I have been doing OK with my Parkinson’s, but at some point, I will probably need
nursing-home care. You often write about how expensive that is, and how, to get
Medicaid to pay for it, you need a special kind of irrevocable trust. Doesn’t “irrevocable”
mean you can’t ever change the trust? That makes me nervous.

The word “irrevocable” does generally mean “irreversible,” but even so, an irrevocable
trust might be a good fit. The trust we would create for you would still permit some
important changes.
For example, suppose the tax laws get rewritten later to increase the tax burden. That
can happen. We know how to write your trust to permit us to respond, to create different
trust terms to adjust for that unforeseen consequence. We can even start again from
scratch, within certain limitations, thanks to a new “decanting” law that passed in
Arkansas last year.
Or suppose you named your grandson as trust beneficiary, but he later turns out to be a
white-collar criminal. Not every irrevocable trust would permit you to change your mind
about him, but ours would. You could replace him with a more worthy person or charity
in your will.
To prepare you to apply for Medicaid, we would help you reorganize your finances.
When the time comes, you will have sheltered your money for your heirs, and you will
qualify for assistance under Medicaid rules that require you to own very little yourself.
You will have an irrevocable trust that still allows important flex capability where it
counts.
Careful planning is essential, though, so it’s wise to think ahead. Ideally, you will have
your finances in order at least five years before you will need Medicaid. If you need it
before that, though, we have ways to save you money even so.
It has taken years of study and experience to learn the complex Medicaid ins-and-outs.
Entrust your legacy to us who have put in that time and effort.