Special Needs Trusts in Houston, TX Done Right
If you have a family member with a disability, you need a trust that protects their benefits and their future.
When Houston Families Need a Special Needs Trust
Families often call us after an inheritance, settlement, or life insurance payout puts a disabled loved one's benefits at risk. Medicaid and SSI have strict asset limits. One wrong move and a family member can lose coverage they depend on for years. We've seen grandparents in Bellaire leave money directly to a grandchild, not knowing it would cut off their care. A properly funded special needs trust lets assets support your loved one without disqualifying them from public benefits[1]. Waiting only raises the risk that a windfall gets spent down fast or benefits get suspended.
Inheritance Protection
A relative left assets directly to a disabled loved one. We restructure the plan so benefits stay intact.
Settlement Funds
A personal injury or malpractice settlement needs a trust to avoid losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility.
Parents Planning Ahead
Parents of a child with a disability want a plan in place before something happens to them.
First-Party Trusts
Your loved one already owns assets that could disqualify them. We help fund the right trust structure.
Third-Party Trusts
Family members want to leave money or property without ever touching public benefits eligibility.
Trustee Selection Help
Families aren't sure who should manage the trust long term. We walk through fiduciary options.
Why Houston Families Trust Us With Special Needs Trusts
A poorly drafted special needs trust can cost your loved one their benefits fast. Troy works directly with every client instead of handing your file to a junior associate. That direct attention matters when the details decide whether Medicaid or SSI stays intact.
What You Can Expect
Protect Your Loved One's Benefits Today
Don't let an inheritance or settlement put your family member's benefits at risk. Call Troy Moore, your Estate Planning Attorney Houston families trust, and set up the right trust now.
How Setting Up a Special Needs Trust Works
We keep the process clear so you always know what's happening next.
We Talk Through Your Situation
You'll sit down with Troy and explain your loved one's needs, benefits, and any funds involved. We ask direct questions to understand the full picture. This meeting shapes every decision after it.
We Draft the Right Trust
Troy drafts a trust matched to your situation, first-party or third-party, depending on whose assets are involved. We build in Texas-specific protections. You review every page before anything is signed.
We Fund and Finalize It
We help move assets into the trust correctly so benefits stay protected. We coordinate with any settlement attorneys or family members involved. You leave with a plan that actually works.
Special Needs Trust Cost in Houston
The cost depends on whether you need a first-party trust, a third-party trust, or coordination with a pending settlement. Simple trusts with clear beneficiaries cost less than trusts involving complex assets or multiple family members. We give you an upfront quote before any work begins, no surprise bills later. Special needs trusts must follow strict federal and Texas rules. These rules keep benefits intact. We build that protection into every plan we draft. [1]
Special Needs Trust Questions
Here are answers to what Houston families ask us most.
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How much does a special needs trust cost in Houston?
Most special needs trusts run between $1,500 and $5,000 depending on complexity. Simple third-party trusts cost less than trusts tied to a settlement. We give you an exact quote after our first meeting.
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How long does it take to set one up?
Most trusts are drafted and signed within two to four weeks. Settlement-related trusts can take longer if court approval is needed. We move as fast as the situation allows.
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Can I write this trust myself online?
We don't recommend it. One wrong clause can disqualify your loved one from Medicaid or SSI. Trusts need to match federal and Texas rules exactly, and a template rarely does that.
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What's the difference between first-party and third-party trusts?
A first-party trust holds assets that already belong to your loved one, like a settlement. A third-party trust holds money family members leave behind. Each has different rules for repayment and setup.
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How fast do I need to act after a settlement or inheritance?
You should act right away. Benefits can be suspended if funds sit in your loved one's name past the reporting deadline. We move quickly to get the trust funded before that happens.
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What are signs my family needs this trust now?
Watch for a pending settlement, an inheritance, or a relative naming your loved one directly in a will. Any of these can put SSI or Medicaid at risk. Call us before money changes hands.
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Who should manage the trust once it's set up?
A trustee can be a family member, a professional fiduciary, or a trust company. We help you weigh the pros and cons based on your family's situation. The right choice depends on trust size and complexity.