Lawyer of Firm Description

About Marsha Goodman – Elder Law Phoenix Arizona

Marsha Goodman at Specific Law Firm brings elder law phoenix arizona families the comprehensive, compassionate guidance that seniors and their caregivers need when confronting the financial, legal, and healthcare complexities of aging. Operating from North 5th Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona, Attorney Goodman and her team specialize in ALTCS qualification, guardianship, estate planning, powers of attorney, and long-term care strategy. Families throughout Maricopa County searching for elder law attorneys in Phoenix, AZ will find a practitioner with deep knowledge of Arizona’s unique elder care landscape and the state-specific programs that make a critical difference for aging residents.

Arizona’s Long Term Care System (ALTCS) serves approximately 26,000 Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) members statewide, with an income limit of $2,982 per month as of 2024 per AHCCCS. Navigating ALTCS eligibility, Miller Trusts, and asset spend-down strategies requires specialized knowledge, and multiple Marsha Goodman reviews specifically name her as the attorney clients call when a family member needs to qualify for ALTCS. Her team includes a nurse and healthcare case manager who visits clients, giving the elder law phoenix arizona practice a genuinely 360-degree view of each client’s situation.

What Clients Say

Clients describe Marsha Goodman as a trusted guide through some of the most stressful decisions families ever face. Reviewers highlight her ALTCS expertise, her patience in explaining complex legal documents, and her team’s genuine compassion. One client with a doctoral degree described the ALTCS application process as impossible to figure out alone, and credited Marsha and paralegal Berny with saving her family member from eviction and qualifying him for long-term care. Another client’s mother had her entire estate organized, including a trust for a disabled sibling, in the months before she passed. The team’s responsiveness and the presence of an on-staff nurse distinguishes this practice from typical estate planning firms.

Elder Law Phoenix – Practice Areas and Services

ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System) qualification
Miller Trust setup and management
Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
Powers of attorney and healthcare directives
Estate planning for seniors and families
Long-term care strategy and coordination

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ALTCS and how does it help Arizona seniors?

ALTCS is Arizona’s Medicaid program for people who require a nursing facility level of care, covering services like home health aides, adult day programs, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. To qualify, applicants must meet both functional (medical need) and financial criteria. Arizona uses a strict income test with a monthly limit near $2,982 (2024), and applicants over the limit can use a Miller Trust to establish eligibility. Asset limits also apply, with complex rules around exempt and countable resources. An elder law attorney who understands ALTCS can build a legal strategy that achieves eligibility while protecting as much of the family’s assets as possible.

When should a family consider setting up a power of attorney in Arizona?

A durable financial power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney should be established while the senior is still legally competent to sign. Once cognitive decline reaches the point of legal incapacity, the family must go through the court-supervised guardianship and conservatorship process, which is far more expensive and time-consuming. The right time to plan is well before a crisis, ideally as part of a comprehensive estate plan. An elder law attorney can draft documents that reflect the client’s specific wishes, including provisions for managing assisted living costs or qualifying for government benefits.

Quick Facts: Elder Law in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona ALTCS Enrollment: Approximately 26,000 EPD (Elderly and Physically Disabled) members enrolled in ALTCS statewide, with an income limit near $2,982/month in 2024 – AHCCCS.gov
Arizona Senior Population: Maricopa County is home to one of the largest 65+ populations in the US, with Phoenix among the fastest-growing metro areas for retirees – U.S. Census Bureau
Medicaid Planning: Arizona’s Medicaid look-back period for asset transfers is 60 months, making early planning critical for families considering long-term care – AHCCCS Arizona

Related Guide: Phoenix, AZ Lawyers

AI-Powered Reviews Summary

Marsha Goodman, an Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney in Phoenix, Arizona, is highly regarded by her clients for her compassionate and knowledgeable approach to legal matters. Many reviews highlight her ability to provide clear guidance, support families through difficult situations, and ensure that clients feel empowered in their decision-making processes. With a reputation for being responsive and dedicated, Marsha has earned the trust of those seeking assistance in navigating the complexities of elder care and estate planning.

Users Reviews Comments – Google

I reached out to Ms. Goodman to learn more about setting up a trust for my brother. Each of our three conversations was a miserable experience. She was rude, heartless, and unhelpful.

She was very rude to me, it seems that she likes to humiliate people, that smile is false , be careful when calling this lady to ask for legal services.

Marsha Goodman answered directly which was amazing ! She answered my questions, very direct which I appreciate and kind for sharing her knowledge. At least now I have some direction.

Marsha helped my wife and I through a stressful Guardianship situation. During that time she was very easy to reach and always ready to help. Additionally, she has many contacts in the “Elder Care” community which she will gladly share to help you make difficult decisions. She’s great!

Marsha is an attorney you can trust. A few years ago, my family and I started working with Marsha. My mom wanted to get her estate in order, especially since she needed to set up a Trust. Marsha took care of everything. She met with us to explain in detail what we needed to do. At the meeting, she was patient and caring. She was even cool with telephone conferencing in my sister who lives in another state. She gave her recommendations and let my mom decide what was best for her. She gave us time to make decisions and write down notes. After the meeting, she followed through! First came my mom’s Will, power of attorney, Living Will, etc; then, she set up the disabled Trust for my brother. I cannot remember all the legal documents she did for us, but she got everything, and I mean everything, in order before my mom passed away 3 months after our 1st meeting with Marsha.

Marsha Goodman is the attorney you want if you are trying to qualify your aging parent for ALTCS. Marsha is unbelievably knowledgeable, persistent and worth her weight in gold. Thank you Marsha and Berny. You both are amazing! This is Melissa Fogle.

Our family has been working with Marsha Goodman and her team for a year now. Their support, knowledge, and counsel, have made a huge difference for us as we have navigated through the legalities of caring for our father’s best interests. They listen, work well together, express compassion, and explain the legalities with clarity so it is easy to understand if you are not a lawyer. We are renewing our contract for another year. I highly recommend Marsha and her team. Their knowledge and support empower clients to make the best possible decisions for elder concerns.

I met Marsha when she was volunteering her time on a military board. She is extremely knowledgeable and kind. She has helped me anytime I have needed it. I highly recommend her for anyone needing assistance.

I had the pleasure of meeting Marsha Goodman when she was the guest speaker at the Lupus Educational Symposium. She spoke about long term planning and discussed legal considerations for people with chronic illnesses. Ms Goodman’s presentation was excellent, participants described it as enlightening, easy to understand and engaging. In addition, she was quite knowledgeble regarding legal long term planning issues of specific importance to people with chronic illnesses.

Marsha has been my Mom’s attorney for many years, and reliably guided her through setting up for her last years. It was a much needed comfort to know she was in good hands with Marsha Goodman and her staff overseeing her estate. I highly recommend Marsha to anyone seeking an ethical and intelligent attorney.

Marsha was exceptionally helpful and answered all of my questions promptly! She took the time to listen to my concerns and gave me all the information I needed! Highly recommend!!

My mother and I feel extremely fortunate to have had attorney Marsha Goodman on our side for the past several months. We simply could not have navigated the complicated issues that come with aging on our own. These issues were financial, legal, and also invaluable guidance in finding the right care situation for my father, and even health-related advice for both. Even with questions that seem beyond a lawyer’s office to advise – we are consistently steered in smart directions. Her team is both personally involved, very available and generous with their time. I have enjoyed meeting with them on all occasions, even for discussing difficult things. It’s reassuring to have them in our corner. It really is 360 degrees of attention, they work hard and we have benefited from it.

I have been working with Marsha and her team for about a year now. I took over Power of Attorney for a family member who is unable to care for himself. My family member’s financial affairs were in such disarray that he was facing eviction from his assisted living facility and could not support himself with the resources he had. Marsha drew up the Power of Attorney paperwork, provided education about what those reponsibilities entail, advised me on how to handle his financial troubles, and negotiated with the facility to allow him to stay. Then she and her paralegal, Berny, walked us through applying for ALTCS so that my family member could have long-term assistance for his health care. The ALTCS process was long and detailed. Without Marsha and Berny, there is no way I could have figured it out (and I have a doctorate degree!). Marsha and Berny advised the best financial strategy, including setting up a Miller Trust, in order to best manage his finances and eligibility for ALTCS. Marsha also has Tracy, a nurse and health care case manager, on her team. It has been extremely helpful to have Tracy in the room to discuss my family member’s health and how it is related to all the financial and legal issues. She visits my family member regularly to keep a pulse on his health care needs. She also provides advice about how to best discuss these issues with him as he has significant cognitive decline and can no longer understand complexity the way he used to. I honestly had no idea how much I was taking on when I took over Power of Attorney responsibilities. I also had no idea about the services and support that were available. Marsha and her team represented my family member’s interests and are an invaluable part of the reason he is doing so much better today than a year ago. They were exactly the guiding force I needed to get his financial affairs back on track. They saved me loads of time and were responsive whenever I contacted them. Marsha, Berny, and Tracy were compassionate and knowledgeable. They advocated for my family member in ways I did not have the expertise to do. I am grateful beyond words. I cannot give a higher recommendation.

Marsha provided great advice when my family was put in a difficult situation after the passing of a relative. Her recommendations allowed us to settle the affairs quickly and without issue. Highly recommended.

Great attorney