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Ohio Elder Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Domestic Violence and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: How do I Revoke any type of POA; HIPAA; and all Financial; Medical; papers that have been filed in my husband's file in

regards to me which I have never seen but has been 'scooted' past me for control and manipulation factors. I was told I can get a Revocation for my file.....Thank you.

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Aug 7, 2023

Just make out new POA documents, which will revoke all prior ones. You really want to create new potential proxies in the event something happens to you anyway. You can also write a simple statement revoking a specific person's proxy status effective as of a particular date, then send it... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: How to have elderly parent who refuses medical treatment deemed incompetent but not apply for guardianship?

My elderly parent is incompetent. She stopped taking her medications, stopped going to her doctor appointments. Is losing her memory. Being scammed online. The list goes on. But I am not in the position to apply for guardianship. I'm struggling with my own responsibilities. I can't be... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Aug 6, 2023

The quick answer is that you cannot have someone deemed incompetent and not have a guardian appointed. That being said you do not have to be the guardian yourself. You can have the court appoint an attorney as guardian of the ward's estate if you cannot serve yourself. This forum is no... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: How to have elderly parent who refuses medical treatment deemed incompetent but not apply for guardianship?

My elderly parent is incompetent. She stopped taking her medications, stopped going to her doctor appointments. Is losing her memory. Being scammed online. The list goes on. But I am not in the position to apply for guardianship. I'm struggling with my own responsibilities. I can't be... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Aug 6, 2023

The quick answer is that you cannot have someone deemed incompetent and not have a guardian appointed. That being said you do not have to be the guardian yourself. You can have the court appoint an attorney as guardian of the ward's estate if you cannot serve yourself. This forum is no... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: What to do when an elderly parent is no longer competent.

My 2 young children, my wife and I have lived with my elderly mother in her house (that she owns) for the past 5 years to help care for her, as well as the home. She has recently stopped taking her medications and seeing her doctor. She drives her car recklessly. (Has new, lrg damage to drivers... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss
answered on Aug 4, 2023

Unfortunately this is likely a time to seek guardianship over your mother. If she is declining and isn't able to take care of herself, you will need to petition the probate court to obtain guardianship over her. If she refuses to see a doctor who can perform a competency exam, you will also... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: What to do when an elderly parent is no longer competent.

My 2 young children, my wife and I have lived with my elderly mother in her house (that she owns) for the past 5 years to help care for her, as well as the home. She has recently stopped taking her medications and seeing her doctor. She drives her car recklessly. (Has new, lrg damage to drivers... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Aug 4, 2023

Check your local court web site for the information required for guardianships. Many courts post that on-line. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local attorney who handles guardianship cases and discuss the situation and what will be required, which might be complicated a bit because you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Public Benefits for Ohio on
Q: Medicaid question.92 year old father in rehab/nursing home will need to go next to long-term care. His income qualifies

him for Medicaid. His home has been a mobile home. Its fair market value is $7400 and that is his only physical asset. If he applies for Medicaid now and is accepted, as soon as we sell the trailer, his assets will be above $2000 which makes him ineligible for Medicaid until he spends down the... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on May 3, 2023

It can work out either way. If you are able to find items to spend on now, before he needs Medicaid, then that is a good option. The main thing is to sell it for the proper blue-book value and spend the funds down before he needs Medicaid.

Or you can get qualified for Medicaid first. Then,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Elder Law and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: My mom is wanting to put her house in mine and my sisters house name, what would that do yo our taxes?
Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Mar 7, 2023

I recommend sitting down with an estate planning professional to discuss. If your mother makes such a transfer it could be subject to gift taxes. Additionally, if she were to need benefits under a needs based assistance program like Medicaid, such a gift would impact her eligibility and may mean... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Elder Law and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: My mom is wanting to put her house in mine and my sisters house name, what would that do yo our taxes?
Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 8, 2023

If she transfers her house to you both as a gift, in addition to possible gift taxes, you and your sister will acquire the home with your mother's cost basis for income tax purposes, so that when you and your sister sell it, you both will also pay capital gains taxes on the increase in value... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Education Law and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: ORC 4117.103 -volunteer at public schools When can a qualified volunteer be turned back by principal?

be turned away directly from the principle?

Arriving at my granddaughter’s elementary school for an approved PTO volunteering event at the requested time, Right away I was met with resistance. She began using her phone. She inquired to several ladies standing close by a loc of someone.... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Jan 20, 2023

The law does not require the schools to allow any particular person to volunteer and there are literally hundreds of reasons from the mundane (we have enough help) to the quite serious (this individual set fire to the building last time they were here) that someone might be turned away.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: to contest a will does it need to be probated first?

will changed after many yrs and just 10 mo. prior to mothers death and mother was in a very vulnerable position with monies, travel to Dr. visits, food etc and older son had just had stroke 2 months before the will change and younger son took advantage of this.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 28, 2022

To open an estate, the executor named in the will should file it with the court and must give notice to all the next of kin that it has been filed, and then family members can contest the will if they have suspicions. If the named executor doesn't open the estate, any other family member can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: mothers will was changed 2 months after my stroke and she died just 10 months later she was vulnerable at the time ?

She had no transport/way to get food etc. as I was not able at the time to do for her-I feel he took advantage and he had unreal financial debt at the time. what can I do? My younger brother did this to her

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 28, 2022

You can hire an attorney to contest the will on the basis of lack of capacity or undue influence or both. Do not delay because there are deadlines for will contests. If you miss a deadline you will lose your right to ever contest the will.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Ward has full guardianship in MI, small Tribal stipend once a year, Need guardian of person and estate or both in OH?

Incapacitated Ward under Full guardianship (person/estate) in Michigan has been moved to Ohio nursing home long term care on full Medicaid/Medicare. I made the facility rep payee for SS check. Ward has one monthly bill, and basic needs/care (clothing, personal items) managed by guardianship now.... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 23, 2022

You may be required to 'transfer' the guardianship to the Ohio court. The Michigan court no longer has jurisdiction and may not be able to terminate the case unless it is being transferred. You bring up a couple other complicated issues. I recommend seeking counsel in the county in which... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Public Benefits for Ohio on
Q: Can Medicaid seize grandma's house if elderly uncle is living in it?

My 88 year old grandma has late stage dementia and needs 24hr care. My uncle (age 65) has lived with her for 30+ years and also has early dementia and can't really care for her anymore, but is hesitant to move her to an assisted care facility because he's worried about becoming homeless... View More

Mary Ellen Leslie
Mary Ellen Leslie
answered on Oct 26, 2022

If a doctor will confirm that without your uncle's care and assistance, your Grandmother would not have been able to continue living in her home, for as long as she was able to, your uncle should be allowed to continue to live in the home as long as he wishes. When he no longer needs to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: My mother is in a nursing home in Ohio due to Alzheimers

I am her POA for her durable Financial Power of Attorney. In it it states I can gift money from her estate to any family member including myself. If that is done will it effect anything if she has to go on medicaid? Also, can a Durable POA and/or Medical POA be paid without it effecting anything,... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Oct 11, 2022

Any gift will affect her ability to qualify for nursing home Medicaid in the next 5 years.

If you want to get paid as POA, someone will need to write up a comprehensive agreement BEFOREHAND in writing laying out the details of what you are doing and how much you are being paid. Otherwise,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Does a notary signature count as a witness signature on a handwritten will in Ohio?
Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Oct 4, 2022

In short, it depends on how the notary is signing. If they are just notarizing a signature, no it does not work. If they are signing as a witness, then it may. I would have to refer you to Section 2107.03 of the Ohio Revised Code (link below). It's going to depend on the specifics on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: Medicaid estate recovery

My mother-in-law received Medicaid benefits while she was in a nursing home. Upon her death the house and other assets were left alone as her husband was still alive. If us kids sell his house and vehicle before he dies will the state of Ohio stop the sale? If not, what happens when my... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Aug 1, 2022

If you sell the house now, Medicaid cannot take any of the sales proceeds, since your father-in-law is still alive. He can then spend the money as he sees fit on items for himself. Once he passes, then technically, Medicaid has a claim against the remaining funds from the sale. However, with some... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: Vehicle options for Medicaid long-term with parent in managed care

When my brother filled out my dad's Medicaid paperwork I assume he included his vehicle in the non-countable assets. Currently, the vehicle is in front of my house while dad is in a managed care facility. Going forward, what are our options since I don't really ever see dad leaving... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Jun 6, 2022

Medicaid will eventually take the car sale proceeds if sold after his death.

You can't add your name to the car. Otherwise, it will be considered an improper transfer and your father will be penalized by Medicaid.

While your father is alive, you can sell it for fair market...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: My dad recently moved into a managed care facility. My brother filled his Medicaid paperwork out so I don't know detail

What am I to do with his car? Sell it and hand the money to the managed care? Keep renewing the registration and pay insurance while it sits? I'm afraid to drive it myself since I don't want to cause any issues that would make my dad lose his Medicaid benefits and I fear getting in an... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Jun 3, 2022

If you sell the car, the funds must be spent down within 30 days. It is not sufficient to just hand over the funds to the facility. Perhaps the funds can be used to pay for a prepaid funeral plan.

Also, if you let his house just sit there, then when he passes away, Medicaid will put a lien...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: What to do if my father is considered a behavioral problem and a social worker can’t get a nursing home to approve admit

My father has dementia and when he was first put in a nursing facility and was disoriented became aggressive towards staff. He is now in a hospital for Alzheimer’s patients however he needs to be discharged at some point and nursing facilities who were contacted by the hospital social worker,... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Jun 3, 2022

If he was in a nursing home prior to being admitted to the hospital, then he is technically still a resident of the facility. They must notify him in writing before he can be discharged from their facility. Once they notify you in writing, then you can appeal it. If you attend the appeal meeting,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: Are bedrails used to prevent falls considered restraints in nursing homes in the state of ohio?
Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Jun 2, 2022

There is no simple answer.

Here is a link to the regulation. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-3701-17-15

Bed-rails are not specifically listed in the regulation as a restraint. However, a bed-rail certainly does restrain someone from free movement, so it can...
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