Medicaid planning isn’t about loopholes — it’s about survival. In Oregon, the average cost of long-term care can hit $10,000 a month, and without a plan, families can burn through everything they’ve worked for in a matter of years. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how Medicaid eligibility actually works in Oregon, why it requires clearing both medical and financial gates, and how advance planning tools like the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) and the Income Cap Trust (Miller Trust) fit into the process.

You’ll learn what it means to meet Oregon’s “nursing facility level of care” standard, how exempt and non-exempt assets are treated, and why the five-year lookback period makes timing everything when it comes to MAPTs. We’ll also walk through Oregon’s income cap for 2025 — $2,901 per month — and why every dollar of an applicant’s income must flow through a Miller Trust once care is needed. Along the way, Jared clears up common myths, like whether a wealthy spouse’s income can be ignored, and lays out the usual order of operations when advance planning is in place.

Whether you’re planning ahead for your own future or helping aging parents, this episode gives you a clear, Oregon-specific roadmap for protecting assets, qualifying for Medicaid, and ensuring long-term care without losing everything in the process.

For more details, read the companion blog post and schedule a free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Worried about what would happen to your pets if something happened to you? In this episode of Passing the Baton, Oregon estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how pet trusts work under Oregon law, when you might need one, and how to make sure your animals are protected. From dogs and cats to parrots and horses, learn how to legally name a caregiver, fund your pet’s ongoing care, and avoid leaving it all to chance. Whether you're drafting a will or building a full trust-based plan, this episode will help you understand when a pet trust is worth it—and how to set one up properly.

Visit tracktownlaw.com to schedule a free consultation or read the companion blog post for this episode.

The 2025 Oregon legislative session just ended—and while eight separate estate tax reform bills were introduced, not one of them passed. In this special bonus episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight breaks down what stayed the same (the $1 million exemption) and what changed (House Bill 3630, expanding the natural resource property exemption). Learn how the new rules affect Oregon families with farms, timberland, and fishing interests—especially those using LLCs or trusts.

This episode is essential listening for Oregon families wondering about estate tax thresholds, farm succession, and passing down land without triggering a tax bill.

Passing the Baton is the Oregon estate planning podcast from Track Town Law, a virtual law firm offering flat-fee wills, trusts, and legacy planning across the state.

Book your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com