Sunset Elder Law has opened in Owensboro, offering estate planning and long-term care services aimed at helping families protect their assets. The practice is owned by attorney Kurtis Sunset, who launched the firm earlier this year.
Sunset, originally from McLean County, has practiced law since 2017. He began his career in Florida handling real estate cases before moving into elder law. He said he was drawn to the field because of its focus on protecting families and preserving property.
“I saw how much we could preserve and protect for families, and actually help save them more money than I’m making in a fee type of situation,” Sunset said. “The people are always really great that I get to work with, and the families are in the community.”
Sunset Elder Law offers a range of services including wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and trusts such as Medicaid asset protection trusts. The firm also assists families with Medicaid approval when a loved one enters a nursing home — a process Sunset said can quickly become overwhelming and costly without proper planning.
He noted that nursing home care can cost between $8,000 and $12,000 a month, potentially depleting assets within months. Sunset said he often works with families in two scenarios: pre-planning for long-term care beginning around age 60, and crisis planning when someone already needs care.
A key service Sunset emphasizes is the Medicaid asset protection trust, which shields real estate and farmland from being counted as assets during Medicaid eligibility reviews. Sunset said placing property in such a trust at least five years before care is needed ensures it can be passed down to children rather than being sold during estate recovery.
“Being able to protect people’s real property is really rewarding,” Sunset said. “Sadly, I see so many people that come to me too late, and I have to have the hard conversation that they’ve got to sell the property, even if it’s been in the family for generations.”
In addition to legal work, Sunset Elder Law takes what he calls a “life care planning” approach, guiding clients through decisions about assisted living, financial planning, and long-term care options. He said he hopes to introduce this more holistic model, already common in larger Kentucky cities, to western Kentucky families.
The firm currently has three staff members in addition to Sunset, including a secretary, a community engagement director, and a marketing coordinator. Sunset said he wants his team to be visible and active in local events rather than only offering financial sponsorships.
Free 30-minute consultations are available, and Sunset said education is at the core of his practice. “The more I can educate, the more I can save,” he said.
More information is available at sunsetelderlaw.com.
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By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times