Reid M.E. McCarthy, Attorney & Counselor, PLLC - Ann Arbor, MI

Strategic Elder Law and Comprehensive Estate Planning in Ann Arbor

As our loved ones age, navigating the complex rules of healthcare, nursing home expenses, and estate asset protection can feel incredibly daunting. At Ann Arbor Elder Law, led by Attorney Reid M.E. McCarthy, we help seniors and their families protect their life savings, secure essential medical benefits, and build robust plans for the future. Based in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan, our elder law practice offers the technical expertise, deep knowledge, and sincere personal attention you need to face these transitions with absolute confidence.

Traditional estate planning often focuses solely on what happens after death. At our firm, we recognize that the greatest financial threat most families face is the skyrocketing cost of long-term care and nursing homes. Deciding to hire a lawyer specializing in elder law ensures that your family has a strategic plan to preserve assets and protect a spouse living at home. When you are facing a medical crisis or planning ahead, our legal team is prepared to deliver the guidance you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Protecting Assets with Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning

With nursing home care in southeastern Michigan averaging over ninety thousand dollars per year, paying for long-term care can quickly deplete a family's life savings. Many people mistakenly believe they have no choice but to spend down all of their assets before qualifying for Medicaid assistance. At Ann Arbor Elder Law, we help families legally and ethically structure their assets to protect their homes, preserve savings for a spouse, and qualify for Medicaid benefits.

Whether your loved one is already in a nursing home or you are proactively planning for the possibility of future care, we provide personalized, strategic solutions. We analyze your unique financial situation to design a plan that anticipates potential eligibility hurdles, including the five-year divestment lookback period. Our goal is to bring clarity to an incredibly complex system, ensuring that your parents or spouse receive the high-quality care they need without sacrificing their financial security.

Preparing for the Future with Wills, Trusts, and Incapacity Planning

An effective estate plan goes far beyond distributing property; it establishes crucial protections for you and your family during your lifetime. We draft custom, legally binding wills, living trusts, durable financial powers of attorney, and patient advocate designations. If an individual becomes physically or mentally incapacitated due to illness or injury, having these documents in place ensures that trusted family members can make vital financial and medical decisions without the need for an expensive, public guardianship proceeding in probate court.

We also specialize in special needs planning, helping families establish supplemental needs trusts that provide for a child or adult family member with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for essential government benefits. We take the time to understand your family's unique dynamics and draft precise, personalized legal instruments that offer continuous peace of mind. When you need to find an experienced estate planner who cares, our firm is here to assist.

Award-Winning Local Representation with 20 Years of Experience

Founded in 2004 by Ann Arbor native Reid McCarthy, a proud graduate of Penn State Law, our firm has served hundreds of families across Washtenaw County, western Wayne, Lenawee, Livingston, and Monroe counties. Reid has been recognized by Super Lawyers for his exceptional advocacy and has earned a reputation for providing direct, unmediated support to his clients. We accept credit cards, checks, and cash, and offer flexible scheduling, including house calls, to make high-quality legal help as accessible as possible. Contact our Ann Arbor office today to discover how we can help protect your legacy and your loved ones.