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Texas Elder Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: Can a POA (her daughter)stop me from visiting my great grandmother,even though I visit her every weekend and I ask her

My great grandmother can not remember much,but I always ask if I can come over and spend the day with her and she says yes,from what iv researched even though her daughter is the POA,that doesn't give her power over visitation.

Rick  Davis
Rick Davis
answered on Jun 16, 2020

If it is a standard Statutory Durable Power of Attorney that your great grandmother's daughter has, that would authorize her to deny visitation. Similarly, even is she has a Medical Power of Attorney, that is designed to allow her to make medical decisions on your great grandmother's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: I fully understand!! Thank you so much!!

I just found this organization today and I appreciate your help. Does this organization set up virtual meetings? Could I make an appointment or would I have to help my boyfriends mother set it up since she is the one who would qualify for services?

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jun 16, 2020

Individual lawyers set up virtual meetings. Like our courts, many of us are now operating by Zoom. It may be your boyfriend's mother who would want to set up the meeting.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: Thank you! So she can apply for Medicaid right now to get help with prescription drug costs?

Or does she only qualify for nursing home costs due to home ownership? And.... would taking a home equity loan to pay for improvements to the house affect social security payments or potential Medicaid benefits?

Terry Lynn Garrett
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Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jun 16, 2020

One would have to know the full picture to answer these questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: Hi, does a Lady Bird Deed allow someone to qualify for medicaid who would not qualify because of home ownership?

My boyfriends mother owns a house in Austin that has drastically increased in value but is currently in great disrepair. I want to figure out how to help her fix her house up to make it more livable and safer for a person in their 70's and help her qualify for Medicaid benefits. She is... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
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Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jun 16, 2020

In Texas a home is not counted in determining eligibility for nursing home Medicaid.

The effect of a Lady Bird Deed is to transfer ownership of the home on death, free of probate and so, in Texas, free of Medicaid estate recovery. A Lady Bird Deed has no effect on ownership or property...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Texas on
Q: What can I do to stop my siblings from stealing everything off my mother's the legal way?

I have a bedridden mother that I take care of her home 24/7. My older sister got my mother to sign power of attorney to her without my mother realizing what she had signed. So my mother revoke that. They were selling her property without her permission and now trying to sell her home and put her... View More

Rick  Davis
Rick Davis
answered on Jun 11, 2020

You should contact an attorney about filing an Application for Guardianship to ask a Court to make you the guardian of your mother.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Animal / Dog Law, Elder Law and Health Care Law for Texas on
Q: under what circumstance can my 15 cats be taken from me?
Chad Zubi
Chad Zubi
answered on May 30, 2020

You need to give some more background information. Your question is too broad to give a good answer.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Small Claims and Contracts for Texas on
Q: someone ripped me off on home repairs

they claimed to know what to do. a local handyman service. found them on facebook marketplace. they didn't do the job right. i paid for materials and paid 500 for work. it was the underneath of the belly of my trailer. now the insulation is hanging down and the belly is on the ground- what... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on May 27, 2020

Take good pictures. Keep your written contract. File in Justice of the Peace (small claims) court.

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: What happens when my stepmother is POA and does not allow me to visit my elderly father at their residence?

I suspect something is wrong at my elderly father’s home. My stepmother is the POA. I went to visit him and he was covered in bruises including a black eye. She said he suffered from a stroke 4 days earlier and he told her he did not want to go to the hospital. Is that even legal? When I... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on May 27, 2020

Report the bruises to Adult Protective Services immediately (before they fade) and ask the hospice workers to do the same. A stroke does not cause bruises.

Also report that your stepmother is denying your father access to other family members. An agent under a POA, financial or medical,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Adoption, Banking and Elder Law for Texas on
Q: If a judge comes to a judgment but my attorney did not notify me about court and went in to court and the judge ruled wi

The judge did not even here or see my evidence of fraud or abduction or holding a love one hostage or the stolen car insurance money .and I lost property , my love one , my money stolen from account .what should I do or how can I get justice !! Who do I contact? Or tell ? Do I fire my lawyer and... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on May 11, 2020

The State Bar of Texas has a client dispute resolution process. You may want to avail yourself of it.

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: My sister has $100k and we private pay nursing home/care at about $10k/Mo. What does she do when zero money is left?

I am her brother. She is in Waco and I am in Dallas. She is 54 and is disabled as of 11/18.

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on May 7, 2020

If she has a medical necessity for skilled nursing care (which she does) and no more than $2,000 (which you anticipate), and an income below the income limit either on its own or by flowing it through a Qualified Income Trust (also called a Miller Trust), she will qualify for Medicaid. She can... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Texas on
Q: If a temporary guardian settled and collected monies outside of court. Does that money go to the new guardian?

After I became a guardian. I found out the temporary guardian settled outside of court with the boarding home that was neglecting my father. I was never inform and this info was hidden from me. I found all this out on my own. My father is now deceased. Shouldn't that money have gone to the... View More

Isaac Shutt
Isaac Shutt
answered on Mar 13, 2020

You should definitely have a probate/guardianship lawyer file on your behalf. The temporary guardian should have turned the money over and should have accounted for how every dime was used.

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Elder Law, Family Law and Divorce for Texas on
Q: If my grandmother is in an abusive relationship with My Grandfather and she refuses to leave him what if I left him

Is it illegal if I leave my Grandfather somewhere stranded so my Grandma wouldn't have to be abused by him anymore

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Feb 26, 2020

This sounds like a very bad idea, possibly abusing an elderly person.

Rather than take the law into your own hands, you might report your grandfather to Adult Protective Services and consult with an elder law attorney about how to protect your grandmother. You can locate one near you using...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections and Elder Law for Texas on
Q: No one responded to my question so I'll ask it again. Am I responsible for my late mother's debts?

Mom had been in and out of hospitals, nursing homes before she passed. However, she did owe because insurance, medicare didn't pay. In fact the last nursing kicked her out because insurance ran out.

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Feb 20, 2020

No. Your mother's estate is responsible. You are not. However, you can not inherit anything until the debts have been paid.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: What are my rights to protect a 55 year old mentally and physically disabled brother?

My 55yr old special needs brother has lived in a nursing home for four years. Prior to that, he has lived in group homes, assisted living facilities, apartments, and two other nursing homes. All were short stays as each ultimately ended with him being asked to leave. He is doing well where he is... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Feb 4, 2020

There are only six legal reasons for discharge from a nursing home which accepts Medicare or Medicaid. The one this facility seems to be relying on is an allegation that he no longer needs nursing home care. Gather his medical records to show that this is not true. Also show why a discharge to a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: My elderly mother has dementia, her house has deteriorated, I was wondering what the mortgage lender could do legally?
Isaac Shutt
Isaac Shutt
answered on Jan 29, 2020

As long as the mortgage payments are current, there should not be a problem. The biggest thing for them is simply that they get their money. If your mother can't afford to make the payments, then you'll either need to help her refinance the mortgage or sell the property.

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: Can anyone give me information on what to do about elder mother not able to live alone. I live in Tx

I live in Tx. with my mother who is 84 and I know she has some form of dementia but hasn't been diagnosed by a specialist. I can't get her to go to the neurologist even though her regular dr wanted her to be evaluated. She needs help either needs to be placed in a home or... View More

Isaac Shutt
Isaac Shutt
answered on Jan 28, 2020

First of all, I'm sorry you're in this position. My heart always goes out to people assisting a parent with memory or other cognitive problems. It is very tough.

I recommend calling Adult Protective Services ("APS") and the Department of Aging and Disability Services...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Elder Law for Texas on
Q: I am POA for senior parents. What is the liability for them & me if they get in an auto accident?

Both of my parents (aged 85 and 87) currently have active Texas licenses and auto insurance. Their physician tested and diagnosed them both with mild dementia Nov 5, 2019. They are both still able to dress, bathe, shop, etc. for themselves, just getting a little confused, weaker, repeating... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jan 27, 2020

You are liable for negligence. Whether a jury will rule that you were negligent in continuing payments for car insurance and gas and not taking away the keys or disabling the car cannot be accurately predicted.

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Texas on
Q: I am 80 years old, what are the pros and cons of selling my home, putting the cash in the bank, and renting a home?
Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jan 21, 2020

Given your age, this largely turns on (1) whether you are one of the over 70% of Texans who must apply for Medicaid to pay for long term care and (2) whether you are willing to enter a Medicaid nursing home in order to preserve the home for your spouse, child or whomever else you want to leave it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and International Law for Texas on
Q: What practice area would apply to an international high dollar love scam regarding an USA elder man and foreign lady
Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jan 21, 2020

This is elder exploitation, handled by some elder lawyers and investigated by the FBI.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Texas on
Q: What can be done when the state seeks guardianship of my dad?

Dad was a good and slow driving. He has some memory issues which exacerbated when mom passed suddenly. He got lost one foggy night and stopped in a strange part of town. He didn't have his phone. The police took him to a hospital, the state got involved without contacting me. I have medical... View More

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Jan 19, 2020

You can hire an Approved Guardianship Attorney and apply to become his guardian yourself. Usually no guardian is needed if there is a valid Medical Power of Attorney and a valid Durable Power of Attorney. But from your description, someone may need to take away the keys, regularly check on your... View More

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