As stated in my question I signed admission papers for my Dad in a nursing home. He had a joint CD with my sister and she withdrew the funds in 2009. She refuses to give back the money. I don't know what do do regarding medicaid. I had 37K in a joint CD with my dad which I surrendered. What will happen now. Will medicaid go after her or will I be penalized since I signed the admission papers?
Don't be deceived into thinking that it is somehow your fault and burden. If your dad elected to receive care at home he would still need that money. That is why he worked and saved.
Sad as it is, sometimes money and control show us who people really are. Give some people a little bit of control and they stomp all over others. Give some people a little money to hold & they will show their loyalty really fast.
You seem like a good person - take care & ask that people help you.
I don't know if your attorney disclosed to you what you might do to help yourself in advance. Unless you have unlimited funds, try being direct with him and asking what you might do yourself, versus his office staff or his own time. Tell him you have a budget and want to stick to it. Usually the person who handles the billing in the nursing home, and / or the business manager can give you much info for free.
Has the nursing home already billed Medicaid? If so, ask for advice on disclosure of this CD. The nursing home just wants to be paid, so it is in your and your father's interests to have Medicaid pay the nursing home and recover the money, which they will do if it is disclosed after the fact or discovered on audit. The rate that Medicaid pays is probably less than the daily rate that you signed for on admission. Assuming your dad is not handling his own affairs or is relying on you & your sister for help then the person who filled out the paperwork, or helped him fill out the paperwork to qualify for Medicaid is mandated to disclose any accounts that they are aware of.
Good luck, it will take some work on your part but it will be worth it.