Transferring Title of Home to Avoid Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Can Have Terrible Consequences
Too often seniors have told me that due to their concerns about Medi-Cal estate recovery, they have either transferred title to their home to their adult child, or other non-family member, or added them to title. Under most, if not all circumstances, seniors should avoid this option to protect them from Medi-Cal estate recovery. Medi-Cal is a joint federal and state program that provides financial assistance for low-income individuals so they can afford medical and long term care. When a Medi-Cal recipient dies, the state may try to recover repayment from the deceased’s estate. It has been my experience that this estate recovery option causes many seniors to be overly concerned about holding onto title of their homes during their lifetimes. Many seniors do not realize that Medi-Cal will not pursue estate recovery until the recipient and surviving spouse (if married) die. Rarely, if ever, is it wise for seniors to transfer title of their homes or add a child or another personto title to protect the home from...
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