Elder Law
in Garner, NC
Quality of life is what matters here!
Elder Law Planning for North Carolina Families
Clear guidance when aging, caregiving, and long-term care decisions feel overwhelming
As parents age, legal and financial decisions become more urgent—and more emotional. Whether you’re helping a loved one transition into care, trying to protect a family home, or worried about how nursing home costs could drain a lifetime of savings, elder law planning provides clarity and protection when it matters most.
At Mackintosh Law, PLLC, we help North Carolina families navigate aging with dignity, foresight, and peace of mind.
The Problem Most Families Face
Elder law issues often arise during moments of crisis:
A sudden health decline
A fall or hospitalization
A diagnosis that changes everything
A nursing home admission that comes faster than expected
Families are left scrambling—unsure what steps to take, what options exist, or how to avoid costly mistakes.
Without proper planning, families risk:
Losing savings to long-term care costs
Triggering Medicaid penalties
Court-ordered guardianship
Family conflict and emotional burnout
How Elder Law Planning Helps
Elder law is about more than documents—it’s about protecting people.
Our elder law services focus on:
Preserving assets
Ensuring decision-makers are legally authorized
Planning for care before a crisis occurs
Reducing stress for spouses and adult children
We guide you through complex decisions with plain-English explanations and a plan that fits your family’s reality..
Our Elder Law Services
Medicaid Planning & Asset Protection
Nursing home care in North Carolina can exceed $8,000 per month. Medicaid can help—but only if planning is done correctly.
We assist with:
Spend-down strategies that comply with NC rules
Crisis Medicaid planning
Medicaid applications and appeals
Planning for Incapacity & Long-Term Care
Aging often brings gradual changes, not clear lines.
Elder law planning helps address:
Memory loss and cognitive decline
Assisted living and skilled nursing decisions
Protecting a well spouse
Coordinating care with adult children
Powers of Attorney & Health Care Planning
If incapacity strikes without proper documents, families may be forced into guardianship court.
We help ensure:
Financial Powers of Attorney are properly drafted and accepted
Health Care Powers of Attorney reflect real quality-of-life wishes
HIPAA authorizations allow loved ones to communicate with providers
Guardianship Prevention
Guardianship is expensive, public, and emotionally draining. With proactive planning, it is often avoidable.
We focus on:
Preventing unnecessary court involvement
Keeping decisions within the family
Preserving autonomy whenever possible
Compassionate Planning
from An Attorney Who Has Been Where You Are
Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, brings a personal style to all her clients, but when it comes to elder law, her experience goes deeper: her dad had a serious stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and unable to speak at just 66 years old. After watching her mother transition into the role of caregiver… being part of the search for suitable in-home care (and later nursing home care), and all the challenges in between, she’s been where you are.
Kristen brings a deep appreciation for elder law planning, the importance of having a plan in place before you need one. And she understands the emotional and financial stresses you face. You’re not alone, and you will get through this.
Let’s look at why some of these are so important…
Asset Protection
Asset protection is one of the most valuable services associated with Elder Law. Why? Because with soaring health care costs being a very real concern for us all, it’s the #1 path to protecting your future and ensuring the most comfortable lifestyle possible in the event you need care.
Nursing homes, medications, in-home care, and adjustments to your home to accommodate physical changes each carry significant cost. Through asset protection, we help you find legal ways to preserve your assets for your family’s future, while still making it possible for you to get the care you need.
Starting early is best – but no matter when you start, an asset protection plan will make all the difference to your resources and options.
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid is a program that provides healthcare benefits to low-income adults, pregnant women, elderly adults, children, and individuals with disabilities. It also covers custodial care (e.g., long-term care).
And given the high cost of care today, it’s a crucial form of assistance for millions of families.
Since it’s designed as a safety-net for those without sufficient resources to pay on their own, there are specific financial eligibility requirements – caps, if you will – on assets and income. Your finances must be BELOW certain asset and income thresholds in order to qualify.
Your financial situation will be reviewed going back either 2.5 years (for Medicaid home care benefits) or five years (for Medicaid nursing home benefits).
That’s why early Medicaid planning is ESSENTIAL! Give yourself a less-stressful life, with the care you want – without sacrificing your family legacy. We’re here to help!
Who We Help
Our elder law clients often include:
Adult children caring for aging parents
Spouses worried about protecting the healthy partner
Families facing a nursing home admission
Individuals planning ahead before a health crisis
Whether planning proactively or responding to an urgent situation, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Our Approach: Clear, Calm, and Customized
Elder law decisions are deeply personal. Our process is designed to feel supportive—not overwhelming.
You can expect:
Listening first – understanding your family, finances, and concerns
Clear explanations – no legal jargon, no pressure
Thoughtful planning – strategies aligned with North Carolina law
Ongoing support – guidance as circumstances changettorney?
How can an Elder Law attorney in Garner help you?
Guiding you through the early proactive planning process, working closely with your financial advisors if you have them, in order to protect both your assets and your well-being.
Proactively preparing for Medicaid readiness, to help ensure you or your loved one will be able to afford the forms of care they need and want – and protecting your spouse and family legacy, too.
Taking early action to avoid Medicaid’s estate recovery program, and genuine estate liens.
Using our experience to help you make better decisions and anticipate future medical needs, including long-term care, living will, designating someone to make medical decisions in case you’re unable to, and qualifying for Medicaid without depleting all assets.
Aging and health care both come with complex legal issues and regulations. And of course these laws vary by state! Whether you’re a lifelong North Carolinian, or have moved here to enjoy your retirement, it’s important to have both accurate and compassionate guidance.
The Happy Lawyer, Kristen Mackintosh, has the unique, personal, understanding of the impact that disability and aging can bring. From both professional and family experience, she gets what you’re going through, and all the significant ways these difficulties affect you and your loved ones – physically, socially, and financially.
Our experienced Garner, NC Elder Law attorney team at Mackintosh Law are ready to help you through this process, with personal care and compassion. Here are just some of the ways we dedicate ourselves to your best interests:
And Elder Law isn’t just for seniors. We can also serve the needs of war veterans and individuals with disabilities, and assist with conservatorship or guardianship if needed.
If you’re worried about aging, caregiving, or long-term care costs, the most important step is getting reliable guidance.
📞 Call (919) 336-4219 or
📅 Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss elder law planning tailored to your North Carolina family.
Take the Next Step
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters, led by a shared commitment to quality and care.
