If you're reading this, you may already know the uncomfortable truth: long-term care can wipe out a lifetime of savings—fast. A few years in a nursing home or extended home care can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Medicare generally does not pay for custodial long-term care.
For many families, the goal isn't “free care.” The goal is control :
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Protecting a home and savings for a spouse and children
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Preserving choice and dignity as health changes
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Avoiding a last-minute crisis plan
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Reducing family conflict and administrative chaos
One of the most effective tools for proactive Medicaid planning is an irrevocable trust designed for asset protection (often called a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust ). Done well, it can be a cornerstone of a calm, well-funded aging plan.
This is also the kind of legal work where cut corners become expensive later .
What an Irrevocable Medicaid Planning Trust Is (in Plain English)
An irrevocable Medicaid planning trust is a legal structure that can help you:
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Protect certain assets from being counted for Medicaid eligibility (after the applicable “look-back” period)
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Keep assets available for your family—without losing everything to care costs
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Put a clear plan in place before a health event forces rushed decisions
In most cases, you (the person planning) cannot keep direct control over trust assets the way you could with a revocable living trust. That's the point: Medicaid rules generally focus on what you can access or control. A properly designed irrevocable trust is built to align with those rules.
That said, “irrevocable” does not mean “reckless” or “out of your hands.” It means the trust must be drafted carefully so you can still:
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Live in your home (if the home is transferred to the trust)
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Choose trustworthy decision-makers (trustees)
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Protect your family with clear, enforceable instructions
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Coordinate the plan with taxes, estate planning, and real-world family dynamics
Who This Strategy Is For
An irrevocable trust for Medicaid planning is typically a good fit for people who:
You want to protect meaningful assets
You may own a home, have retirement accounts, investment accounts, or savings you don't want consumed by long-term care costs.
You can plan ahead (not in the middle of a crisis)
The strongest Medicaid planning is done before care is needed. If your family is already facing an immediate nursing home admission, there may still be options—but the strategy may be different and more urgent.
You care about getting it right the first time
This isn't a document you want “almost right.” A poorly drafted trust can create:
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Medicaid denial or delays
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Unintended tax consequences
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Inability to sell/refinance property
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Family conflict over trustee powers
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Problems that only appear years later—when it's hardest to fix
You value certainty more than bargain pricing
If you're willing to invest $8,500 in this work, you're likely prioritizing:
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High-quality drafting
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Thoughtful design tailored to your assets and family
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Clear instructions and follow-through so the trust actually works in real life
Why the Fee Is $8,500
Many people ask why an irrevocable trust for Medicaid planning costs more than “a trust online” or a basic estate plan.
Because what you're paying for is not paper—it's the outcome.
A properly designed Medicaid planning trust requires careful work across multiple areas:
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Medicaid eligibility rules and how transfers are treated
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Trust design (distributions, trustee powers, safeguards, and prohibitions)
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Tax planning (income tax treatment, capital gains considerations, and avoiding avoidable problems)
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Asset funding strategy (home, bank accounts, brokerage accounts—what to transfer, what not to transfer, and how)
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Family planning (choosing trustees, successor trustees, and avoiding future conflict)
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Implementation details (deeds, coordination with beneficiary designations, and supporting documentation)
The real risk isn't paying for a trust. The real risk is paying for a trust that fails when your family needs it most.
Common Questions We Hear
“Will I lose control of everything?”
Not everything—and not in the way most people fear—but you should expect real limits . The trust is designed to shift assets out of your “available” control for Medicaid purposes. The planning is about balancing protection with practicality.
“Can I still live in my home?”
Often yes, if the home is transferred to the trust and the trust is drafted appropriately. Many clients choose this specifically to protect the home while continuing to live there.
“What about my retirement accounts?”
Most retirement accounts (like IRAs) require special handling. Often, we don't “move” an IRA into an irrevocable trust the way we might with a house or brokerage account. A comprehensive plan coordinates retirement assets with the Medicaid strategy.
“What if I need care soon?”
If care is imminent, your options may include crisis Medicaid planning strategies. They can work, but they are more complex and time-sensitive. The earlier you start, the more choices you typically have.
What Working With Our Office Looks Like
Our process is designed to be thorough and practical, not overwhelming:
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Planning meeting to understand assets, goals, timeline, and family structure
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Strategy and design tailored to your situation (not a template)
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Drafting and review in plain English so you understand what you're signing
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Execution and implementation guidance so the plan is funded and functional
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Coordination with related documents as needed (powers of attorney, healthcare directives, beneficiary alignments)
If we agree that an irrevocable trust is the right tool, we'll build a plan that is designed to hold up under real scrutiny—not just look good on paper.
The Bottom Line
If your priority is to protect a home and assets from long-term care costs , and you value a plan that is structured carefully, an irrevocable Medicaid planning trust may be the right solution.
It's not for everyone. But for the right family, it can turn an uncertain future into a clear plan—and protect the legacy you built.
Call 414-253-8500 or send us a message to find out whether an irrevocable trust is right for you.