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

If you're a parent in Oregon, naming a guardian for your minor children is one of the most important estate planning decisions you can make. In this episode of Passing the Baton, attorney Jared Hight explains how Oregon law handles guardianship, what can go wrong if no one is named, and how you can protect your children with a clear plan. He also covers temporary guardianship options and how to manage a child’s inheritance through a trust.

Don’t leave it to a judge to decide who raises your kids. Tune in to learn how a thoughtful guardianship nomination—and possibly a trust—can protect your child’s future.

To schedule your free consultation or read the full companion blog post, visit https://www.tracktownlaw.com.

Incapacity can happen suddenly—and when it does, someone needs legal authority to manage your finances. In Oregon, that means having a durable power of attorney. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how powers of attorney work, when they take effect, how to choose your agent, and why a poorly drafted POA can leave your family stuck in court.

Track Town Law includes a custom Oregon power of attorney in every flat-fee estate plan. Because access and clarity shouldn’t be optional.

Schedule your free consultation today at tracktownlaw.com

In Oregon, your Advance Directive names a decision-maker—but it doesn't authorize them to access your medical records. That’s where the HIPAA Authorization comes in. This episode of Passing the Baton breaks down what a HIPAA release actually does, why it's essential for any estate plan, and how it protects your loved ones from being locked out during a crisis.

Track Town Law includes a HIPAA Authorization in every flat-fee estate plan—because access matters when it counts.

Schedule a free consultation at tracktownlaw.com

Who will make medical decisions for you if you can’t? In Oregon, the Advance Directive lets you choose—and spells out your wishes for life-sustaining treatment. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains why this legal document matters for every adult, how it differs from a POLST, and why Track Town Law includes it in every flat-fee estate plan at no additional cost.

Whether you're 28 or 88, an Advance Directive protects your voice when it matters most.

🎧 Prefer to read instead? Visit tracktownlaw.com for the full blog post and to schedule your free consultation.

Married couples in Oregon risk losing one estate tax exemption without the right plan. In this episode, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how Credit Shelter Trusts (also called bypass trusts) can preserve both spouses’ $1 million exemptions, reduce or eliminate Oregon estate tax, and still provide for the surviving spouse. Learn how this key strategy protects your legacy—especially if your combined estate is near or above the Oregon threshold.

Learn more or schedule your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Did you know your life insurance policy could push your estate over Oregon’s $1 million tax threshold? In this episode, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) can help remove life insurance from your taxable estate, preserve your Oregon estate tax exemption, and structure gifts using Crummey powers. Learn how this overlooked tool can protect your legacy—and keep the state from taking a cut.

Learn more or schedule your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Learn why the HEMS standard—Health, Education, Maintenance, and Support—is crucial in Oregon estate planning. Attorney Jared Hight explains how this common trust provision impacts credit shelter trusts, protects your Oregon estate tax exemption, and governs trustee distributions. If your estate plan includes a trust or you're considering one, understanding HEMS is essential to preserving assets and maintaining control.

Explore more estate planning insights or schedule your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.