Table of Contents
Sacramento nursing homes cost $15,000/month ($180,000/year).
Without planning:
Deplete savings in 3-4 years
Forced to sell home
Nothing left for family
With elder law planning:
✅ Qualify for Medi-Cal (covers nursing home)
✅ Protect family home
✅ Preserve assets for spouse/children
✅ Avoid conservatorship
California Probate and Trust, PC
📍 6957 Douglas Blvd, Granite Bay, CA 95746
📞 (866) 400-0058 Free consultation
Sacramento Elder Law Services
Medi-Cal Planning
Asset protection strategies
5-year lookback planning
Eligibility qualification
Estate recovery protection
Long-Term Care Planning
Nursing home contract review
In-home care coordination
Assisted living options
Cost analysis
Incapacity Planning
Powers of attorney
Healthcare directives
Conservatorship alternatives
Living trusts
Estate Planning for Seniors
Wills and trusts
Prop 19 planning
Beneficiary updates
Final arrangements
Medi-Cal Planning (Sacramento)
Sacramento nursing home: $12,000-$18,000/month
Medi-Cal covers long-term care IF you qualify:
Income limit: $1,732/month (2026)
Asset limit: $2,000 individual
Medi-Cal planning strategies:
Spend down on exempt assets
Spousal protections (up to $148,620)
Irrevocable trusts (5+ years ahead)
Caregiver child exception
Estate recovery: California recovers costs from your estate after deathwe help protect your Sacramento home.
Free Consultation – No Obligation
Protect your family’s future. Talk to an experienced California estate planning attorney.
17 years experience • 6,000+ clients served • Millions distributed
Conservatorship Alternatives (Sacramento)
Conservatorship = court-appointed guardian
Problems:
Costs $10,000-$20,000 to establish
3-6 months to get court order
Annual court supervision
Public records
Loss of control
Better alternatives:
Durable power of attorney
Advance healthcare directive
Living trust with successor trustee
These avoid Sacramento County Probate Court entirely.
Medicare vs Medi-Cal (Key Differences)
Medicare:
Age 65+ health insurance
Does NOT cover long-term nursing home care
Only skilled nursing (100 days max)
Medi-Cal:
Welfare program (low-income)
DOES cover long-term nursing home
Strict asset limits ($2,000)
Estate recovery after death
Critical: Medicare doesn’t pay for what most seniors need (long-term care).
Experienced California Estate Planning Attorney
17 years in practice serving Sacramento, Placer County, and the Bay Area.
- Over 6,000 clients served
- Thousands of trusts, wills, and powers of attorney drafted
- 1,000+ deeds recorded annually helping clients fund their trusts
- 100+ trustees assisted each year with trust administration
- Millions distributed to beneficiaries and charities
- Hundreds of thousands saved in probate fees – money that stays with families, not attorneys or the state
Serving Sacramento Seniors
We help Sacramento County seniors with:
Medi-Cal qualification
Asset protection from nursing home costs
Conservatorship alternatives
Estate plan updates
Final arrangements
Sacramento senior communities we serve:
Downtown Sacramento
East Sacramento, Land Park
Carmichael, Arden-Arcade
Elk Grove, Laguna
Fair Oaks, Orangevale
Citrus Heights
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start elder law planning?
Age 60-70: Proactive planning (Medi-Cal trusts, estate plans)
Age 70-80: Active planning (incapacity protection)
Age 80+: Crisis prevention (immediate protection)
Does Medicare cover nursing home care?
Noonly skilled nursing for up to 100 days. Long-term care requires Medi-Cal (if qualify) or private pay.
Can I give my house to my kids to qualify for Medi-Cal?
Not within 5 years of applying (penalty period). Better: Irrevocable trust (5+ years ahead) or caregiver child exception.
What if I’m already in a nursing home?
Medi-Cal planning still possible. Spousal protections, spend-down strategies, and estate recovery minimization available. Consult attorney immediately.
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Sacramento Elder Law Resources
Adult Protective Services: (916) 874-9377
Ombudsman (Nursing Home): (916) 376-8065
Area 4 Agency on Aging: (916) 486-1876
Medi-Cal: (916) 875-6000
Free Elder Law Consultation
Call (866) 400-0058 or visit:
📍 6957 Douglas Blvd, Granite Bay, CA 95746
We’ll review:
Long-term care risks
Medi-Cal planning options
Asset protection strategies
Incapacity protections
Estate plan coordination
No pressure. No obligation.
About California Probate and Trust, PC: Sacramento elder law and estate planning firm. We help seniors and families with Medi-Cal planning, long-term care, incapacity planning, and estate plans. Licensed California attorney. Serving Sacramento County and Placer County.
Related Services
Also serving Sacramento:
We also serve:
Ready to Get Started?
Call (866) 400-0058 for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation and explain your options with no pressure or obligation.
Long-Term Care Payment Options: Comparison
| Payment Method | Private Pay | Medi-Cal |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $8,000-15,000/month out of pocket | ✓ Medi-Cal pays nursing home costs |
| Asset Protection | ✗ Spend down all assets first | ✓ Can protect home, preserve some assets |
| Qualification | ✓ No qualification needed | Must meet income/asset limits |
| Planning Required | None | Yes – ideally 5+ years before need |
| Estate for Heirs | ✗ Estate depleted by care costs | ✓ Assets preserved for family |
| Home Protection | ✗ May need to sell home | ✓ Home can be protected for spouse |
| Best For | High net worth, no advance planning | ✓ Middle-class families, advance planners |
Take the Next Step
Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Protect what you’ve built with a solid estate plan.
Free consultation • No obligation • 17 years protecting California families
Frequently Asked Questions
📍 Placer County Probate Court Information
Placer County Superior Court – Probate Division
Historic Courthouse
101 Maple Street, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (530) 886-7800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Probate Court Calendar Department: Department 9
Filing Fees: Probate petition filing fee is approximately $465 (as of 2026)
Average Probate Timeline in Placer County: 12-16 months
Attorney Fees for $600,000 Estate: Approximately $15,000 (statutory) + executor fees of $15,000 = $30,000 minimum
Note for Sun City & Lincoln Residents: All Placer County probate matters are heard in Auburn, approximately 30 minutes from Sun City Lincoln Hills.
Parking: Street parking and public lots nearby. Directions: From I-80, take Highway 49 to Auburn, exit Maple Street.
How do I qualify for Medi-Cal in California?
Medi-Cal has strict income and asset limits. We help you legally restructure assets to qualify while preserving your estate for family.
Will Medi-Cal take my house?
Medi-Cal can place a lien on your home after death to recover costs. With proper planning, we can protect your home for your spouse or disabled child.
What is the 5-year lookback for Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal reviews asset transfers made in the 5 years before applying. Improper transfers cause penalties. We help you plan ahead to avoid lookback issues.
Can I protect my assets from nursing home costs?
Yes, with advance planning. Irrevocable trusts, asset repositioning, and Medi-Cal planning strategies can protect your estate. Start planning now, not when you need care.
What’s the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Medicare is federal health insurance for seniors. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program covering long-term care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
📋 Free Download: Sacramento Estate Planning Checklist
Get our comprehensive 7-section checklist covering everything you need for complete estate planning.
- Essential documents you need
- Asset inventory worksheet
- Beneficiary decision guide
- Trust funding checklist
- Ongoing maintenance reminders
No email required • Instant download • Printable PDF