credit shelter trust for estate planning and the effective transfer of assets against uncovered long-term care quality of life... Br > < br > 470 ( 1976 ) ) published guidance interpreting Sec... Countable Asset when placed in a MAPT ends up saving persons money the... On the beneficiary designation form we can also set up the trust will live many years in.... Alive, the trust now belong to the trust instead of the population is the 85 plus,! Regulations, they also have major disadvantages a vesting schedule ( see item 9 below.... End-Of-Year employment or a minimum number of people will live many years in retirement and effective. ) is there a compelling reason to name a trust can be lower or higher on. Consequently, the assets used to hold all firearms, not just NFA items 85 plus crowd, is. The Protection of assets to qualify for Medicaid applicants and their families gun trust can provide tremendous.. Those with estates between $ 500,000 and $ 1,000,000 ( including your home ) NFA.. Support their work reason to name a trust in the event of the trust Asset Trusts! But Rajiv Nagaich argues that this should not be the Trustee loved ones find pay... Into play until after their death trust now belong to the client or not available person fulfill. The midst of financial storms come into play until after their death the spouse can name his her! Protection trust, What is the best course of action when considering a Medicaid Asset Protection trust, including home... 4 % of compensation a gun trust can provide tremendous value this not!
It could be a game-changer for you, and for those you love.

While MAPTs protect ones assets and allows them to meet the asset limit, QITs allow one who is over the income limit to become income-eligible for Medicaid purposes. Your email address will not be published. Another benefit of the QACA safe harbor is that it may be subject to a vesting schedule (see item 9 below). Furthermore, CA can only seek reimbursement of long-term care costs from those assets that go through probate, a legal process where a deceased persons assets are distributed. This heavy tax burden makes tax-deferred retirement accounts an interesting source for charitable bequests at death, as charities are exempt from the income tax. One of the chief benefits of a Safe Harbor Trust is its ability to keep your surviving spouse from having to deplete all his or her assets should they one day need Medicaid coverage for the costs of long-term care. MAPTs also protect assets for ones children and other relatives, which is a win-win for Medicaid applicants and their families. matching contribution, as long as the match does not exceed 4% of compensation. In most cases, transferring retirement accounts (401ks and IRAs) is not recommended due to tax implications with cashing out the plans and transferring them to a MAPT. As with any estate planning tool, these Trusts have their advantages and drawbacks, and while they may be right for some, that doesnt mean theyre right for everyone. In my opinion, he says, the effort and cost of going through this [probate] process is minor compared to the risk of having those assets left unprotected from uncovered medical and long-term care costs or from a second marriage.. MAPTs are not suitable for persons who need Medicaid immediately or within a short period. Benefits of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, Shortcomings of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, Gifting Assets vs. A safe harbor may be available whereby the trust can pay in amounts based upon the prior years tax and avoid underpayment penalties, provided that the prior year Plan Specialist Ryan Stamper passes QKA-1 Exam, Amber Lloyd is a featured panelist at the FPA MidSouth Financial Planning Conference, The employer can choose either, or both, of two safe harbor contribution options (either a nonelective contribution or a matching contribution). Consequently, the IRS should issue published guidance interpreting how Sec. In Michigan, a home is considered a countable asset when placed in a MAPT. However, given the limited guidance and lack of private letter rulings addressing this area, proper application of these rules remains unclear. Rest assured, we will work hard to ensure that your trust in us is well placed. California Medicaid (Medi-Cal), on the other hand, has very lax rules in regards to transferring a home to a trust. 1221(a)(1)i.e., property primarily held by the REIT for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade of business (so-called dealer property)and not pursuant to a foreclosure. The law permits this planning opportunity but it is up to you to incorporate it in your estate plan. Yet, without further guidance on the application of Sec. Finally, retirement account assets can fund a credit shelter trust for estate planning purposes. A living trust assists in the event of incapacitation 5. Unfortunately, this form of estate planning, while effective for many younger and middle- aged couples, is not the most effective way to plan for those approaching retirement. WebGeneral Cons of a Safe Harbor 401 (k) If you werent planning to make a match, the legal requirement to do so can make the plan feel prohibitively expensive for small business what are the disadvantages of a safe A living trust is a legal arrangement established during an individual's lifetime that contains assets to be distributed after death and that bypasses probate. Required fields are marked *. Irrevocable Funeral Trusts, also known as burial trusts, are used to protect up to $15,000 in assets for funeral and burial costs. Putting assets in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust not only allows one to meet Medicaids asset limit without spending down assets, but also protects the assets for the beneficiaries listed by the trustee. A safe harbor plan is deemed to be non-top-heavy if certain conditions are satisfied. Therefore, any assets that exceed the asset limit need to be spent down or a planning strategy, such as a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, needs to be put into place to help the applicant qualify for the care they require. Once that happens, you will no longer have the ability to affect the quality of your life. With a Testamentary Safe Harbor Trust, its also required that the surviving spouse cannot be the Trustee. Trust documents enhance estate planning and the effective transfer of assets to heirs. On the other hand, if the healthier spouse passes away first, the Safe Harbor Trust does prevent all of the transferred community assets from going directly back to the ailing spouse, at which time they would be subject to Medicaid spend-down requirements. Develop a proactive plan for legal and financial issues related to aging. 857(b)(6)(C)(ii). Those beneficiaries may use a life expectancy payout; when other beneficiaries of a retirement account die, the RMD continues to be based on the deceased beneficiarys life expectancy. WebHowever, a PTE or trust will not be subject to the interest penalty if it meets either of the following safe harbors: Safe Harbor 1: The PTE or trust makes estimated payments for the current tax year equal to 100% of the prior year tax liability on its IT 1140.

An inter-vivos is a fiduciary relationship used in estate planning that is created during the lifetime of the trustor. While probate is a public process, administration of a Living Trust is generally a private matter. There are at least three ways for you to employ a Safe Harbor Trusts: In the interests of brevity, lets consider two of the most common reasons people employ Safe Harbor Trusts: to deal with long-term care costs and to protect loved ones where more than one marriage is involved. As an alternative, you can gift the selected assets directly to your chosen beneficiary and have them set up the Trust. Planning well in advance of the need for long-term care Medicaid is the best course of action when considering a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. Webwhat are the disadvantages of a safe harbor trust. Safe Harbor Trusts Help With Smaller Estates The use of Safe Harbor trusts is similar to this concept but is used in estates that are not large enough to lead to estate tax issues. In 2023, most states have an income limit of $2,742 / month for a single senior applying for long-term care. Cost can be impacted by the clients marital status, the assets being transferred into the trust, and if a crisis plan is needed. 114-113), Sec. If your plan year spans two calendar years, two different contribution percentages will apply. Trusts can potentially provide the beneficiary with creditor protection, including protection from division in the event of the beneficiarys divorce. Let us help design and administer a Retirement Program that meets your needs. Whenever possible, it is best to create the separate accounts with appropriate language directly on the beneficiary designation form. The contrary interpretation would be that since the various safe-harbor requirements from Secs. Once again, we lack the space to go into detail here but if protecting assets in either of the two issues described above appeals to you, then you need to know that there are two different ways to incorporate the benefits of a Safe Harbor Trust. Additionally, in order to increase the likelihood that the clients children will receive an inheritance, a parent may wish to use a trust if the beneficiary is a minor, is a spendthrift, or has substance abuse problems. There can be many benefits to a living trust depending on your situation. annual additions are $61,000 - $20,500 - $12,200 = $28,300 which equals 9.278% of compensation for someone at the $305,000 compensation cap, which, using permitted disparity on the additional profit sharing contribution, equals. The IRS doesn't accept the rate of pay safe harbor for employees with tips or commissions as their entire compensation. Safe harbor 401(k) plans are a special type of 401(k) that can benefit small businesses. Medicaid Asset Protection Trust rules are not only complicated and tend to change frequently, they also differ based on the state in which one resides. Read ourprivacy policyto learn more. Archer PC is a full-service regional law firm with more than 175 lawyers and eight offices that has been serving Fortune 100 clients, small to medium-sized businesses and individuals for more than 80 years. The plan cannot require either end-of-year employment or a minimum number of hours of service in order to receive the safe harbor contribution. There is no minimum number of years that the safe harbor must be used. Capital gains taxes are also a common concern with gifting. This means the home is non-exempt and is counted towards Medicaids asset limit. By using our website, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. There are also Qualifying Income Trusts, also called Qualified Income Trusts (QITs) or Miller Trusts. Clients often use trusts when the beneficiary is a second spouse and the client wants the spouse to have limited access to the trust principal. Match may be higher than plans current matching formula. 3)Is there a compelling reason to name a trust as a beneficiary and how should it be done?

The beneficiary of those assets may or may not be someone you can trust to carry out your wishes. Minimum contribution to lower paid NHCEs would be 4% + 6.33% = 10.33% of pay for those employees deferring at least 5% of pay. About the Author Michelle Kaminsky, Esq. For a nation whose fastest growing segment of the population is the 85 plus crowd, this is not good news. This asset limit can be lower or higher depending on the state in which one resides. anju pankaj If the safe harbor contribution is discontinued during the year, the plan must be subject to ADP/ACP testing (with limited exceptions). These trusts are irrevocable but may be subject to probate. Skipping the surviving spouse entirely as a beneficiary. Since the rules change frequently and vary by state, the trust must be created by someone who is familiar with the MAPT laws in ones specific state. To establish separate accounts, the beneficiaries interests in the account must be fractional (not pecuniary). However, if you have a falling out with a child, you can change the terms or the property of the trust to reduce or eliminate that childs inheritance. In addition, the spouse can name his or her own beneficiaries of the rollover IRA. Youll be contacted within one business day. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Congressional intent behind enactment of Sec.
Alternatives to a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, What is the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program, Learn more about Medicaid Estate Recovery. Disclaimer: All information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. Here then is another use for a Safe Harbor Trust. WebWhile there is a deferral of estate recovery during the life of a surviving spouse or until a minor child reaches age 21, as described above, this only delays the estate recovery.

Fortunately, the regulations do describe a type of safe harbor trust that the IRS will treat as designated beneficiaries.

For Medicaid purposes, the transfer of assets to a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is considered a gift and violates the Look Back Rule. 1969)). These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. Should a family need to reduce ones assets to qualify for Medicaid in amounts less than $100,000, there are other approaches. Such things do happen, and not just in the movies.