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 aspence@allenspence.com to set up an appointment to discuss elder law, estate planning, administration, Medicaid applications and appeals, and related matters.
Elder Law
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.
Elder Law
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.
Elder Law
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
North Carolina Medicaid – Helpful Links
North Carolina Medicaid – Helpful Links If you’re researching the eligibility rules for Medicaid in North Carolina, here are some helpful links: North Carolina Medicaid Manual This online manual contains the policy used by county caseworkers in determining...
How to Open an Estate in North Carolina
How to Open an Estate in North Carolina If you’ve been appointed as an Executor under a North Carolina resident’s Last Will and Testament, you must bring the original Will to the courthouse in the county where the decedent lived and qualify to administer the Estate....
How to Apply for Medicaid in North Carolina
How to Apply for Medicaid in North Carolina If you or a loved one are faced with a stay in rehab or a skilled nursing facility, you very quickly learn that Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance typically cover the cost of care in a rehab or nursing home for only...
