Shannon Pawley, The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm Owner, helps readers understand how best to navigate Medicaid’s 5-year lookback.

DECATUR, GA, April 16, 2025: Shannon Pawley, Owner of The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm, has posted a new blog on the law firm’s website entitled “What Medicaid Is Looking For In The 5-Year Lookback” in which Ms. Pawley educates readers helping them avoid this common stumbling block that prevents so many from receiving long-term care.

As Pawley notes, “Applying for Medicaid for long-term care services such as nursing home care is a benefit that many seniors believe is part of their Medicare benefits.” She emphasizes, “However, that is a mistaken notion. Medicaid is a separate state and federal government program that is not affiliated with Medicare which is a federal program for people over 65 years of age.” She adds, “However, seniors can apply for Medicaid long-term care services. But there is one important feature of applying that often causes many people to be denied. This is the 5-Year Lookback.”

“Because Medicaid is a program designed to assist with medical expenses for low-income individuals,” Pawley explains, “the lookback period plays an essential role in preventing individuals from transferring assets to family members or others to become eligible for benefits.” She adds, “The 5-year lookback refers to the period before applying for Medicaid, during which the applicant’s financial transactions are reviewed. Medicaid authorities examine the applicant’s asset transfers to see if any assets were given away or sold for less than their fair market value in the past five years. This is done to ensure that people do not intentionally reduce their assets to qualify for Medicaid when they otherwise wouldn’t.”

The entire blog can be read here: What Medicaid Is Looking For In The 5-Year Lookback

About The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm

The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm was established to serve the legal needs of retiring citizens. The Firm focuses its entire practice on providing strategies to protect independence, privacy, assets and taxes from the government. Shannon Pawley has grown her law practice by providing excellent customer satisfaction with personalized wealth protection plans.

About Shannon M. Pawley, J.D., LL.M

Shannon is the Owner and CEO of The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm. Originally from the Tidewater area of Virginia, she grew up in a close-knit family with a strong tradition of military service. She learned early on the importance of integrity, hard work, and giving back to her community. Her upbringing shaped her desire to make a positive impact and instilled a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that every individual is treated with respect and care.

Her passion for serving others took root during her junior year of high school, when she served as a U.S. House of Representatives Page during the 101st Congressional Session in Washington, D.C. This life-changing experience opened her eyes to the power of diverse perspectives and the importance of advocating for those whose voices are often unheard. Inspired by the experience, Shannon decided to pursue a career in law, dedicated to guiding others through life’s most challenging moments.

Shannon’s educational journey led her to North Carolina Wesleyan College, where she earned her undergraduate degree, followed by a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. She then specialized further, obtaining an LL.M. in Taxation from Wayne State University. Licensed to practice in both Michigan and Georgia, Shannon is also a VA Accredited Attorney, making her a formidable advocate for her clients.

Throughout her career, Shannon has been a fierce champion for clients from all walks of life, representing everyone from international corporations to single parents. She has always been driven by a profound belief that everyone deserves to have their rights and wishes honored, especially when they are most vulnerable. Whether advocating in the courtroom or guiding families through complex legal decisions, Shannon’s mission is clear: to protect the dignity and independence of every client she serves.

Her passion for advocacy goes beyond legal representation—it’s about ensuring that people’s voices are heard, even when they may not be able to speak for themselves. Shannon is deeply committed to helping her clients age with dignity, grace, and independence, working tirelessly to prepare them and their families for the complexities of aging. Her work is more than a profession; it is a calling to serve, empower, and uplift every individual and family she has the privilege to represent.