Pros and Cons of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
Entrusted Legacy Law
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Mar 03, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is one option a person may consider to protect their assets from Medicaid and nursing homes or long-term care.
What Is a MAPT?
A MAPT is an irrevocable trust created during your lifetime. The primary goal of a MAPT is to transfer assets to it so that Medicaid won't count these assets toward your resource limit when determining whether you qualify for Medicaid benefits. However, creating an irrevocable trust comes with a certain lack of control over the assets you transfer to this trust. Before making such a significant decision, consider some pros and cons to see if this long-term care strategy is right for you.
Benefits of a MAPT
1. You Can Still Benefit From the Assets of a MAPT
Although transfers of assets to a MAPT cause you to relinquish your ownership and control of them, the finality of the arrangement isn't as harsh as it sounds.
In creating a MAPT, you select a person (trustee) who manages the trust assets for your benefit. So, if you transfer investment accounts to the MAPT, you can still receive the income generated from these investments. If you transfer your home, you can still live there. In exchange for giving up control of your assets to a MAPT, your assets no longer count against you for Medicaid eligibility purposes.
2. Your Assets Are Safe From Medicaid and Other Long-Term Care Creditors
Once your assets are in a MAPT and other criteria are met, Medicaid can’t seize them or ask you to spend them down to pay for your nursing home or long-term care costs. These assets also aren't subject to Medicaid’s estate recovery program.
As a result, your heirs can benefit from the assets without the interference of Medicaid or liens it could otherwise file against your estate after you pass.
3. You Can Choose Your Beneficiaries
A MAPT also functions as an estate planning tool. This is because you can designate who receives what remains of the trust upon your passing. The beneficiaries you choose will receive the assets per the terms of the trust agreement, and the chances of a probate court getting involved are diminished.
In addition, you may be able to retain what is called a “limited power of appointment.” This allows you to change who the beneficiaries of the MAPT will be, should your wishes or family circumstances change.
4. Assets Are Protected From Your Beneficiaries’ Creditors
Even though you can designate a MAPT’s beneficiaries now, those beneficiaries don't have full access to the trust’s assets because of how it's structured. This also means their creditors don't have access to it. And, if your child is a beneficiary and is going through a messy divorce, neither does their spouse. You can also designate how bequests to beneficiaries can be used.
5. Protection From Capital Gains Taxes
A properly drafted MAPT preserves the full capital gains tax exclusion on the primary residence (currently $250,000 per spouse). Later, when a person’s beneficiaries sell the home, it would be valued at the market price at the date of gifting and not at the original purchase price. This can avoid or significantly minimize the capital gains tax that your heirs may owe.
Drawbacks of MAPTS
1. Timing Is Everything
For a MAPT to function as intended, it needs to be created in advance to avoid the Medicaid lookback period. In most states, this is five years for nursing home or institutional care. In some states, there may also be a lookback period for community Medicaid care (home aides, local programs, etc.).
If less than five years have elapsed since you created your MAPT, you may still be responsible for some or all of your long-term care costs until sufficient time has passed.
2. Income From MAPT Is Countable by Medicaid
Although assets in a MAPT may not be “countable” by Medicaid toward your resource limit, these assets may still generate income. If this income is payable to you, it may cause you to exceed the income limit permitted in your state.
If this happens to you, you may have other options, such as utilizing a pooled income trust, or may decide you will contribute partially toward your care.
3. Giving Up Control Is Non-Negotiable
A trust won't qualify as a MAPT if you retain control other than the limited power of appointment that may be permitted in your situation. You must accept that a person you select to act as trustee will manage the trust, distribute funds and income from the trust, and also be the effective owner of the assets.
In addition, creating a MAPT but not transferring assets to it is ineffective. You need to fully commit to the concept for it to benefit you.
4. Setting Up a MAPT Is Costly
Creating and implementing a MAPT is a complex legal task requiring many hours of work and expenditures made on your behalf. In addition, because MAPTs are tied to individual state and federal laws, the expertise of a qualified Medicaid attorney is essential.
You should expect that this expertise comes at the cost of several thousand dollars or more. However, your potential savings could be exponentially greater for you and your family. For this reason, the price is often well worth it.
5. Potential Effects on Care
It’s important to realize that while the MAPT strategy is designed to preserve assets and wealth, it assumes that a person will rely on Medicaid to pay for a portion of their care. However, Medicaid doesn't cover all facilities. For example, many assisted living facilities aren't licensed as assisted living programs and only accept private pay residents. Thus, relying on Medicaid could affect the choice and quality of care a person may receive.
The pros and cons discussed above are not exhaustive, and there may be other ones that apply to your situation. Investing in a MAPT is a highly fact-specific process, and MAPTs aren't suitable for everyone.
You should speak with us to discuss how a MAPT may affect other benefits you receive, your overall estate plan, its tax consequences, and whether it's right for you.
This article is a service of Sharek Law Office, LLC. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life and Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life and Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge. Please note this is educational content only and is not intended to act as legal advice.
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This process is essential for: Proving the validity of a will Appointing an executor (if there is a will) or an administrator (if there is no will) Inventorying and appraising estate property Paying outstanding debts, estate taxes, and creditors Distributing assets as directed by the willor by Pennsylvania intestacy laws if no will existsIn Pennsylvania, if a deceased person owned real estate or assets solely in their name, their estate must go through probate before assets can be legally distributed.The Downsides of Pennsylvania Probateand What You Can Do NextMany residents in Allegheny County, Butler County, Beaver County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County have heard that probate is a lengthy, expensive, and public process. Unfortunately, this is truewithout proper estate planning, probate can be costly and time-consuming.The best way to avoid probate in Pennsylvania is to plan ahead using strategies such as revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership structures. However, if you are already in a position where probate is required, the best thing you can do is educate yourself and seek experienced probate legal assistance to complete the process as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.How Is a Probate Case Started in Pennsylvania?Probate can be initiated by any beneficiary or creditor, but most often, the process begins when the Executor named in the will files the original will and a petition with the Pennsylvania probate court.If there is no will, a close relative of the deceased (such as a spouse, child, or sibling) typically files the petition to become the Administrator of the Estate.Choosing the Executor for a Pennsylvania EstateIf a valid will exists, the individual named as Executor will handle the probate processif they are eligible and willingIf no Executor is available or no will exists, any interested party (such as a family member) can petition the Pennsylvania Orphans' Court to be appointed as the Administrator of the Estate.Executor Compensation in PennsylvaniaUnder Pennsylvania probate law, Executors and Administrators receive compensation based on a percentage of the total probate estate value. This is designed to fairly compensate them for their time and effort in managing estate matters.However, Executors can be held personally liable for any mistakes made during the process. Given the complexity of Pennsylvania probate rules, its critical to work with a skilled probate attorney to avoid legal pitfalls.Do You Need to Go Through Probate If a Trust Exists?In most cases, no. If the deceaseds assets were properly titled in the name of a trust, probate is not required. Instead, the successor trustee will work with an estate planning lawyer to administer the trust and distribute assets.However, many families are surprised to learn that simply having a trust does not guarantee that probate will be avoided. Common mistakes include: The trust was not updated over time to reflect new assets. The decedents assets were never properly transferred into the trust.To ensure your estate plan works as intended, its important to work with an estate planning attorney who provides ongoing trust maintenance and reviews.Which Assets Are Subject to Probate in Pennsylvania?Assets that must go through probate include: Real estate, bank accounts, or investments owned solely in the deceaseds name Personal property and valuable assets without a beneficiary designationAssets that bypass probate include: Jointly owned property with Right of Survivorship Bank accounts or investment accounts with Transfer on Death (TOD) or Payable on Death (POD) designations Life insurance policies and retirement accounts with named beneficiariesHowever, some assets that normally bypass probate can still become subject to the process under certain circumstances. Consult with a Pennsylvania probate attorney to determine if probate applies to your specific situation.How Pennsylvania Intestacy Laws Distribute an Estate When There Is No WillIf no valid will exists, Pennsylvania intestacy laws dictate how the estate will be distributed:1 Spouse (If married, a portion or all of the estate goes to the spouse)2 Children (If the deceased had children, they inherit next)3 Parents (If there are no children, parents inherit)4 Siblings (If no spouse, children, or parents, siblings inherit)This highlights the importance of estate planningwithout a will or trust, the state determines who receives your assets.How Long Does Pennsylvania Probate Take?The timeline for Pennsylvania probate varies depending on the estates complexity. On average: Minimum of 12 months for simple cases Up to 2+ years for complex estates, disputes, or tax-related mattersWhat Are the Costs of Probate in Pennsylvania?Probate costs in Pennsylvania include: Attorneys fees (Based on estate size and complexity) Court filing fees Executor fees (set by Pennsylvania law) Appraisal and valuation fees Publication and administrative costsIn more complex estates, additional fees may apply, increasing probate expenses and delays.How to Choose the Right Pennsylvania Probate AttorneySelecting the right probate lawyer in Pennsylvania is crucial. Many general practice lawyers dabble in probate law, but only experienced probate attorneys have the knowledge to navigate complex estate matters efficiently. You do NOT have to use the attorney who prepared the will. You have the right to choose a specialized probate lawyer who understands the nuances of Pennsylvania estate law and can expedite the process. Avoid costly mistakes. Working with an experienced probate attorney prevents errors that could increase costs, cause delays, or result in legal disputes.Contact Entrusted Legacy Law for a Complimentary Pennsylvania Probate ConsultationIf youre ready to begin the probate process in Pennsylvania, our Allegheny County and Butler County probate attorneys are here to guide you.Call us at 412-347-1731 to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to determine your next best steps.During your consultation, we will: Answer your probate-related questions Provide guidance on estate administration Help you navigate the Pennsylvania probate process efficientlyWe are here to relieve the legal and administrative burden during this difficult time and ensure that your loved ones estate is handled with care.