Denham Springs Medicaid Qualifying Attorneys
Protecting Your Care. Preserving Your Assets.
Planning for long-term care is one of the most important and emotional legal decisions families in Denham Springs and Livingston Parish will ever face. Medicaid qualifying is not about avoiding responsibility. It is about understanding the rules, protecting a lifetime of savings, and ensuring access to quality care without financially devastating a spouse or family.
At Losavio & DeJean, L.L.C., our Denham Springs Medicaid qualifying attorneys help individuals, couples, and families navigate Louisiana Medicaid eligibility rules with clarity and confidence. We assist clients throughout Denham Springs, Watson, Walker, and the surrounding Livingston Parish area with Medicaid planning strategies that comply with Louisiana law while preserving assets and dignity.
Whether you are planning ahead, facing an urgent nursing home placement, or trying to protect a healthy spouse at home, our team provides practical, Louisiana-specific guidance every step of the way.
Why Families in Denham Springs Choose Losavio & DeJean for Medicaid Planning
Medicaid qualifying in Louisiana is not one-size-fits-all. It requires careful legal analysis, timing, and compliance with state-specific rules
Families in Denham Springs trust Losavio & DeJean because we offer:
Louisiana-Specific Medicaid Experience
Medicaid rules vary by state. We plan specifically for Louisiana Medicaid, including long-term care and community-based services.
Certified Elder Law Leadership
Peter J. Losavio, Jr., J.D., CELA, is the only Certified Elder Law Attorney in Louisiana, bringing nationally recognized expertise to every Medicaid case.
Customized Planning Strategies
Every family’s financial picture is different. We design Medicaid plans based on marital status, health, assets, income, and family goals.
Spousal Protection Focus
We prioritize protecting the healthy spouse from impoverishment while securing care for the spouse who needs assistance.
Guidance Before and During a Crisis
Whether you are planning years in advance or responding to an immediate need, we help you make informed, lawful decisions.
From Juban Crossing to the Antique Village and throughout Livingston Parish, families rely on our firm to navigate Medicaid planning the right way.
Understanding Medicaid Qualifying in Louisiana
Medicaid is a needs-based program that helps pay for long-term care when personal resources are limited. In Louisiana, Medicaid can cover:
Nursing home care
Certain assisted living services
Home and community-based services
Long-term medical care for eligible individuals
However, qualifying for Medicaid requires meeting strict income and asset limits, along with detailed documentation and compliance with complex rules.
Medicaid Is Not the Same as Medicare
Many families confuse Medicare and Medicaid, but they serve very different purposes:
Without planning, many families spend their life savings on care before realizing Medicaid could have helped.
Louisiana Medicaid Financial Eligibility Basics
To qualify for long-term care Medicaid in Louisiana, an applicant must meet both income limits and asset limits.
Asset Limits
In general:
- A single individual may only own a limited amount of countable assets.
- A married applicant may have additional protections for the healthy spouse, known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance.
Countable assets may include:
- Bank accounts
- Investment accounts
- Non-exempt real estate
- Cash value of life insurance
Non-countable assets often include:
- A primary residence (up to certain equity limits)
- One vehicle
- Personal belongings
- Certain burial arrangements
The classification of assets is critical. Small mistakes can delay or deny Medicaid eligibility.
Income Limits
Louisiana Medicaid also has monthly income limits. If income exceeds the limit, legal planning tools may be used to address excess income while remaining compliant.
The Five-Year Look-Back Rule
One of the most misunderstood Medicaid rules is the five-year look-back period.
When someone applies for Medicaid, Louisiana reviews financial transactions made during the previous five years. This includes:
Gifts to children or grandchildren
Transfers of property
Selling assets for less than fair market value
Certain trust funding transactions
If improper transfers are found, Medicaid may impose a penalty period during which benefits are denied, even if the applicant otherwise qualifies.
Why Timing Matters
Planning early allows families to use lawful strategies before the look-back window creates risk. Even in crisis situations, there may still be options available.
Medicaid Planning for Married Couples in Denham Springs
One of the greatest fears families face is that a spouse will be left with nothing when the other spouse enters a nursing home.
Louisiana Medicaid includes protections designed to prevent spousal impoverishment, but these protections must be applied correctly.
Community Spouse Protections
The healthy spouse, known as the community spouse, may be entitled to:
A portion of the couple’s assets
A monthly income allowance
Continued use of the marital home
Without legal guidance, families often misunderstand these rights or fail to take full advantage of them.
Strategic Planning Options
Depending on the situation, strategies may include:
Asset reallocation
Medicaid-compliant annuities
Income redirection
Use of exempt resources
Each strategy must be carefully coordinated to avoid penalties.
Medicaid Planning Tools We Use
Our Denham Springs Medicaid qualifying attorneys use proven, Louisiana-compliant tools, including:
Irrevocable Trusts
Certain irrevocable trusts may help protect assets when created and funded properly. These trusts must be carefully drafted to comply with Medicaid rules.
Medicaid-Compliant Annuities
In appropriate cases, annuities can convert countable assets into an income stream for the healthy spouse while preserving eligibility.
Spend-Down Planning
Spend-down does not mean wasting money. We help families spend assets in ways that improve quality of life while reducing countable resources, such as:
- Home improvements
- Debt repayment
- Medical equipment
- Burial planning
Income Management Strategies
When income exceeds Medicaid limits, legal strategies may help redirect or shelter excess income while maintaining eligibility.
Crisis Medicaid Planning
Many families contact us during a crisis, such as an unexpected hospitalization or sudden nursing home placement.
Even when care is needed immediately, options may still exist. Crisis planning focuses on:
Minimizing penalty periods
Preserving as many assets as possible
Securing care quickly
Timing is critical. Early legal involvement can make a significant difference.
Medicaid and the Family Home
The home is often a family’s most valuable asset, both financially and emotionally.
Is the Home Countable?
In many cases, the primary residence is exempt while the Medicaid recipient is alive. However, this does not mean the home is fully protected.
Medicaid Estate Recovery
After death, Louisiana may seek repayment through the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program.
Proper planning may help:
- Protect the home for a surviving spouse
- Preserve the home for children or heirs
- Avoid forced sale after death
Medicaid Estate Recovery in Louisiana
Even after qualifying for Medicaid, planning is not finished.
Louisiana may attempt to recover costs from a recipient’s estate after death. This process can affect:
Homes
Bank accounts
Other probate assets
We help families plan proactively to reduce or avoid estate recovery when legally possible.
Medicaid Planning for Veterans and Their Spouses
Veterans and surviving spouses may be eligible for VA benefits, including Aid and Attendance.
Kent S. DeJean is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and helps clients:
Coordinate VA benefits with Medicaid
Avoid benefit conflicts
Maximize available resources
Proper coordination can significantly improve long-term care affordability.
Common Medicaid Mistakes We Help Denham Springs Families Avoid
Without proper guidance, families often make costly mistakes, including:
Giving away assets too late
Using non-Louisiana legal forms
Relying on nursing home advice instead of legal counsel
Misunderstanding spousal protections
Failing to plan for estate recovery
Our role is to prevent these errors before they cause permanent harm.
Our Medicaid Planning Process
1. Initial Consultation to understand health, finances, and goals
2. Eligibility Analysis under Louisiana Medicaid rules
3. Strategy Design tailored to your family
4. Document Preparation and Implementation
5. Application Support and follow-up
6. Ongoing Guidance as circumstances change
Meet Our Denham Springs Medicaid Planning Attorneys
Peter J. Losavio, Jr.
Attorney
Peter J. Losavio, Jr., J.D., CELA, has been practicing law for over 40 years as a member of Losavio & DeJean, L.L.C. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation—one of approximately 500 attorneys in the United States to hold this certification and the only Certified Elder Law Attorney in Louisiana. Peter’s practice centers on estate planning, elder law, long-term care planning, and succession work with an emphasis on Louisiana’s civil law requirements. Clients value his clear explanations, meticulous drafting, and practical strategies that protect families across generations.
Kent S. DeJean
Attorney
Kent S. DeJean is an accomplished attorney who specializes in Veterans Affairs and is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Born in Opelousas, Louisiana, and a graduate of Opelousas Catholic High School, Kent brings a service-oriented approach to estate planning, succession, and benefits coordination for veterans and their families. He helps clients integrate VA benefits with broader estate plans, ensuring documents, titling, and beneficiary designations work together seamlessly.
Meghan E. Conques
Attorney
Meghan E. Conques, J.D., is an associate attorney with Losavio & DeJean, L.L.C., focusing her practice on elder law, estate planning, and Medicaid planning. A Baton Rouge native and graduate of Louisiana State University and Southern University Law Center, Meghan brings a client-focused approach to helping families protect assets, navigate Louisiana’s civil law system, and secure long-term care solutions. She is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association since 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid Qualifying in Denham Springs
Ready to Work With a Denham Springs Estate Planning Attorney?
Serving Denham Springs, Watson, Walker, and all of Livingston Parish.
Call today or send us a message to schedule a consultation with a Denham Springs estate planning lawyer. We will listen, explain your options, and help you protect your family and your future under Louisiana law.
