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How Do I Find Out If There Is a Medicaid Lien on My Mom's House?

  • February 10th, 2016
Q
How can I find out if Medicaid has a lien on my mother's house in Pennsylvania? She signed some papers that the state can take half of the value of her house. My father was only in the nursing home for six months before he passed. Is there a website to find the lien on the sale of the house? My mother has no idea how to get this information. Please advise.
A

You can go to the registry of deeds to see if a lien has been filed. It's possible that this information is online. Even if you find a lien, that might not be the end of the story. In Massachusetts, if the house is in joint names, the state's claim disappears at death. The lien may still be on record, but if you ask the state Medicaid agency, it will sign a release of the lien. We strongly recommend that you consult with a Pennsylvania elder law attorney, who can explain the papers your mother signed, what the current situation is, and what steps (if any) your mother should take now. To find an attorney near you, click here. 

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Last Modified: 02/10/2016

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