At Bromlow Law, PLLC, we help Texas families going through the legal steps that come with aging, everything from making sure your wishes are honored if you can’t speak for yourself, to protecting savings from high care costs, and securing benefits you’ve earned as a veteran.
Texas is aging fast: by 2030, Texans age 50 and older will top 11 million, and those 65 and up are set to more than double by 2050, stretching family budgets and raising tough questions about care and money management.
Elder law covers this full spectrum, extending beyond wills and trusts, to help older adults and their families make confident choices under Texas rules.
What Is Elder Law?
Elder law addresses legal, financial, and health‑care issues that come with aging or disability, not just drawing up estate‑planning papers. It helps you plan for incapacity, manage long‑term care costs, set up guardianships if needed, claim veterans’ benefits, and stop financial abuse before it starts.
Whether you’re planning ahead, caring for a parent, or exploring benefits for a veteran in your family, we break it down in plain language and walk beside you.
Elder Law Practice Areas in Texas
After you see why elder law reaches beyond simple wills, it helps to know exactly how we break down those services. We group our work into clear areas so you know what to expect and how each piece protects you.
Estate Planning
Perhaps the most recognized element of elder Law is estate Planning, which includes vital instruments like wills, living trusts, and special needs trusts.
Wills
A will is your voice after you’re gone. It names who gets your home, bank accounts, heirlooms, and other belongings. You can also pick guardians for minor children and spell out final wishes, so there’s no guesswork for family or the court.
Revocable Living Trusts
With a revocable living trust, you move assets, like your house or investments, into a trust you control. That means when you pass away, those assets transfer to beneficiaries without the time and cost of probate court. You can update or cancel the trust at any time, keeping full flexibility as your life or wishes change.
Special Needs Trusts
Sometimes called Supplemental Needs Trusts, these trusts allow people with disabilities to get extra financial support without losing Medicaid or SSI. They supplement government benefits by covering specialized medical care, education, and recreation.
Texas offers three types:
- First‑party trusts funded by the beneficiary
- Third‑party trusts funded by others
- Pooled trusts managed by nonprofits
Because these trusts must meet strict state and federal rules, an experienced elder law attorney is essential to set up and manage them properly, protect benefits, and improve quality of life.
Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives
You are probably familiar with powers of attorney. Although they can serve many purposes, in elder law, we focus on a few main types for our clients.
- Statutory Durable Power of Attorney lets someone handle your money if you can’t. Here is a real-life example: Jane suffers a stroke and is hospitalized. Jane’s agent, her sister Maria, uses the power of attorney to pay Jane’s mortgage, manage her bank accounts, and make investment decisions while Jane is incapacitated.
- A Medical Power of Attorney appoints someone to speak for you on health choices. Real-life example: Roger is undergoing major surgery and is placed on a ventilator. His designated health‑care agent, his daughter Priya, reviews the surgical team’s recommendations and authorizes additional treatments when complications arise.
- An advanced directive spells out life‑support and end‑of‑life care preferences. As an example, Mary has advanced Alzheimer’s and can no longer communicate. Her advanced directive states she does not want feeding tubes or CPR if she stops breathing; the medical team follows those instructions.
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid covers the biggest share of long‑term care in Texas, but you must meet income and asset limits (e.g., $2,000 in countable resources for individuals)
Guardianship
A court relationship appoints a guardian to manage affairs for an incapacitated adult (the ward). Process steps include petitioning the court, medical reports, hearings, and oversight.
Alternatives & Duties
Guardianship and power of attorney are both ways to help someone make decisions, but they work differently. A power of attorney is a less‑restrictive tool that lets the person you choose (the agent) help you while you still keep most of your control. You can decide exactly what they can do and can change your mind later.
Guardianship is more restrictive. A judge picks a guardian who must always act in the other person’s best interest.
Guardians have to file yearly reports to show they’re taking good care of the person (the ward). So, with a power of attorney, you stay more in charge, but with guardianship, someone else has more control to protect you.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses who need daily living help may receive extra monthly pension funds, up to $2,795 /month for a married veteran, starting in 2025.
State‑Run Options
Texas Veterans Land Board nursing homes provide reduced‑rate long‑term care and education benefits through the Hazlewood Act. We can help you or your veteran family member apply. The closest facility to our office is the Richard A. Anderson Texas State Veterans Home, which serves veterans with a service‑connected disability rating of 70% or higher.
Why Choose Bromlow Law, PLLC for Elder Law in Texas?
Our deep credentials and hands-on experience are the heart of what makes our law firm uniquely equipped to serve Texas families facing elder law challenges.
Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)
Laura L. Bromlow holds the CELA credential from the National Elder Law Foundation, which is earned by passing a rigorous exam and meeting strict practice requirements.
Experience & Local Focus
Practicing Texas law since 1997 and elder law since 2012, we know the Houston area care systems, courts, and benefits inside out.
Family‑Centric, Heart‑Led Service
We treat you like family: listening first, spotting hidden needs, and connecting you with care managers or financial pros when helpful.
Values That Matter For Us
- Servant’s Heart: We aim for your peace of mind.
- Growth Mindset: We learn from every case.
- Integrity & Excellence: We do the hard right thing and sweat the small stuff.
- Communication: We keep you in the loop every step.
Who Can Benefit?
- Adults planning for retirement or disability: We help you save money and get the care you need when you’re older or unable to work.
- Family caregivers worried about costs and control: We make plans so you can pay for care and make important choices for your loved one.
- Veterans seeking Aid and Attendance: We show veterans how to get extra money from the VA to help pay for long‑term care.
- Anyone wanting clear, caring backup for medical or financial decisions: We create simple plans so you and your family know what to do in tough times.
Our Process
- Free 15‑Minute Chat with our Client Services Coordinator
- Deep‑Dive Meeting to set goals and map options
- Document Drafting & Review at our Katy office
- Funding/Asset Coordination, where we help make sure all your assets are set up to properly follow your estate plan as we have written it with you.
- Family meeting with all relevant parties
- Ongoing check-ins based on your preferences and life changes.
FAQs
When should I start elder law planning?
Sooner is better—early steps give you more choices.
How does elder law differ from estate planning?
Estate planning is one piece; elder law also covers care costs, guardianship, benefits, and abuse protection.
Can Medicaid really cover nursing‑home bills?
Yes, if you meet income/assets tests and planning rules.
Ready to Discuss Your Elder Law Needs?
Let’s talk. Call us at (281) 665‑3807 or fill out our contact form for your free 15‑minute consultation.
Our Katy office is at 24285 Katy Freeway, Suite 300. We’re here for Houston families today and tomorrow.