Ann Arbor Elder Law, PLLC

Ann Arbor Elder Law, PLLC provides Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, and estate planning to families in Washtenaw County and surrounding regions. Founder Reid McCarthy personally handles all client matters and offers house calls, specializing in asset preservation strategies for families facing nursing home costs averaging $90,000 annually.

About

Ann Arbor Elder Law, PLLC provides Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, and estate planning services to families throughout Washtenaw County and the surrounding region, including parts of Wayne, Lenawee, Livingston, and Monroe Counties. Founded by Reid McCarthy, the firm addresses one of the most pressing financial challenges many families face: the cost of nursing home care, which averages $90,000 annually in southeastern Michigan.

The firm's approach goes beyond traditional estate planning documents. Rather than focusing narrowly on what happens after death, Ann Arbor Elder Law emphasizes planning for incapacity, nursing care needs, and family issues that arise during a parent's or spouse's lifetime. McCarthy founded the practice after recognizing, through his own family's experience, that most people lack options and clarity when a loved one requires long-term care. When his grandfather suffered a stroke and required nursing home placement, McCarthy's grandmother faced the prospect of losing her home to pay for care. That experience crystallized his commitment to helping families navigate these complex situations with expertise and compassion.

McCarthy personally handles client matters rather than delegating to paralegals. He answers his own phone and makes himself available for house calls, recognizing that families in a "Medicaid crisis" need more than legal advice—they need counsel from someone who understands the emotional and practical dimensions of the situation. His goal is to help clients develop a comprehensive plan that anticipates the difficulties many families encounter as a parent or spouse ages, with the dual aims of preserving assets and providing for a surviving spouse's security.

The firm serves clients who are already in nursing homes seeking to protect remaining assets, as well as those currently living independently but facing potential future care needs. McCarthy's background includes study at Penn State Law School and experience handling the intricate rules governing Medicaid eligibility and asset preservation strategies. A native of Ann Arbor and graduate of Ann Arbor Community High School, he returned to Washtenaw County after law school and now brings both local knowledge and technical proficiency to his practice. When not meeting with clients, McCarthy pursues his interests in gardening and fly fishing on the Huron River with his family.

Overview compiled from the firm's website