Medicaid Planning Attorney
Strategic Medicaid Planning for McKinney Families
Protect Your Life Savings From Nursing Home Costs
You shouldn’t have to go broke to receive the care you need.
Many families believe they have to “spend down” everything they own before Medicaid will help with nursing home costs. At Texas Legacy Planning, Scott Christiansen uses his nearly 30 years of legal experience and engineering mindset to show you a better way.
Medicaid rules are complex, but they aren’t a mystery. Scott applies a systematic approach to help you navigate these regulations without the miserable experience of losing your family’s inheritance to medical bills. We focus on proactive, “Plain English” solutions that protect your spouse, your home, and your legacy.
The Pillars of Asset Preservation
Engineered to Safeguard Your Family’s Future
Asset Protection Trusts
We design specific irrevocable trusts that can "start the clock" on Medicaid’s five-year look-back period, moving assets out of your name while keeping them in the family.
Spousal Protections
We utilize legal frameworks to ensure a healthy spouse can remain in the family home with enough income and resources to live comfortably.
Miller Trusts (Qualified Income Trusts)
If your income is "too high" for Medicaid but "too low" to pay for a nursing home, we build the necessary trust to solve the problem and gain eligibility.
Lady Bird Deeds
A functional Texas tool that allows your home to transfer to your heirs automatically, protecting it from Medicaid Estate Recovery.
Answering Commonly Asked Medicaid Questions
Can I keep my home and still qualify for Medicaid?
When you apply for Nursing Home Medicaid in Texas, the state reviews all financial transfers you make in the last 5 years (60 months) prior to your application. If you gave away money, land, or assets for less than they were worth, the state will subject you to a “penalty period”; a time where Medicaid refuses to pay for your care.
What is the "5-Year Look-Back Period"?
Yes. In Texas, your main residence is generally considered an “exempt asset” as long as your equity is below $752,000 (2026 limit) and you (or a spouse) intend to return to it. However, while you can keep the home during your life, the state may try to claim the home after you pass away to reimburse itself for your care. This is why tools like a Lady Bird Deed are essential for McKinney homeowners.
What if my monthly income is higher than the Medicaid limit?
In 2026, if your gross monthly income exceeds $2,982, you are technically disqualified—even if that income isn’t enough to pay for a private nursing home. We solve this by creating a Qualified Income Trust (QIT), also known as a “Miller Trust.” This legal tool “reroutes” your excess income so it doesn’t count against the Medicaid limit.
Will my spouse be left with nothing if I go into a nursing home?
Not at all. Texas has “Spousal Impoverishment” rules designed to protect the spouse living at home (the “Community Spouse”). In 2026, the healthy spouse can typically keep a significant amount of assets (up to $162,660) and a portion of the couple’s combined income to pay for their own living expenses in McKinney.
How is Medicaid Planning different from just "giving my money away"?
Well, giving money away is usually the worst thing you can do, since it triggers the 5 year penalty. Medicaid Planning is the legal process of converting “countable” assets (like cash or stocks) into “exempt” assets (like home improvements, a reliable vehicle, or specific types of annuities) that the state is not allowed to count against you.
Experience You Can Rely On
Scott Christiansen treats Medicaid planning as a problem-solving exercise. Just as he did in his engineering days, he identifies the “fail points” in your current financial structure and builds a reinforced plan to protect your spouse and children. Based in McKinney, Scott combines deep Texas legal knowledge with small-town values to ensure you feel heard and supported throughout a process that can often feel overwhelming.
Secure Your Care Without Losing Your Legacy
Don’t wait until a medical crisis forces your hand. Let’s build a cost-effective, common-sense plan that safeguards your assets and provides peace of mind for your family.