Michigan Long-Term Care Planning Law Firm
Plan Ahead for Quality Care Without Losing Your Savings
At Rutkowski Law Firm, we help Michigan families prepare for future care needs, protect assets, and preserve dignity—through proactive long-term care planning.
Trusted by Over 450 Clients with a 4.9 Star Rating
I contacted this practice for questions regarding my elderly mother. Angie was very caring and helpful, providing information and advice.
I have 0 legal experience. I have never needed legal aid before. While my legal needs were not what they specialize in, Angie was able to refer me to an attorney, draft a letter, and sent it to them seamlessly. The weight she lifted off my shoulders is incredible! I seriously can’t thank her enough.
Real Life, Real Lessons
How Planning Ahead Saved a Family’s Home
Because they reached out before the crisis peaked, we were able to use Medicaid-compliant strategies to protect the home for the healthy spouse, preserve assets for future needs, and qualify for benefits without losing everything.
Long-term care planning isn’t just about protecting money—it’s about protecting options, dignity, and peace of mind.
Protect Your Assets and Your Care Choices
What Long-Term Care Planning Covers
We help you navigate care options, understand costs, and put legal and financial protections in place—so you get the care you need without impoverishing your spouse or losing your legacy.
- Medicaid Planning :
- Qualify for benefits without losing everything you’ve worked for.
- Asset Protection Strategies :
- Protect your home, savings, and retirement accounts from being drained by care costs.
- Spousal Protections :
- Ensure the healthy spouse can remain financially secure while the other receives care.
- Long-Term Care Insurance Review :
- Evaluate whether your current or potential coverage fits your care and financial goals.
Who Especially Needs Long-Term Care Planning?
Planning Ahead Is Especially Important If You–
- Own a Home or Significant Assets :
- Protect property and savings from being spent down on care.
- Have a Spouse or Dependent :
- Ensure they remain financially secure if you need extended care.
- Have a Family History of Illness :
- Plan ahead for conditions that may require costly care.
- Want to Choose Your Care Setting :
- Keep the option of in-home care or preferred facilities open.
Comparison
Estate Planning vs. Life Insurance Alone — Why You Need Both
Life insurance provides money, but it’s your estate plan that decides how, when, and to whom it’s given — and protects it from loss along the way.
Control Over Distributions
With an Estate Plan: Directs exactly who gets what, when they receive it, and under what conditions.
Life Insurance Alone: Payout goes directly to named beneficiaries, even if circumstances have changed.
Protection for Beneficiaries
With an Estate Plan: Can shield money from creditors, divorce, or poor money management through trusts.
Life Insurance Alone: Lump-sum payout can be lost to debt, lawsuits, or impulsive spending.
Covers All Assets
With an Estate Plan: Coordinates insurance with home, savings, investments, and business interests.
Life Insurance Alone: Only covers the death benefit — leaves other assets unprotected.
Avoids Probate
With an Estate Plan: Keeps all assets — not just insurance proceeds — out of costly, public probate.
Life Insurance Alone: Only bypasses probate for the policy payout; other assets may still go through court.
Special Provisions
With an Estate Plan: Creates trusts for minors, special needs beneficiaries, or multi-stage distributions.
Life Insurance Alone: Minors may require court-appointed guardians; special needs benefits can be disrupted.
Tax Strategy
With an Estate Plan: Uses gifting strategies and trusts to reduce estate taxes and preserve more wealth.
Life Insurance Alone: No tax planning beyond policy design.
Our Process for Long-Term Care Planning
From your first call to fully implementing your care and asset protection strategy, we make the process clear, compassionate, and focused on your family’s future.
Step 1: Book Initial Consultation
- Connect with our Customer Success Team by phone or online to schedule your consultation.
- Call us directly or request a call back at a time that works for you.
Step 2: Initial Call
- Meet with our legal team to review your goals, family dynamics, and assets.
- We’ll listen without judgment and explain options in plain English.
Step 3: Strategy & Plan Design
- We compare wills, trusts, probate avoidance, asset protection, and tax considerations.
- You receive a clear action plan with steps, timelines, and expected outcomes.
Step 4: Plan Implementation
- We draft and review documents, coordinate signings (virtual or in person), and guide funding.
- If needed, we align with your financial advisor and CPA to keep everything in sync.
Step 5: Funding & Beneficiaries — The Step Most Firms Skip
- We don’t just create your trust and wish you luck. Our team works with you to transfer assets into the trust, update beneficiary designations, and make sure every account and property is titled correctly.
- An unfunded trust can fail — costing your family time, money, and stress in probate. We make sure yours is ready to work from day one.
Step 6: Ongoing Support
- We check in, review changes in life or law, and update your plan when needed.
- You’ll have a trusted partner for the long term.
Estate Planning Guide
Estate Planning is an essential process that will protect your assets and ensure you’re your estate is distributed according to your wishes after your death.
Many people make mistakes when creating their estate plan, which can lead to unnecessary stress, confusion, and costly legal battles for their loved ones. Below, our estate planning team put together the top 10 and most common mistakes we see in estate planning.
Common Questions About Long-Term Care Planning
Guiding the Firm, Protecting Families
Whether you need a will, trust, asset protection plan or are in need of medicaid crisis planning, our team is here to help! We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal representation possible. Call us today to book your consultation.
Meet the Whole Team
Estate Planning for Michigan Families
Don't leave your family with a useless binder.
Most firms hand you a template and expect you to do the work. We provide a Done-For-You process that handles Trust Funding and Asset Protection.
We specialize in protecting your home from the 5-Year Medicaid Look-Back, ensuring your house stays in your family and out of the state's hands. Plan now so you never become a burden to those you love.
For a Call Back: Pick a time for a quick, 15-minute phone call with our intake team. They will gather your basic details and schedule your strategy session with our Customer Success Director. No tech degree or legal preparation required.
Our Offices
Is your estate plan a "death document" or a "life document"?
Why a standard Will or Trust isn't enough to protect your savings from the $12,000/month cost of long-term care.
Founder / Attorney
Private Pay vs Planning Ahead - How Early Strategy Changes Your Options
Long-term care doesn’t have to drain everything you’ve built. Timing and strategy make the difference.
Founder / Attorney
What If I Already Gave Away My Assets? Medicaid Mistakes You Can Still Recover From
Gifting your home or savings may seem generous—but if you need long-term care, that decision can cost you. Here’s what to do if it’s already done.
Founder / Attorney