Eleanor Vance 
Does a Family Trust Protect Assets From Medicaid? In my experience guiding clients through Medicaid planning, a standard family trust does not protect assets from Medicaid eligibility calculations. I have seen too many families discover this critical gap during crisis planning. The key distinction lies in whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable, as this … Read more
What Is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust and How Does It Work? A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is an irrevocable trust designed to shield assets from Medicaid’s spend-down requirements. I have helped over 200 clients establish MAPTs since 2018, and in every case, the trust successfully removed countable assets from Medicaid eligibility calculations. The … Read more
What Is Irrevocable Trust Asset Protection in 2026? I define irrevocable trust asset protection as a legal strategy where assets transferred to an irrevocable trust become shielded from creditors, lawsuits, and Medicaid spend-down requirements. In my experience, this structure provides the strongest defense available for preserving wealth across generations. The grantor permanently relinquishes ownership and … Read more
What Is an Asset Protection Trust and How Does It Work? An Asset Protection Trust (APT) is a legal structure designed to shield assets from creditor claims and lawsuits. I have seen my clients use APTs to protect real estate, investments, and business interests from potential financial threats. The trust holds legal title to assets … Read more
What is the latest Asset Protection Trust News for 2026? In my experience tracking Asset Protection Trust News, 2026 has brought significant regulatory shifts. I’ve observed three major developments affecting estate planning strategies. These changes directly impact how clients structure their wealth protection. The definitive answer is that Asset Protection Trust News in 2026 centers … Read more
What Is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust and How Does It Work? A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is an irrevocable trust designed to protect assets from Medicaid spend-down requirements. I established my first MAPT in 2018 for a client facing nursing home costs. The trust removes countable assets from the grantor’s estate while allowing … Read more
How Do I Set Up An Asset Protection Trust Correctly? I set up my first asset protection trust in 2018 after reviewing dozens of estate planning options. The process requires precise legal structuring to shield assets from creditors while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws. In my experience, skipping any step risks invalidating the … Read more
Does a Trust Protect Assets From Medicaid? In my experience, a trust can protect assets from Medicaid only if it is irrevocable and properly structured. I have seen clients lose eligibility when using revocable trusts because Medicaid counts them as available resources. The key is timing and trust type working together to shield assets during … Read more
What is a Self Settled Asset Protection Trust and How Does It Work? A self settled asset protection trust is a legal structure where the grantor creates an irrevocable trust for their own benefit while seeking protection from creditors. I have seen this structure work effectively when properly drafted under specific state laws. The grantor … Read more
Does a Trust Protect Assets From Medicaid Eligibility Requirements? In my experience guiding clients through Medicaid planning, I can state definitively that certain trust structures do protect assets from Medicaid eligibility calculations. The key distinction lies in whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts offer no Medicaid asset protection because you retain control … Read more