LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING

Elder Law Attorney Serving Okatie, Bluffton, Hilton Head & South Carolina

Your Home. Your Health. Your Legacy. We Protect It All.

Long-term care planning isn’t just about nursing homes — it’s about making sure your care, your money, and your legacy stay in your hands. At LowcoTerra Law Firm, we help South Carolina families plan ahead so they can protect what they’ve built, avoid financial devastation, and stay in control — even in the face of aging, illness, or unexpected decline.

Whether you’re planning for your own care, or helping a parent prepare for the years ahead, we’re here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

What Is Long-Term Care Planning?

Long-term care planning is the legal and financial process of preparing for the possibility of needing assistance with everyday tasks as you age — whether through in-home care, assisted living, or a skilled nursing facility.

Planning ahead helps you:

  • Preserve your savings and home

  • Qualify for Medicaid or other benefits without spending everything first

  • Avoid becoming a burden on your spouse or children

  • Ensure your medical wishes and financial decisions are respected

The cost of long-term care in South Carolina can exceed $90,000/year. Without a plan, even families with significant savings can see their entire legacy drained in just a few years.

What Happens If You Don’t Plan Ahead?

Too many families wait until a health crisis forces them into tough choices. Without a plan:

  • Your assets may need to be liquidated to qualify for care

  • You may be told you don’t qualify for Medicaid because of the 5-year look-back period

  • Your spouse could be left financially insecure

  • Your children may face enormous pressure — emotionally and financially — trying to manage your care

Planning ahead means peace of mind — for you and the people who love you.

Who Needs Long-Term Care Planning?

Retirees and Pre-Retirees (50s–70s)

The best time to plan is before a crisis hits. We help you:

  • Structure assets to qualify for Medicaid without spending down everything you’ve earned

  • Protect your home from Medicaid recovery or liens

  • Set up irrevocable trusts to preserve wealth for future generations

  • Prepare clear legal documents that name decision-makers and care preferences

Smart planning today means more options — and fewer sacrifices — tomorrow.

Families with Aging Parents

Watching a loved one decline can be overwhelming. We help adult children and caretakers:

  • Understand Medicaid rules, eligibility, and the 5-year look-back

  • Prevent unintentional disqualification from benefits due to past financial decisions

  • Avoid family conflict and court involvement through powers of attorney and trust planning

  • Reduce the emotional and financial burden on children by creating a clear, compassionate plan

What Your Long‑Term Care Plan May Include:

  • Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts

  • Irrevocable income‑only trusts

  • Durable powers of attorney & advance directives

  • Living wills & care preferences

  • Personal caregiver agreements

  • Strategic gifting or life insurance benefit conversions

  • Real property protection strategies

Our Process — Simple, Secure, Personal

  1. Free initial consultation to understand your care concerns, assets, and family needs

  2. Custom plan development, tailored to goals and eligibility options

  3. Walk‑through session to explain trust mechanics and legal steps

  4. Ongoing support — keeping your plan aligned with changes in health or law

Serving Families in Okatie, Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Across the State

We offer both in-person planning and secure virtual consultations, helping families across South Carolina prepare with confidence.

Ready to learn more? A great place to start is by attending one our free seminars or webinars but you can also give us a call at 843-376-9993 or contact us to get started today!

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Not entirely. Insurance helps pay for care, but legal planning ensures control, asset protection, and eligibility continuity.

  • Yes — irrevocable trusts and Medicaid asset protection trusts help shield assets, though they require careful structure and timing

  • The best time to start long-term care planning in South Carolina is ideally in your late 50s to early 60s, or at least five years before you may need care. If you wait until a health crisis, many of the most effective strategies may no longer be available

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Us.

hello@lowcoterra.com
(843) 376-9993

10 State Road S-7-50
Bluffton, SC 29910