Before Divorce, Let’s Explore Every Other Option
When nursing home costs threaten to drain a couple’s life savings, some consider a Medicaid divorce — a legal divorce pursued to help one spouse qualify for Medicaid while protecting the other. At Rutkowski Law Firm, we help you understand the risks, alternatives, and safest path forward.

We are so very grateful for all of the help from the Rutkowski team, to get our parents’ finances in order and to get them settled in long term care...
Rutkowski Law Firm helped our family at one of our most difficult moments. My mom went into kidney failure... all her affairs are in order.
A Medicaid divorce is not a first step — it’s a last resort. Before ending a marriage to protect assets, we explore every lawful option to keep you together while safeguarding the healthy spouse’s financial future.
We calculate your Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) and Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) for Michigan, map the gap, and outline what it takes to qualify—without ending your marriage.
We prioritize keeping the healthy spouse housed and stable—using homestead protections, Lady Bird (enhanced life estate) deeds, and other exempt‑asset strategies tailored to Michigan rules.
Turn “countable” dollars into exempt value: medically necessary home upgrades, a reliable vehicle, prepaid burial/funeral, and other compliant conversions that preserve dignity and options.
In the right cases, we convert excess assets into an immediate, actuarially sound income stream for the healthy spouse—structured to meet Michigan Medicaid requirements.
Documented family caregiver contracts and limited, strategic transfers can support eligibility when timed and papered correctly—avoiding look‑back penalties and surprises.
Already in (or about to enter) a nursing home? We assemble documentation fast, submit the application, and respond to DHS requests—so you’re not navigating red tape alone.
If every other lawful avenue falls short, we’ll coordinate with divorce counsel to protect the healthy spouse—fully briefed on tax, inheritance, and emotional trade‑offs.
Care and finances change. We stay with you after approval—answering mailings, updating assets/income, and preparing annual redeterminations so benefits keep flowing.
We guide you through the decision-making process with compassion and clarity — from weighing options to protecting your family’s stability.
Step 1: Book Initial Consultation
Step 2: Attend Initial Consultation
Step 3: Strategy & Plan Design
Step 4: Plan Implementation
Step 5: Medicaid Application
Step 6: Ongoing Support
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
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.
Yes, it’s legal—but often unnecessary. Here’s what Michigan families need to know before taking this significant step.

Founder / Attorney
For couples facing long-term care costs, a Medicaid divorce can seem like the only way to protect assets. But is it really necessary?

Founder / Attorney