My mother might be going into long-term care in September, after rehab. Prior to this she gave her car to her grandson. Any advice about ownership?

I can print off my statement and look at it when I want to. I can click and see the check itself.

Possum, I don't post in my checkbook register because it is just too small for us seniors to write into and read later. I call the bank for the balance if I need to pay something that large. The bank had stopped sending paper statements.... [sigh]. So far no luck with trying to set up the statements on-line. The software doesn't like me.

Did your Mother use a computer? Maybe she had set up a check register in Word. That is what I am currently doing. That way I can have a larger font, plus color code if an item is a donation.

I see no problem in selling her car to her grandson I do see making payments a problem.

If the car is paid off and he is paying her, I hope he bought it at book value. Because that is what Medicaid will look at. Plus that sale is going to be considered against her spend down. Yes she should sign over title. And I suggest he get a loan for what he owes even if you have to co-sign for him. Same if Mom still owes on the car. He needs to get the car in his name. If total payments due are less than the car is worth, he may need to pay the difference between payments due and book value to grandma.

I am saying this because if Mom goes into LTC all her assets need to be used before she can apply for Medicaid. Having him make payments may effect her getting Medicaid unless you can keep her under the asset cap allowed. In my State $2000. So if he is paying her $200 a month, you have to make sure you do not go over that $200O. That means constantly spending down that money that needs to be used on her personally. I don't think it can be used on bills, maybe medically? So much easier that he just get a loan or if Mom still owes, get the loan company you change the loan to him. Then you have all the money upfront and you know what is needed to spend down. Hopefully he is paying by check or at least getting receipts showing he has made the payments.

If Mom owns a home and goes on Medicaid her SS and any pension she receives will go to her care. A small amount of her SS will be placed in a PNA (Personal Needs Acct) This can be used for hair cuts, snakes, clothing etc. She will have no money to keep up her home. Unless someone foots the bills, the house will need to be sold at Market Value. All the proceeds will go for her care.

Is she able to call her bank and ask for her balance? Do you know if she has online banking access to her account? Where are her bank statements? Bill of sale for the car has been done, but was the title actually transferred to grandson? All of these questions and more must be answered, so you have some work to do.

Question?