Elder Law

Why Timing Is Everything in Elder Law

Medicaid has a five-year look-back period. That means any assets transferred within five years of a nursing home admission are subject to review — and transfers that don't meet strict legal requirements can result in penalty periods that delay eligibility precisely when care costs are highest.


Families who plan five to ten years before anticipated long-term care need have significantly more options than those who call after a crisis has already begun. The planning strategies available at year one are not the same ones available at year five. The earlier the conversation, the more we can protect.

Elder Law Isn't Only for Families Already in Crisis

More than 60% of our clients are under 60. Many of them are adults who are healthy today but watching their parents' generation navigate long-term care costs without a plan — and deciding they don't want their own families to face the same situation.



Elder law planning is most effective when it begins well before a health event forces the issue. If you're in your 50s, have aging parents, or are starting to think about what long-term care might mean for your family, this is the right time to have a conversation.

Elder Law Services

  • Medicaid Planning

    Medicaid planning involves structuring your assets and finances to qualify for Medicaid long-term care benefits while preserving as much as possible for your family. The rules are complex, the look-back period is unforgiving, and the strategies available depend heavily on how much time remains before care is needed.

    Learn About Medicaid

  • Long-Term Care Planning

    Long-term care planning addresses the full picture of how you or your parents will be cared for as health declines — including the legal authority, financial structure, and family coordination that makes a difficult situation manageable. A plan built before a crisis is a different thing entirely from one assembled during one.

    Learn About Long Term Care Planning

  • Irrevocable Trusts

    Certain irrevocable trusts are a foundational tool in Medicaid planning — allowing assets to be transferred out of your countable estate while preserving income and protecting property from long-term care spend-down. Timing and structure are critical; a trust drafted incorrectly or too late may not accomplish its purpose.

    Learn About Irrevocable Trusts

Fayette County Resources for Aging Families

Navigating elder care involves more than legal planning. Families in our area have access to several local and regional resources that can support aging parents and their caregivers.


  • Georgia Division of Aging Services — the state agency administering Medicaid waiver programs, caregiver support, and senior services statewide


  • Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging — the regional agency coordinating aging services for Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriweather, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson, including in-home care coordination, caregiver respite, and benefits counseling


  • Fayette County Senior Services — local programs including transportation, nutrition, and activity programming for Fayette County seniors

Questions Families Ask About Elder Law in Georgia

  • What does an elder law attorney do in Georgia?

    An elder law attorney helps families plan for the legal and financial challenges that come with aging — including Medicaid eligibility, long-term care costs, powers of attorney, guardianship, and asset protection. That work is done by the attorney personally, in a structured planning process that addresses your family's specific situation.

  • How does Medicaid's five-year look-back period work in Georgia?

    When you apply for Medicaid long-term care benefits in Georgia, the state reviews all asset transfers made within the five years prior to your application. Transfers that don't meet strict legal requirements can result in a penalty period — a window during which Medicaid will not pay for care, even if you've already spent down your assets. Planning well before that window is the only way to preserve meaningful options.

  • What assets can be protected from nursing home costs in Georgia?

    Georgia Medicaid rules exempt certain assets — including a primary residence in some circumstances, one vehicle, and personal property — while counting others toward eligibility limits. Legal strategies including irrevocable trusts, spousal protection rules, and properly structured transfers can protect additional assets, but only when implemented with sufficient lead time. The specific answer depends on your family's asset picture and how much time remains before care is needed.

    Let's Start a Conversation

  • When should I start elder law planning in Georgia?

    Ideally, five to ten years before you anticipate needing long-term care. That window allows for the full range of Medicaid planning strategies. Families who are already in or approaching a care situation still have options — but the planning toolkit is smaller, and time matters. The right time to call is always now.

  • Is there an elder law attorney near Peachtree City or Newnan, Georgia?

    Yes. Campen Estate Planning is located in Tyrone and serves families throughout Fayette and Coweta Counties, including Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan, and Senoia. Virtual consultations are available for families anywhere in Georgia.

The Time to Plan Is Before You Need To

A free 15-minute phone call is all it takes to understand where your family stands and what options are still on the table. No preparation required.