How to Properly Protect Your Home, Assets & Estate

What happens to your home, savings and property if you’ve spent decades with a partner—but never got married? On this episode of Legally Speaking, Kirsten Hildebrand and Matt Kaplan explain why unmarried couples in Wisconsin can face major estate-planning risks, including the important reality that Wisconsin does not recognize common-law marriage. They discuss how estate planning and asset protection trusts can help unmarried partners, siblings and other family members protect property and plan for long-term care. Plus, what happens when someone enters a nursing home, how Medicaid’s five-year look-back period works, why timing is critical and how nursing home expenses can quickly consume a lifetime of savings. Kirsten and Matt also explain why planning ahead can help preserve assets for the people you love—and share real-world examples of how even a relatively modest inheritance can make a lasting difference for the next generation. This program is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice.