Doug Gaston, Attorney at Law

Doug Gaston, Attorney at Law Our team mission is clear: to provide exceptional and personal legal services. https://teamgaston.com/

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, sometimes called a MAPT, is a type of irrevocable trust specifically designed to prot...
09/02/2026

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, sometimes called a MAPT, is a type of irrevocable trust specifically designed to protect your assets from being counted against you when applying for Medicaid long-term care.

Assets transferred into a MAPT more than five years before a Medicaid application are generally shielded. The key phrase is "more than five years," which is why this conversation has to happen early.

Call Gaston Law @ 417-221-4447 before the clock starts running.

Now that the it's starting to cool down, and the kids are back in school, life gets back into a comforting rhythm. It's ...
09/02/2026

Now that the it's starting to cool down, and the kids are back in school, life gets back into a comforting rhythm.

It's historically one of the best months to tackle the things you've been putting off, including your estate plan.

If you've been meaning to call us (417-221-4447), this is your season. Free initial consultation.

Q: If I set up a revocable living trust, do I have to give up control of my assets?A: Not at all. With a revocable livin...
08/31/2026

Q: If I set up a revocable living trust, do I have to give up control of my assets?

A: Not at all. With a revocable living trust, you serve as your own trustee while you're alive and mentally competent. You manage your assets exactly as you do today. You name a successor trustee to step in only if you become incapacitated or pass away.

A trust isn't giving up control. It's keeping it AND extending it beyond your own lifetime.

Call us at 417-221-4447 to find out how we can help.

Your 401(k) or IRA doesn't automatically go to your family when you pass away. It goes to whoever is listed as the benef...
08/30/2026

Your 401(k) or IRA doesn't automatically go to your family when you pass away. It goes to whoever is listed as the beneficiary. If that form is outdated or blank, the results can be costly and messy.

When did you last update yours?

We help clients review beneficiary designations as part of every estate plan.

Call us at 417-221-4447 to find out how we can help.

Veterans may have access to benefits through the VA that factor directly into long-term care planning, including Aid & A...
08/29/2026

Veterans may have access to benefits through the VA that factor directly into long-term care planning, including Aid & Attendance, which can help pay for in-home care or assisted living.

But qualifying takes planning, and the rules interact with Medicaid eligibility in ways that catch people off guard.

If you or a family member is a veteran, estate and elder law planning should account for these benefits. Call us at 417-221-4447. We understand how the pieces fit together.

Q: Can't I just use an online legal service to create my will?A: You can, but you get what you pay for. Online templates...
08/28/2026

Q: Can't I just use an online legal service to create my will?

A: You can, but you get what you pay for. Online templates don't know Missouri law. They don't ask about your specific family dynamics, your property, or your Medicaid exposure. And they can't tell you if a provision you included could cause problems down the road. We've seen families spend thousands fixing a document that cost $29 to create. A real attorney costs more upfront but costs a lot less in the long run.

And even more importantly there may be other legal documents that you need just as much as a will. We help you create a comprehensive solution that keeps you out of probate, helps you during medical emergencies and protects your assets.

In the Missouri Ozarks, farming isn't just an occupation, it's a way of life that's been handed down through generations...
08/27/2026

In the Missouri Ozarks, farming isn't just an occupation, it's a way of life that's been handed down through generations.

But without a proper plan, that land is vulnerable. Probate, estate taxes, Medicaid recovery, family disputes can all disrupt a farm transition that should have been simple.

We've helped Ozarks farm families protect their land and keep it in the family. If that's something you're thinking about, let's talk.

Call us at 417-221-4447 to find out how we can help.

A lot of people think having a will means they've done their estate planning. But a will alone still goes through probat...
08/26/2026

A lot of people think having a will means they've done their estate planning.

But a will alone still goes through probate — which is public, slow, and costly. It doesn't control assets with beneficiary designations, like retirement accounts or life insurance.

And it doesn't address what happens if you're incapacitated while still alive.

A complete plan includes a will or trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, and a beneficiary review. Call us at 417-221-4447 and let's make sure you have all four.

"Doug and his team helped with an irrevocable trust for my family. We’re extremely pleased. It’s given us confidence in ...
08/25/2026

"Doug and his team helped with an irrevocable trust for my family. We’re extremely pleased. It’s given us confidence in the future." — Miles James

A plan doesn't just protect assets. It creates peace & confidence.

Call us at 417-221-4447 to find out how we can help.

Most families use a revocable living trust which is flexible, changeable, and in your control while you're alive. An irr...
08/24/2026

Most families use a revocable living trust which is flexible, changeable, and in your control while you're alive.

An irrevocable trust is different. Once created, it generally can't be changed.

So why would anyone choose it?

Because assets placed in an irrevocable trust are typically protected from Medicaid spend-down and creditor claims. It's one of the most powerful Medicaid planning tools available, but timing matters.

😳 It has to be done years in advance.

Call us at 417-221-4447 to learn if it's right for you.

Address

1215 S Sam Houston Boulevard
Houston, MO
65483

Telephone

+14172214447

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