At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we help Ashland families figure out what happens to the house, the savings, and everything as you or a parent ages.
We have focused on Ohio elder law and Medicaid planning since 2002, and we are a BBB A+ accredited firm and a member of Ohio NAELA, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. If a parent was just admitted to a nursing home and no planning is in place, you are not too late to get help.
Most of the work is Medicaid planning, like understanding which assets Ohio counts, which ones are protected, and what your family can still legally do. Medicaid pays nursing home bills once a person qualifies, and it reviews five years of financial records before approving anyone.
We explain your options clearly so you understand all of your choices. You can also start with one of our free workshops if you would rather learn before you commit to anything.
How Ohio Spousal Protections Work in Ashland
Ohio law does not require the at-home spouse to go broke. The community spouse resource allowance, or CSRA, lets the spouse remaining at home keep a set share of the couple’s countable assets, plus a minimum monthly income allowance.
The house is generally not counted while a spouse lives there. Families lose these protections most often by never claiming them, not by being ineligible. Reviewing your situation with a Medicaid planning attorney early tells you which protections apply to your family specifically.
What Clients Say About Brumbaugh Law Firm
“We were going to lose our house, cars, everything… we were able to keep our house and cars.” John W.
Families facing long-term care costs often assume everything is already lost. It usually is not.
“Michael was so helpful in explaining issues in a way that we could understand… without a doubt, he puts his heart into his work.” David H.
Plain answers, no jargon, so you can make decisions without guessing.
“We both feel a lot better and relieved that everything will be taken care of as we get older. A huge burden off of our shoulders and our children’s plates.” James & Linda T.
The goal is a plan that lifts weight off the adult children doing the caregiving.
“I had tried to deal with the Veterans Administration on my own… it was a nightmare. Mike did a fantastic job, he took care of everything. He’s a very caring person.” Robert S.
Benefit systems like Medicaid and VA have their own rules and timelines, and having someone handle the paperwork matters.
“Everyone there went out of their way to make things pleasant… Even today, I know if I should ever need further assistance, I can call and be treated wonderfully well.” Karen B.
Support does not end when the documents are signed.
Our Elder Law Services in Ashland
- Probate Lawyer
- Elder Law Lawyer
- Trust & Will Lawyer
- Asset Protection Lawyer
- Long-Term Care Lawyer
- Medicaid Crisis Planning Lawyer
- Medicaid Planning Lawyer
- Estate Planning Lawyer
- Care Navigation Lawyer
- Power of Attorney Lawyer
- Memory Care Lawyer
Get Trusted Legal Support Today
For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Brumbaugh Law. Call (419) 504-4674 to schedule your consultation.
What Makes an Elder Law Attorney Different in Ohio?
An elder law attorney focuses on the legal and financial issues that tend to become more important as people age. While a traditional estate planning attorney may concentrate primarily on wills, trusts, and what happens to property after death, elder law also addresses decisions that can arise during a person’s lifetime.
In Ohio, that can include planning for long-term care, navigating Medicaid eligibility, protecting assets when nursing home care becomes necessary, establishing powers of attorney, and preparing for situations in which someone can no longer manage their own financial or personal affairs.
For Ohio families, working with an elder law attorney can help bring these issues into one coordinated plan rather than addressing estate planning, long-term care, benefits, and incapacity separately.
Why Choose Brumbaugh Law Firm in Ashland
Education Before Commitment
Our free “3 Secrets of Estate Planning and Asset Protection” workshop explains how Medicaid, the look-back period, and long-term care costs really work before you spend a dollar or sign anything.
You decide what to do after you understand your options, not before. That approach has held up for 22 years, backed by a 5.0-star rating, BBB A+ accreditation, and membership in Ohio NAELA.
Fully Implemented Plans, Not Half-Done Documents
A plan only protects your family if it is finished. We handle the follow-through: retitling accounts, funding trusts, and getting the Power of Attorney signed and in the right hands.
We stay out of litigation so your energy goes toward care, not conflict. For families facing an admission that already happened, Medicaid crisis planning is often still on the table.
Does Your Current Estate Plan Actually Address Ohio Nursing Home Costs and Medicaid?
Most basic estate plans are not designed to answer what happens financially when someone needs long-term nursing home care. A will, Power of Attorney, and simple revocable living trust can all serve important purposes, but having these documents does not necessarily mean your assets are protected from long-term care costs.
This gap often becomes apparent when a parent enters a nursing home and the family realizes how quickly the cost of care can affect savings and other assets.
At that point, questions may arise about which assets count toward Medicaid eligibility, what a spouse can keep, whether prior gifts or transfers create problems, and how the five-year Medicaid look-back period affects the available options.
Even if a nursing home stay has already begun, families should not assume it is too late to plan and protect assets. The available strategies may be different than they would have been several years earlier, but an Ohio elder law attorney can review the existing estate plan, identify what it does and does not protect, and determine what options remain.
The Team Behind Brumbaugh Law Firm
Michael Brumbaugh started Brumbaugh Law Firm in 2002. Over more than twenty years Michael, and his wife Pam (who is a licensed social worker and not an attorney), have helped Ohio families plan ahead with confidence and care, growing from a general law office into an elder law and estate planning firm built on education, honesty, and community ties.
Michael believes families make the best decisions when they truly understand their options. Pam comes from a social work background and walks families through hard conversations with patience and clarity.
Our Process for Ashland Families
1. Start with a free workshop or introductory call
Attend our free “3 Secrets of Estate Planning and Asset Protection” workshop or schedule a call to learn your options first. Nothing is signed and no fee is owed at this stage.
2. Sit down and look at your family’s real situation
We review your parent’s assets, the family home, health status, and what long-term care they need now or soon. Bring what you have and we will tell you what else matters.
3. Build the plan
We design a plan that fits Ohio Medicaid rules, your parent’s situation, and how your family actually works.
4. Review it together before anyone signs
You and your family go through the options with us until you understand what each one does and what it costs your family to choose it. You decide from there, not us.
5. Put the plan in place
Documents get signed, accounts and property get titled correctly, and any trusts get funded. A plan that sits half-finished protects no one.
6. Stay available as things change
Health, finances, and Ohio rules all shift over time. We are here to update the plan when they do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elder Law
How much does elder law and Medicaid planning cost in Ohio, and can my family afford it?
Fees depend entirely on your situation, so no honest attorney can quote a price before understanding what you are dealing with. The firm’s free workshops on estate planning and asset protection or Medicaid cost nothing at all.
What is the Ohio Medicaid look-back period and how does it affect my parent’s application?
The look-back period is the five years before a Medicaid application, during which the state reviews gifts and transfers of money or property. If your parent gave away assets during that window, Ohio can impose a penalty period where Medicaid will not pay for nursing home care.
Is it too late to do anything if my parent is already in a nursing home?
No. Planning options often still exist after admission, and Ohio law recognizes several transfers and tools that are not penalized even at the crisis stage.
Can I protect the family home from Medicaid estate recovery in Ohio?
Ohio runs a Medicaid estate recovery program that seeks repayment from the estate of someone who received Medicaid benefits after age 55, and the home is usually the largest asset involved. The home is generally not counted while your parent is alive and a spouse or certain relatives live there, but recovery can come later.
What is the difference between a power of attorney and a guardianship in Ohio?
A Power of Attorney is a document your parent signs while they still have the mental capacity to understand it, naming someone to handle finances or health decisions. A guardianship is a court case in Probate Court, filed after capacity is gone, where a judge appoints someone to make decisions.
How do I know if my parent needs a guardian or if a power of attorney is enough?
If your parent can still understand what they are signing, a properly drafted Power of Attorney is almost always the better path. If a doctor has determined they no longer have that capacity and no documents exist, guardianship through the county Probate Court may be the only remaining option.
What happens if a family member needs a nursing home in Ashland County and there is no plan in place?
Care starts immediately and the family pays privately until assets drop to Ohio’s Medicaid limits, which for a single applicant is a very small amount of countable resources. Nursing home costs in this part of Ohio commonly run thousands of dollars per month, so savings can disappear quickly.
Does Brumbaugh Law Firm help families in Ashland County?
Yes. The firm has served Ohio families since 2002 and works with families across northern Ohio, including Ashland County, on Medicaid, long-term care, and estate planning matters.
Local Resources in Ashland for Elder Law
- Ashland County Probate Court
Handles guardianship proceedings, estate administration, and related civil matters.
- Ashland County Common Pleas Court
The general trial court overseeing civil and criminal cases at the county level.
- Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services
Administers Medicaid applications, public assistance programs, and adult protective services.
- Ashland County Council on Aging
Coordinates support services and programs for older adults in the county.
- Ohio Benefits, Ashland County
Local access point for applying for and managing state benefit programs including Medicaid.
- Samaritan Regional Health System
The primary hospital serving the area, often involved in care planning and medical decision-making.
- Ashland County Veterans Service Commission
Assists veterans and their dependents in accessing benefits and financial aid.
- Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman, District 5
Advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the region.
- Ashland County Commissioners
The governing body that oversees county policy, budgets, and certain public services.
Talk to an Elder Lawyer in Ashland, OH
If your parent is in a nursing home and you are trying to figure out what happens to the house and the savings, the next step is a free consultation with Brumbaugh Law Firm. We will walk through where things stand, what Medicaid rules apply, and what options are still open to your family.
Call us today to schedule a consultation or join one of our upcoming workshops.
