Wright Abshire Attorneys

Year Joined Firm
1982
Areas of Practice
Estate planning with an emphasis on planning for special needs
Medicaid Planning
Probate and Estate Administration
Certified Legal Specialties
Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), National Elder Law Foundation
Accredited Claims Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1981
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
J.D. – 1981
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
B.S.- Business – 1977
Published Works
Guardianship Alternatives, The State Bar of Texas, Co-Author, 2016-2017
Dramatic Changes to Medicaid Funding of Long-Term Care, The Houston Lawyer, Co-Author, Houston Bar Association, Vol. 43, No. 6, May/June, 2006
Save My Home! Saving Your Home, Farm or Ranch from Medicaid Estate Recovery in Texas, Co-Author, Elder Law Trio Press, 2005
West’s Texas Elder Law, Vol. 51, Texas Practice Series, Co-Author
Planning Effectively to Cope with Medicaid Estate Recovery, Estate Planning Magazine, Co-Author, Vol. 32, No.8, August 2005
Miller Trust May Help You, Loved One, Qualify for Medicaid Benefits, Co-Author, Houston Chronicle, 50+ Section, March 2001
Special Trust Protects From Medicaid Rules, Co-Author, Houston Chronicle, 50+ Section, February 2000
Houston Chronicle Columnist, Elder Law Notes, Monthly, Senior Living Section
Classes/Seminars
The Temple Grandin Conference, “Planning with SNTs,” Houston, February 2017
American Case Management Association, 12th Annual Case Management Conference, “Elder Law Overview,” Speaker, Houston, October 2015
University of Texas, 17th Annual Estate Planning, Guardianship and Elder Law Conference, “Elder Law Overview,” Speaker, Galveston, August 2015
University of Texas, 11th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts, “Special Needs Trusts Overview,” Austin, February 2015
University of Texas, 10th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts, “POMS Update,” Speaker, Round Rock, February 2014
University of Texas, 15th Annual Estate Planning, Guardianship and Elder Law Conference, “The Unexpected Complexities of Tragedy (Fundraising, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid and Tax Deductions),” Speaker, Galveston, August 2013
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate CLE Course, “The Unexpected Complexities of Tragedy (Fundraising, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid, and Tax Deductions),” Speaker, Houston, June 2013
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Elder Law CLE Course, “Elder Law Overview,” and “The Unexpected Complexities of Tragedy, Fundraising, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid, and Tax Deductions,” Speaker, Houston, April 2013
Austin County Bar Association, “Elder Law Overview, Medicaid and MERP,” Speaker, Bellville, March 2013
University of Texas, Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts, “The ‘Dirty Dozen,’ Part II Blatant Drafting Mistakes, Nos. 13-24,” Speaker, Austin, February 2013
Houston Bar Association, “The ‘Dirty Dozen’ Blatant Mistakes in SNTs,” Speaker, Houston, October 2012
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Estate Planning Conference, “Elder Law Overview,” Speaker, San Antonio, August 2012
University of Texas, Estate Planning, Guardianship and Elder Law Conference, “The Bear-Traps of Medicaid Planning-10 Ways to Win (or Lose) Your Case,” Presiding Officer, Galveston, August 2012
Elder Law Lecture Serier, “Life Care Planning and Costs of Long-Term Care,” Houston, June 2012
Advanced Elder Law Conference, “The Bear-Traps of Planning- Ten Ways to Win (or Lose) Your Case,” Speaker, Dallas, April 2012
University of Texas, Changes & Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts, “‘The Dirty Dozen’ Blatant Mistakes in Special Needs Trusts,” Speaker, 2012
Midland Odessa Business and Estate Council Meeting, “Elder Law Overview, Public Benefits Planning, Medicaid and VA,” Speaker, Midland 2012
San Antonio Estate Planners Council, “Elder Law Overview & Medicaid Administration,” Speaker, 2011
University of Texas, Estate Planning, Guardianship & Elder Law Conference, “Public Benefit Planning for the Blended Family,” Speaker, Galveston 2011
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Elder Law, “Sole Benefit Trusts,” Speaker, Houston 2011
University of Texas, “Special Needs Trusts Changes & Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts,” Panel Moderator, 2011
University of Texas Estate Planning, Guardianship & Elder Law Conference, “Tricare for Life & Extended Care Benefits,” Panel Moderator, 2010
University of Texas, Special Needs Trusts Changes & Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts, “Life Care Plans & Approaches to Life Care Planning,” Speaker, 2010
HBA, Guardianship Institute, “Introduction to VA Benefits,” Speaker, 2010
University of Texas, Estate Planning, Elder Law & Guardianship Conference, “Elder Law Overview,” and “Agency Perspective on Public Benefits,” Speaker, 2009
University of Texas, Special Needs Trusts Conference, “Changes & Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts,” Speaker, 2009
University of Texas Estate Planning, Guardianship & Elder Law Conference, “Agency Perspective on Public Benefits,” Panel Moderator, 2008
Victoria Regional Area Estate Planning Council, “Guardianships & Planning for Disability,” Speaker, 2008
University of Texas, Special Needs Trusts Conference, “Amending the Special Needs Trust,” Speaker, 2007
Texas Chapter of NAELA, Fall Conference, Panel Moderator, 2007
North American Brain Injury Society Conference on Brain Injury, “Application of Special Needs Trusts & Long Term Planning,” Speaker, 2007
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Family Law Course, “Looking Ahead: Long-Term Financial Planning in Connection with Divorce,” Speaker, 2007
University of Texas, Estate Planning, Elder Law & Guardianship Conference, “Agency Perspective on Public Benefits,” Panel Moderator, 2007
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning Conference, “Medicaid Changes & Strategies,” Speaker, 2007
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Elder Law & Advanced Guardianship Courses, “A Survey of Non-Institutionalized Medicaid Programs for Persons Who are Elderly/Disabled,” Speaker, 2007
University of Texas, Special Needs Trusts Conference, “Sole-Benefit Trusts,” Speaker, 2007
Texas Chapter of NAELA, Annual Conference, “Q&A with Three Recent Past Presidents,” Speaker, 2006
South Texas College of Law, Wills & Probate Institute, “Significant Changes to Medicaid,” Speaker, 2006
University of Texas Elder Law Conference, “Save My Home! Saving the Home, Farm or Ranch from Medicaid Estate Recovery in Texas,” Speaker, 2006
State Bar College, Summer School, “Medicaid Update: Estate Recovery, Gifting & The Deficit Reduction Act,” Speaker, 2006
University of Houston, Wills & Probate Institute, “The Government Wants It Paid Back! Estate Recovery, Monthly Gifting & The Deficit Reduction Act,” Speaker, 2006
State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning Conference, “Medicaid Changes & Strategies,” Speaker, 2006
State Bar of Texas, Summer School, “Saving the Family Homestead: The Final Rules for the Texas Medicaid Recovery Act,” Speaker, 2005
University of Houston, Wills & Probate Institute, “Medicaid, Medicare & Estate Recovery,” Speaker, 2005
State Bar of Texas, Representing Older Adults Living with Disabilities: The Nuts & Bolts of Aging Issues, “Medicaid Estate Recovery,” Speaker, 2005
State Bar of Texas, Annual Meeting, “Medicaid Estate Recovery,” Speaker, 2005
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Seminar, “Medicaid Estate Recovery Update,” Speaker, 2005
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Elder Law & Advanced Guardianship Courses, “Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) Final Rules, Including the Expanded Estate, Gifting, and Unmarried Adult Children,” Speaker, 2005
NAELA, Institute, “Putting on the Ritz: Does it Really Work” Speaker, 2004
South Texas College of Law, Wills & Probate Institute, “Medicaid Estate Recovery,” Speaker, 2004
State Bar of Texas, State Bar College Summer School, “Medicaid Estate Recovery: When the Government Wants Your Homestead,” Speaker,2004
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Seminar, “Medicaid Estate Recovery,” Speaker, 2004
University of Houston, Wills & Probate Institute, “Medicaid, Medicare and Estate Recovery: Can You Get the Benefits Without Losing Everything” Speaker, 2004
PBS Channel 8, Richard Alderman’s, “Know Your Rights,” 2004
CBS Radio B Interview Regarding Estate Recovery in Texas, 2004
HBA, Elder Law Institute, “Estate Recovery: Planning Considerations,” Speaker, 2004
State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Institute, “Estate Recovery: Foundation & Strategy,” Speaker, 2003
NAELA, Institute, “Delivering Ritz-Carlton Legendary Service Practices in an Elder Law Firm,” Speaker, 2003
Texas Wesleyan Law School & Stetson Law School, Special Needs Trusts Seminar, “Top Ten Tips for SNTs,” Speaker, 2003
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Annual CPE Expo, “Medicaid & Disability Issues,” Speaker, 2002
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Advanced Estate Planning Conference, “To Spend Down or Not to Spend Down on the Nursing Home,” Speaker, 2002
South Texas College of Law, Representing the Elderly Client: Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts & Guardianships, “Fifteen Misrepresentations Made by Nursing Homes,” Speaker, 2002
Children’s Case Management Coalition Conference, “Planning Special Needs Trusts for the Disabled,” Speaker, 2002; Description: State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Course, “Basic Medicaid & Long-Term Care Planning,” Speaker, 2001
State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Course, “Basic Medicaid & Long-Term Care Planning,” Speaker, 2001
HBA, Wills & Probate Institute, “Practical Considerations in Medicaid Planning: Twelve Things to Avoid,” Speaker, 2001
Richard Alderman, The People’s Law School, University of Houston, “Wills, Living Wills & Powers of Attorney,” Speaker, 2001
Texas NAELA Conference, “UPL & Effect on Elder Law Attorneys and Clients, and What is Being Done” Speaker, 2001
South Texas College of Law, Wills & Probate Institute with Guardianship Certification Course, “Medicaid Rules & Planning,” Speaker ,2001
Case Management Society of America Conference, “Medicaid Planning: What Is It ” Who Needs It” and the Most Frequently Asked Questions About It,” Speaker, 2001
HBA, Health Law Section, “Medicaid Qualification for Nursing Home Care,” Speaker, 2001
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Institute, “Report on Medicare After the HMO Retreat, What=s New in Advanced Medicaid Planning Techniques & Prospective Dilemmas in Medicaid Planning,” Speaker, 2001
Attorneys in Tax & Probate, “Current Developments in Medicaid,” Speaker, 2001
Houston Chronicle, Managing Your Money Seminar, “Planning for Elder Care,” Speaker, 2001
State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Course, “Abuse, Neglect & Financial Exploitation of the Elderly,” Speaker, 2000- 2001
NASA/Johnson Space Center, Total Health & Safety Day, “Elder Law Issues,” Speaker, 2000
University of Texas, Intermediate Estate Planning, Guardianship & Elder Law Conference, “Recognizing & Responding to Inappropriate or Illegal Estate Planning,” Speaker, 2000
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Tax Law Course, “Protecting Family Assets With Medicaid Planning,” Speaker, 1999
Attorneys in Tax & Probate, “Testamentary Supplemental Needs Trusts,” Speaker, 1999
HBA, Guardianships & Ad Litem Certification & Elder Law Institute, “Drafting Special Needs Trusts,” Speaker, 1999
Texas NAELA Conference, “New & Cutting Edge Medicaid Strategies,” Speaker, 1999
HBA, Wills & Probate Institute, “Drafting for Medicaid,” Speaker, 1999
Honors and Awards
Outstanding Member Award, Texas Chapter of NAELA, 2002
Martindale Hubble AV Peer Review Rated*
Listed as Lawyer of the Year, Elder Law – Houston Area, Texas’ Best Lawyers, 2014 & 2017
Listed in Texas Super Lawyers – Elder Law, Texas Monthly, 2006-2018
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Texas, Best Lawyers, 2008-2019
Houston’s Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2008, 2009, 2012-2015
Quoted in USA Today, “Sorry, Savers: Interest Rates Set New Lows,” by John Wagner, July 2012
Listed as a Top Rated Lawyer in Trust & Estate Law, The American Lawyer Magazine, 2013
Listed as Top Lawyer in Elder Law, Houstonia Magazine, 2013-2017
Professional Associations and Memberships
Member, Disability and Elder Law Attorneys Association (DELAA), President 1991-1993; An original founder
Member, Houston Bar Association, Probate, Trusts & Estates Section, Chair 2000-2001
Member, State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate & Trust Section
Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Bylaws Committee 2001-2002, Program and Education Committee 2001-2004, Membership Committee 2002-2003, NAELA Board Member 2004-2006, Editorial Board Member for NAELA Journal 2004-2005, Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP)
Member, Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, President 2004-2005, and 2014-2015, Current Past President
Member, Special Needs Alliance (SNA)
Member, The ARC of Greater Houston
Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)