Bellomo & Associates, LLC Offers Essential Legal Guidance to Help Families Keep Loved Ones at Home
Bellomo & Associates, LLC has released new guidance to help families understand the legal, financial, and emotional considerations involved in caring for aging loved ones at home. The firm emphasizes that most older adults wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible, valuing the comfort, dignity, and independence that home provides. However, doing so can be challenging without proper planning and support.
According to the firm, family caregiving offers significant emotional and practical benefits, strengthening family relationships and providing a sense of stability for older adults. Still, caregiving can introduce financial strain, emotional stress, and complicated family dynamics if not carefully organized.
A major focus of the firm’s guidance is the importance of implementing a formal caregiver agreement. This written contract, also known as a personal care contract, outlines the caregiver’s duties, hours, and compensation. Bellomo & Associates highlights three core reasons every family should consider such an agreement: preventing family conflict, protecting Medicaid and Veterans Administration (VA) benefit eligibility, and ensuring proper tax reporting.
The firm explains that when caregiving payments are made to a family member without a written agreement, Medicaid or the VA may classify those payments as gifts, potentially triggering penalties and delaying benefits. By contrast, a properly drafted caregiver agreement documents the arrangement as legitimate compensation, helping safeguard eligibility for essential long-term care programs.
Bellomo & Associates also stresses the importance of accurate financial and tax documentation. Caregiver payments must be reported as taxable income, and maintaining detailed records—such as time logs and payment histories—helps demonstrate compliance and accountability.
In addition to legal considerations, the firm addresses the emotional and financial challenges faced by caregivers, noting that many adult children reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely to care for a parent. Without proper planning, this may create long-term financial consequences and increase the risk of caregiver burnout.
The firm encourages families to integrate caregiver agreements into a broader long-term care strategy, including Medicaid and VA planning, powers of attorney, health care directives, estate planning, and asset protection. A comprehensive approach ensures that both the caregiver and care recipient are protected while maximizing available resources.
Bellomo & Associates invites families considering home-based caregiving to seek legal guidance early, noting that professional support can prevent costly mistakes and help families create arrangements that are fair, transparent, and sustainable.
“With the right planning, keeping a loved one at home can be one of the most meaningful and rewarding decisions a family makes,” the firm said in its announcement.
Families interested in learning more or scheduling a consultation can contact Bellomo & Associates, LLC for personalized guidance on caregiver agreements and long-term care planning.
