Long term care planning is the process of getting ready for help you may need as you get older or become seriously ill. It means thinking ahead about where you will live, who will care for you, how you’ll pay for that care, and how to protect your family and savings.
Many people think long term care only happens in a nursing home. However, it can also include help at home, adult day care, assisted living, or care from a family member.
Planning now helps ensure your wishes are followed and can ease the burden on your loved ones. Our Texas elder law lawyer will help you create a plan that fits your life and protects your future.
Call or text (800) 562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Why Long Term Care Planning Matters for You and Your Family
As we know, life doesn’t always go as expected. A stroke, fall, or illness can change everything overnight. Planning ahead can help you stay in control.
Without a plan in place:
- Your family may have to make tough choices without knowing your wishes.
- You could lose your savings paying for care.
- The wrong people may be left in charge of your decisions.
Long term care planning helps you:
- Choose where and how you want to be cared for.
- Make a plan to pay for care without draining your savings.
- Name trusted people to help with medical or financial decisions.
- Avoid court battles or delays.
A good plan covers both legal and financial tools. Some of the most common pieces include:
- Powers of attorney: This legal document gives someone you trust the legal right to make medical or financial decisions if you can’t.
- Living will or advance directive: These documents explain what care you want—or don’t want—if you become seriously ill or unable to speak for yourself.
- Medicaid planning: This helps protect your savings and qualify for Medicaid benefits if needed in the future.
- Trusts or wills: These tools help control how your money, home, or other property will be managed or passed on.
- Care preferences: You can list where you want to live and what type of care you prefer if you ever need help with daily tasks.
We can make sure each of these tools fits together in a way that works for you.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
Who Needs to Put a Plan Into Place?
Planning is not just for older adults. It’s for anyone who wants peace of mind.
You may need a plan for long term care if you:
- Are getting older and want to stay in control of your future.
- Have health problems that could worsen over time.
- Have a loved one with special needs or dementia.
- Want to protect your home and savings from care costs.
- Want to avoid burdening your family with hard choices.
Even if you feel healthy today, making a plan early means fewer problems later. An attorney from our firm will help you build a plan that changes as your needs do.
Legal Guidance Is Available as You Plan for the Future
Planning for long term care involves more than just filling out forms. We will give you advice that matches your personal situation and future goals.
Our lawyer will:
- Explain your options: We will walk you through care choices, payment options, and laws that affect you.
- Create strong legal documents: These include powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and healthcare directives that follow Texas law.
- Protect your assets: They can help you qualify for Medicaid or set up trusts that protect your home and savings.
- Updates your plan: As your health or family changes, your plan should change too. A lawyer can review and revise it as needed.
A Closer Look at Medicaid and Paying for Care for the Long Term
Many families worry about how they are going to pay for long term care. In Texas, nursing home care can cost thousands of dollars each month.
Medicare does not cover most long term care, and private insurance may not be enough. That’s where Medicaid planning comes in.
Our lawyer will help you:
- Legally protect assets while preparing to apply for Medicaid.
- Avoid mistakes that delay benefits or cause penalties.
- Understand the “look-back” period and how to plan early.
Getting legal advice before applying is key. Waiting too long can cost you money or delay the help you need.
When Should You Start Long Term Care Planning?
The best time to start is before you need care. Starting early means more options and less stress. You will have time to:
- Choose the right care for your needs.
- Put the right people in charge.
- Protect your savings.
- Avoid rushed decisions in a crisis.
Even if you didn’t plan ahead, it’s not too late. Our attorney will still help you make smart choices and get the help you need now.
Need Help With Long Term Care Planning? Call Us Today
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we help Texans plan for the road ahead. We’ve been serving families for over 30 years—since 1992—and we use over 120 years of combined experience as we focus only on disability-related claims. We also help with elder law planning and long term care decisions.
We will guide you through every step and explain everything in plain language. Call today for a consultation to learn how we can help with your long term care planning.
Your future is worth protecting, and you can start today.