Amanda Spence, Attorney
Elder Law
Amanda’s law practice is devoted to serving the needs of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and their families. She assists clients with estate planning, estate administration, special needs trusts, and guardianship. She helps clients protect their assets from the catastrophic costs of nursing home care, and she has represented clients in Medicaid applications and appeals in counties throughout North Carolina. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the North Carolina Bar Association. She has been accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with claims for benefits.
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Amanda Spence has over twenty-eight years of experience assisting clients with Estate Planning, including the preparation of Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney; Estate Administration and Probate; Medicaid Applications and Appeals; Guardianship; Veteran’s Benefits; and Asset Protection, including planning for long-term care.
Call Amanda Spence at (919) 863-4183 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment to discuss elder law, estate planning, administration, Medicaid applications and appeals, and related matters.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford health care costs. Medicaid serves low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
You may be eligible for Medicaid if you are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on your family’s monthly income and the amount of resources you own. To receive Medicaid for the blind or disabled, you must be evaluated by a doctor.
Veterans Aid and Assistance
Aid and Attendance is a benefit paid by Veterans Affairs (VA) to certain eligible veterans, veteran spouses or surviving spouses. It is paid in addition to a veteran’s basic pension benefits. Aid and Attendance may not be paid without eligibility to a VA basic pension.
Aid and Attendance is for financial help for in–home care, to pay for an assisted living facility, or a pay for nursing home care. The disability does not have to be a result of service. Benefits are paid to those applicants who are eligible for a VA pension and meet service requirements, certain disability requirements, and income and asset limitations.
Guardianship/ Conservatorship
Through the normal course of life and also because of unfortunate tragedies, many people have a period of time where they are not capable of making their own decisions regarding their healthcare and their finances. The inability to make decisions regarding healthcare and finances is often called a “loss of competence” or a “loss of capacity”.
If a person becomes incompetent, somebody, usually a close relative, must file a petition in a probate court asking the court to appoint a “guardian” or a “conservator” of the disabled person. Some states use the term “guardian” while other states use the term “conservator”. Both terms refer to a person who is granted legal authority to make personal or financial decisions for another person.
What Clients are saying about Amanda
“I just wanted to say I am so grateful I found you! You have guided me through the most painful period I have ever gone through….You have gone above and beyond in helping me navigate this estate. You were patient and kind when unexpected and difficult things arose. Just wanted you to know you are an awesome lawyer!”
“(The clients I referred to you) said how very pleased they were with your work…. They praised your pro-active approach and problem-solving, and thanked me for referring them to you…”
“Amanda I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate what you did for us.… if anyone needs your services that I am aware of I will surely send them your way.”
Blog
Do Attorneys Make House Calls?
From the 1800s through the 1950s, it was standard practice for doctors to make house calls. Sadly that practice has fallen by the wayside and patients are generally expected to show up at the doctor’s office or a hospital if they need medical care. Likewise, the...
How Old Do You Have to be to Need an Elder Law Attorney?
Many people assume that they don’t need the services of an Elder Law Attorney because they are not elderly. While Elder Law attorneys assist clients with issues that are often faced by senior citizens, the practice of Elder Law is not limited to just older clients....
Does Medicare or Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living?
Many people with Alzheimer’s or dementia end up moving into assisted living facilities. These people may be fairly healthy medically, but because of their dementia they need assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and remembering to take...