Elder Law Attorney Near Dallas

One Coordinated Plan for Aging, Care, & Incapacity

Aging can raise interconnected questions about care, finances, decision-making, and the future of your estate. At Crain & Wooley, we help Dallas families address these concerns through a coordinated plan. Medicaid planning, long-term care, guardianship, powers of attorney, wills, trusts, probate, and asset protection shouldn’t be treated as separate issues.

We begin with your family, finances, care needs, and goals. Then we explain your options in plain language and tailor the planning documents and legal strategies to your circumstances. Consultations are available virtually or in person at our Plano or Mansfield offices.

How Texas Medicaid & Long-Term Care Planning Work

Medicaid eligibility can depend on the applicant’s income, countable assets, marital status, prior transfers, and requested care program. In 2026, Texas uses a special income limit of $2,982 per month for an individual applying for nursing facility Medicaid or certain home and community-based waiver services.

Qualified Income Trusts

Texas is an income-cap state. If an applicant’s income exceeds the applicable limit, a Qualified Income Trust, commonly called a Miller Trust, may allow that income to be handled in a way that meets Medicaid eligibility rules. This arrangement isn’t a medical spend-down. The trust must also be created and administered according to program requirements.

The Five-Year Look-Back Period

Applications for nursing home Medicaid and Medicaid waiver programs generally include a review of asset transfers made during the previous 60 months. Transfers for less than fair market value can affect eligibility based on when they occurred and whether an exception applies. This five-year look-back period doesn’t apply to Regular Medicaid in the same way.

Protection for a Community Spouse

The Community Spouse Resource Allowance protects a portion of a married couple’s countable assets for the spouse who isn’t applying for institutional care. Federal and state rules set minimum and maximum allowances, which change annually. We evaluate the couple’s finances as a whole, not just the applicant’s income and assets.

Guardianship & Supported Decision-Making in Texas

Guardianship is a court process for determining whether an adult lacks the capacity to manage personal care, finances, or both. If the court finds guardianship necessary, it may appoint a guardian and define the decisions that person has authority to make.

Texas recognizes less restrictive options, including a supported decision-making agreement under Chapter 1357 of the Texas Estates Code. This agreement allows an adult with a disability to choose someone to assist with gathering information, understanding options, and communicating decisions. The supporter can’t decide on the individual’s behalf. Decision-making authority remains with the adult.

Depending on the circumstances, powers of attorney and other incapacity planning documents may help a family prepare before court involvement becomes necessary. Addressing these documents early can also clarify who may act and what authority that person may have.

Why Dallas Families Choose Our Elder Law Guidance

We apply the same plain-language planning process to aging-related legal concerns that we use for wills and trusts. This coordinated approach considers how long-term care costs, Medicaid rules, incapacity documents, beneficiary choices, asset protection, and future probate may affect one another.

Our service model includes:

• Upfront pricing: We offer proactive planning services at clear, flat rates with no hidden fees. We also explain in advance when reactive or litigation matters require hourly billing.
• Optional ongoing updates: Clients may choose a lifetime update option that provides automatic reviews and updates to their documents over time.
• Responsive communication: A money-back guarantee, subject to specified conditions, backs our commitment to respond to clients about important matters.
• Flexible consultations: Dallas-area clients may meet with us in Plano or Mansfield or complete a virtual consultation.

Our professional affiliations include the Texas Bar College, ElderCounsel, and NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys). Through these organizations, we remain engaged with legal developments affecting estate planning, elder law, Medicaid, and long-term care.

Build a Plan Around Your Care, Family, & Finances

A coordinated plan can address immediate questions while preparing for future changes in health, care needs, and family circumstances. We serve clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area with clear guidance, flat-rate options for proactive planning, and convenient in-person or virtual access.

Schedule a consultation to discuss Medicaid eligibility, nursing home costs, guardianship, incapacity planning, or related estate planning needs. We can identify the legal questions involved, explain the available paths, and help you determine which steps fit your goals.