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Medicaid Planning

Houston, Texas: Medicaid and Estate Planning Law Firm

Wright Abshire, Attorneys
Houston, Texas
(713) 660-9595 ∙ (800) 280-4759
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Advanced Medicaid planning is one of the most important parts of any estate planning process. If your estate planning documents do not help you achieve Medicaid eligibility without requiring you to spend down all your life's savings, then something is probably wrong with your estate plan.

At the elder law firm of Wright Abshire, Attorneys, located in Houston, Texas, our attorneys have advanced experience managing the estate planning process for people concerned about Medicaid eligibility.

Advanced Planning for Medicaid Eligibility

The earlier we get involved in our clients' estate planning and Medicaid eligibility process, the easier it is for us to give our clients the peace of mind that comes from knowing their financial future is secure into advanced old age.

Our attorneys are available to prepare an entire estate plan, including the instruments necessary to preserve Medicaid eligibility. We are also available to review an existing estate plan and recommend modifications to achieve Medicaid eligibility. Some of the issues we look at include:

Crisis Situations: Emergency Medicaid Eligibility Questions

Although advanced planning is best, we also urge our clients to explore all their options in the sad event that a family member needs emergency admittance into a nursing home. Even if you are denied Medicaid coverage, we may be able to help.

If you have been denied Medicaid coverage and are being required to pay nursing home expenses out-of-pocket, you may be able to save a significant portion of your assets by having your Medicaid application and your assets reviewed by our elder law attorneys. We will look at asset levels, monthly income amounts, any prohibited gifts or asset transfers. In many instances, we are able to make changes to your estate plan or mount a successful appeal of the denial of Medicaid benefits.

Certified Elder Law Attorneys

Our attorneys are uniquely qualified to provide legal advice and representation in all legal matters relating to Medicaid eligibility and estate planning. Both partners, Wesley Wright and Molly Abshire, are certified elder law attorneys (CELAs) by the National Elder Law Foundation. Mr. Wright is also Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a member of the Special Needs Alliance (SNA), an invitation-only national organization committed to helping people who have family members with special needs.

Contact Wright Abshire, Attorneys, for a Consultation

Our lawyers are always available to consult with new clients — either regarding Medicaid planning for the future or an emergency Medicaid situation. To schedule a confidential appointment, send us an e-mail or call us toll-free at (800) 280-4759.

From our offices in Bellaire, Texas (a city within Houston), we represent clients throughout the Houston area as well as statewide. We also represent clients from other states with elderly family members in Texas. Our attorneys can make home, hospital or nursing home visits outside of the Houston area when necessary. And in some cases, many of our legal services can be provided over the telephone for our clients' convenience.

A Few Medicaid Planning Scenarios

Melanie, 68, is healthy. She is pre-planning for long-term care ("LTC"). She has assets totaling $300,000. An elder law attorney may be able to help Melanie reposition her assets so that she will qualify for Medicaid within five years. If she needs Medicaid sooner, the plan can be revised at that time.

Doris gave $100,000 to her son in October 2006, when she was in good health. She suffered a stroke in January 2007, and she entered a nursing home and applied for Medicaid in February 2007. She was notified that Medicaid would not help with her nursing home costs because of the $100,000 gift that she made in October 2006. An elder law attorney may be able to help get Doris qualified for nursing home Medicaid despite the $100,000 gift.

Vivian, 72, owns an out-of-state homestead. She entered a nursing home and applied for Medicaid. Her application was denied because she owns an out-of-state homestead. After consulting an elder law attorney, Vivian may be able to take certain actions that could allow her out-of-state home to be exempt for Medicaid eligibility purposes.

Bob, 85, lives at home (i.e., he is the community spouse). His wife, Barbara, 82, entered a nursing home. The couple's combined assets are $200,000. An elder law attorney may be able to arrange for all of the couple's assets ($200,000) to be protected for Bob's needs at home. Thus, Barbara may be able to qualify for Medicaid without having to spend down any of the couple's assets.

For more information about qualifying for Medicaid, contact the Houston, Texas, elder law firm of Wright Abshire, Attorneys.