Many people wonder, can't I just give my assets
away? The simple answer is, maybe, but only if it's done just right.
The law has severe penalties for people who simply give away their
assets to create Medicaid eligibility. In New Jersey, for example,
every $6,655 given away during the five years prior to a Medicaid
application creates a one month period
of ineligibility. So even though the federal gift tax allows you to
give away up to $12,000 per year without gift tax consequences, those
gifts could result in a period of ineligibility for N.J. Medicaid of 1.8 months. |
