How to find out if there is a Medicaid Lien on a House
What is a Lien?
A lien refers to a claim or charge on a piece of real estate or property.
What is a Medicaid Lien?
A Medicaid lien is a claim made by the (DSS) Department of Social Services on your property to cater to your Medicaid assistance expenses. It refers to medical payments made on behalf of the individual receiving care.
How to know if there is a Medicaid Lien on a Parent’s House
Check with the registry of deeds
Visiting the registry of deeds will help you confirm if a Lien was filed or not. If it is in the records, you will be informed and provided with copies of the documents your parents signed. Additionally, if you are unable to understand the content of these documents, you should hire services of an attorney who will help you understand the papers signed by your parent or parents, and give you way forward. Furthermore, if you approach the states Medicaid agency, they will sign a release of the lien even when the lien is on record.
Check Online
The digital world has brought information much closer to you than you can imagine. Medicaid Agencies and even some state registries have their records online. Browsing on the relevant websites for the kind of information you seek is one easier way to finding out if there is a Medicaid Lien on your parent’s house or not. If you check and confirm there is a Medicaid lien on the house, you may then seek the assistance of a law attorney who is well versed on the issues of assisted living and payment methods.
Consult the Family Lawyer/ Hire a Lawyer
In cases where your parents are no more, or unable to remember details on Medicaid Lien issues, the best move is to visit the family lawyer. Family lawyers always keep information together with documents that concern their clients, in this case, your parents. Consulting him/her will enable you to know and understand your parent’s wishes, and any information regarding the issue of their house being on a Medicaid Lien or not. He/she will be in the best position to clarify all you wish to know on the same and how to go about it. If you did not have a family lawyer, then you could as well hire the services of one to assist you throughout the entire process.
Summary
Finding out the state of your parent’s house and property at large is essential because you will be able to stop any claim or charge on their property, or understand why there is a Medicaid Lien on the same. Have in mind that Medicaid lien only comes in under some circumstances, and if your parent’s do not match the criteria, you will be able to defend their house. However, if they met the said criteria, then you will be able to understand why the house or property changed ownership. For inquiries and more information about Medicaid Lien, contact our elder law attorneys at The Mattar Firm.