If my mom goes into a nursing home on Medicaid, when do we sell her car?

Question

Mom is going into a nursing home soon and she will be on Medicaid.  She has an older car parked in her garage valued at around $2,000.  I can't get it started and the tires are shot so the buyer will need to bring a trailer to haul it.

Does the car need to be sold now since my mom obviously will no longer be able to use it or can we wait until she passes away then sell it with the estate?  She doesn't want to sell it now because she would just have more money she needs to spend.

Could we then keep it licensed and insured in her name?

Anonymous · Answer

If your Mom goes to a nursing home under Medicaid you don't sell or touch or spend anything.  The people at the nursing home will tell you they have complete control of anything and everything Mom owns.  You cannot sell anything.  Hiding things will get you in big trouble. with the law.They even go back five years to look at how Mom's money was spent and sometimes force children to repay money spent..

Kini · Answer

You dont have to sell her car. Besides, someone on Medicaid can own a home of primary residence as well as own a vehicle of any value and still be eligible for Medicaid. Dont sell it for the wrong reason.  You dont have to pay back Medicaid until she passes away and thats only if she got on Medicaid after age 55.

Anonymuse · Answer

You can't sell it until she dies or you get durable power of attorney.  Lock it in the garage, drop the insurance, and turn in the license plates.

car253 · Answer

the car is not worth $2,000.     IT is not worth $50.
It doesn't matter if you keep it or sell it.   Just tell SSI the car is only worth $50.
They will not care.

? · Answer

Sell it now......  There's NO reason to keep it when she's going into a nursing home and will not be driving it.

StephenWeinstein · Answer

Keeping it insured does not seem to me like a good idea, because that will cost money that will be essentially wasted if no one can drive it.

? · Answer

Medicaid will ask the value of her assets, including house and car. Selling them now is the easiest way to get an accurate value so you don't have to repay Medicaid later.

A Hunch · Answer

You sell the car now.
You don't sit around and spend money on registration and insurance.
If it gives her $2000 that "she has to spend" then you spend it! 
Ghee Whiz it will be gone within a month of moving to the nursing home and then medicaid can take over the nursing home costs.

Are you going into the nursing home with her?  Or do you have someone lined up to help you manage your finances.  You clearly aren't capable yourself.

Anonymous · Answer

Do you have financial power of attorney?   If not, then you can't sell a vehicle that belong to someone else.

If your mother is of sound mind she can give you financial power of attorney.

If your mother is unable to make these decisions for herself, you can petition the court to give you financial power of attorney.

Anonymous · Answer

you get proper power of attorney, take her money and put it in a account with you as executor

If my mom goes into a nursing home on Medicaid, when do we sell her car?

13 Answers