Probably 3-4 years ago my mother gave substantial amounts of money to her church, bought a minister a car, gave to all kinds of missionary stuff. We did take her checkbook away about a year ago, so this doesn't continue. What happens if she has to go to a nursing home, and she doesn't have funds to pay? Who do they collect from?
If she does need Medicaid in the future, it will not hurt to apply.It may be that any penalty that has to be covered will only be in months and not in years. Does anyone have POA now to handle her financial affairs? She does sound like she needs a good financial manager.
Usually they are ineligible for Medicaid until this is cleared. It's an odd situation because the elder qualifies for Medicaid because they are now impoverished BUT are ineligible for any NH Medicaid payment until the transfer penalty is paid.
If she hasn't applied for Medicaid yet, I'd really suggest you get an elder care attorney and have a sit-down and go over everything and the amounts involved to see what they suggest in how to approach doing the application. Also update her will, POA's etc. Who knows she might have the not-so-good reverend in her will
that was changed without you knowing about it.
What could that preacher have been thinking about the new car?