Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts in Ohio

For families worried about nursing home costs, the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is often the single most powerful planning tool available. Done right and done early, it lets you protect your home and savings for your children while still qualifying for Medicaid if you ever need long-term care.

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How a MAPT Works

A MAPT is an irrevocable trust. You transfer assets into it, typically your home and a portion of your savings, and name your children or other loved ones as beneficiaries. You can continue living in your home and, depending on design, receive income the trust earns. Once the assets have been in the trust for five years (Medicaid’s look-back period), they no longer count against you for eligibility, and they’re protected from Ohio’s estate recovery program after your death.

Why Not Just Give Everything to the Kids?

Outright gifting is the strategy families try first, and it’s usually a mistake. Assets given to a child are exposed to that child’s divorce, lawsuits, and creditors; you lose all control; and gifted assets lose the step-up in tax basis that trust assets can preserve. A MAPT protects against the nursing home without handing your life savings to fate.

A Common and Costly Misconception

A revocable living trust does not protect assets from nursing home costs. Because you keep control of a revocable trust, Medicaid counts everything in it. Protection requires an irrevocable trust, drafted specifically with Medicaid’s rules in mind. If someone has told you your revocable trust has you covered, let’s take a second look together.

Is a MAPT Right for You?

The best candidates are healthy adults, often in their 60s and 70s, who want to protect a home and savings and can realistically plan five years ahead. If care is needed sooner, other crisis strategies exist, and we’ll tell you honestly which path fits.

Ready to protect your family's future?

Ruth B

The family wealth interview audio recording is an excellent idea, and Tom’s handling of the interview was very well done. Besides being grateful to Tom for his knowledge and friendly manner, I feel I made a friend through this experience.

Joseph W

No other firm in the area goes through the amount of detail and follow through as Culpepper Law does. Tom truly cares about what he is doing, we felt like we were his only client throughout the process.

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Tom L. Culpepper

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Jesse Kufeldt

Associate Attorney

Patty Niswonger

Ohio Bar Certified Paralegal

Shelby Arnold

Paralegal

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still live in my house after putting it in a MAPT?

Yes. The trust is designed to preserve your right to live in and use your home for the rest of your life.

Can I change my mind?

"Irrevocable" does not mean inflexible. Well-drafted MAPTs commonly let you change which beneficiaries receive the assets, and Ohio law provides mechanisms for modifying trusts when circumstances truly change.

What do I give up?

Direct access to the principal you place in the trust. That trade is exactly what makes the assets uncountable for Medicaid, and we plan carefully so you keep enough outside the trust to live comfortably.

Protect Your Home and Savings From the Cost of Care

Five years from now, you’ll wish you had started today. Call +1 (937) 589-4144.