My father is in his 60's. He was able to aquire 4 properties in his lifetime. Lately he has been getting sick and his memory is getting worse, and he's concerned he will die and that I will have to pay a lot for the properties he already owns, when I put it in my name/inherit.
He grew up dirt poor, rags to riches type of thing. He's been very independent with all finances, appointments, everything. He is now asking me for help putting everything in a trust fund.
Also, health insurance is so expensive in the US even with insurance. He was on medicaid but they've seen he owns property and are taking it away. He no longer works and has not yet filed for social security.
From my understanding a trust fund will help him qualify for medicaid as the properties or anything in the trust fund will no longer be in his name, in a sense. We should have done this 5 years ago, as I understand medicaid looks back 5 years into your Financials.
Regardless, I just need advice on how to start up this trust fund. Anyone in the Chicago area you recommend? I hear we should go with an attorney? What kind? Is a state attorney the same as the others?
Also, he has made like 200k from his 401k from his old job. He currently has it in a CD or insurance thing at some bank. Can that go into a trust fund as well? Just so it doesn't count and affect medicaid? And if it can go into his trust fund, can he still invest it so it can still make money as it's sitting there?
I should have begun helping him in all things work and financial years ago. I'm overwhelmed by all the things we need to set up like medicare (all the different parts and choices), medicaid, social security, needing to keep track of his finances and why his credit score is decreasing now (?).
I would appreciate any answers and advice. Thank you.