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 Rutkowski law firm with a variety of questions, some of which were more immediate and not included in the scope of the services they offer i.e., Medicare. Angie graciously referred me to a subject matter expert who could help.
I contacted this practice for questions regarding my elderly mother. Angie was very caring and helpful, providing information and advice.
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
Request a Consultation
With offices in Rochester and Bloomfield Hills, we’re proud to serve families throughout Michigan. Prefer virtual? We offer video consultations for estate planning, so you can plan from the comfort of home.
Please fill in the form and one of our customer service representatives will be in touch first thing on the next business day.
If you'd rather book a discovery call so you know exactly when to expect a call from our customer success agents, you're welcome to click the link below and find a time that works best for you.
“Their whole team was amazing to work with! The attorneys were very knowledgeable and made it easy to understand. We chose virtual planning process option because it was so much more convenient with my work schedule but they offered to meet in person too of we didn't do zoom. Highly Recommended!”
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