Takeaway: If you wait until a health crisis to plan for long-term care, it’s often too late. A Long-Term Care Trust can protect your home, your savings, and your family’s legacy—but it must be done before it’s needed.
My dad believed he was invincible. He was strong, resilient, and always in control. If you knew him, you know what I mean. He was old-school, proud, and unwavering – the kind of man who worked his whole life, saved every penny, and made sure his family never went without.
But then the saying goes: we make plans, and God laughs.
My father suffered a massive stroke – one that changed everything. Mentally, he was still there. But physically, he lost the ability to care for himself. Suddenly, this invincible man needed full-time long-term care. And just like that, we were thrown into a crisis we hadn’t prepared for, even though I had tried.
As his daughter and an Estate Planning attorney, I had begged him to let me set up a Long-Term Care Trust. I explained there was no downside, just protection. But like many in our community, my father had an old-school mindset. “I’m fine.” “I won’t need that.” “That’s not for me.”
And then it was too late.
Because of the 5-year Medicaid lookback rule, we couldn’t protect a single asset. And my father, the man who worked for decades to build something for his children, had to watch it all disappear to pay for care that could have been covered had we done the Trust earlier.
His nursing home alone was nearly $20,000 per month.
Every month, as his Power of Attorney, I had to watch the accounts drain. I had to sign the checks. I had to do the math and figure out what could be liquidated next. It was devastating. Not just as a lawyer who knew better, but as a daughter who wanted to give her father peace and dignity.
This photo is from those final chapters of his life. I cherish those times, but they also carry pain – a reminder of the financial stress we could have avoided. The stress I want no other family to endure.
“I’ve lived both ends of Estate Planning. The good and the bad.
And I promise you: the difference is night and day.”
A Long-Term Care Trust would have protected everything. The home. The savings. The retirement funds. It would have allowed him to receive care without sacrifice. And it would’ve preserved the legacy he worked so hard to leave behind – for us, his children.
So if you’re reading this, and you think “we’re not ready yet” or “we have time” – please learn from my experience. This type of Trust only works if you plan ahead. Once a crisis hits, your hands are tied.
Learn exactly how a Long-Term Care Trust works, and how it can protect your family, by reading our detailed guide here.
(We break down what it is, who it’s for, the Medicaid lookback rules, and why time is of the essence.)
This experience has made me even more passionate about Estate Planning.
Because this isn’t just about legal documents, it’s about preserving dignity, protecting generational wealth, and sparing families from trauma that can be avoided with the right preparation.
At LADIES IN LAW®, we specialize in helping families plan ahead. But more than that, this is my mission. I don’t want another child to go through what I did.
Do you have more questions or are you still not sure if a Long-Term Care Trust is right for you? Schedule a FREE Consultation HERE to discuss your personal situation and find the best plan for your situation.
