At Jarvis Law Office, P.C., our Qualified Income Trust attorneys help Ohio families handle Medicaid income eligibility with hands-on trust funding and long-term support backed by more than 20 years of elder law experience.
We have spent the last two decades helping clients protect what they have worked a lifetime to build. One client recently shared that we “took the time to explain every detail clearly, which made a complicated situation much easier to understand,” reflecting the education-first approach we bring to every QIT engagement.
In Ohio, Medicaid applicants seeking long-term care coverage must keep gross monthly income below the state cap. Any Ohioan whose income exceeds that figure must use a Qualified Income Trust, also called a Miller Trust, to become eligible. Without one in place before your application is reviewed, denial is nearly certain.
At Jarvis Law Office, we walk alongside you through trust setup, trustee coaching, and monthly administration so your plan stays on track. If you are facing an urgent Medicaid application deadline or planning ahead to protect a loved one’s long-term care eligibility, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Qualified Income Trust Services in Ohio
- QIT drafting and setup
- Trustee coaching and guidance
- Medicaid income planning
- Ohio Medicaid applications
- Elder law planning
- Asset protection strategies
- Powers of attorney
- Long-term care Medicaid planning
- Probate avoidance
WE WILL SPEAK FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your options. You may find that you are entitled to payment if your claim was denied or underpaid. Let Jarvis Law Office be your advocate
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Why Ohio Families Choose Jarvis Law Office for QIT Planning
20+ Years of Elder Law Experience
Since 2003, we have helped Ohio families handle Medicaid rules, QITs, and long-term care planning.
Hands-On Trust Funding Support
We do not hand you paperwork and wish you luck. Our team helps open the QIT bank account and confirms deposits are flowing correctly.
Trustee Coaching Built In
Whether a spouse, child, or agent under power of attorney serves as trustee, we train them on monthly deposits, allowable expenses, and recordkeeping.
Education-First
You get clear written instructions and answers to your questions, so you understand the plan and can manage it with confidence.
One-Time Flat Fee
No monthly charges. No recurring insurance-style fees. You pay once and keep the plan.
A 35+ Person Team Behind You
Licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio and an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association, our firm has the depth to support you long after the trust is signed.
How a Qualified Income Trust Works
1. Draft and sign the trust
The QIT document is prepared to meet Ohio Medicaid rules, then signed by the grantor or an authorized agent under a valid power of attorney.
2. Open a dedicated QIT checking account
A QIT checking account must be a separate account used exclusively for the grantor’s income. No other funds, gifts, or deposits can flow through it.
3. Deposit excess income each month
Every month, enough of the grantor’s income is deposited into the QIT to bring the remaining outside income below the Ohio Medicaid income cap. The 2026 cap sits at $2,982 per month for long-term care Medicaid.
4. Trustee disburses funds
The trustee pays out money only for permitted categories, such as a personal needs allowance, spousal allowance, health insurance premiums, and the patient liability owed to the nursing facility.
5. End the month near zero
After permitted payments, the QIT balance should be minimal. This keeps the trust compliant and the Medicaid eligibility intact month after month.
What Expenses Can QIT Funds Pay?
Ohio Medicaid limits how money in a Qualified Income Trust can be spent each month.
QIT funds generally must be used for approved expenses in the proper order, including the resident’s personal needs allowance, health insurance premiums, uncovered medical costs, any approved spousal or family allowance, and patient liability paid to the care facility.
The trust cannot be used for everyday personal expenses outside Medicaid’s approved categories, such as groceries, cable, clothing, gifts, or credit card bills. Disallowed payments can put eligibility at risk, so the trustee must keep clear records of every deposit and payment for county review.
What Happens to QIT Funds After Death?
After a Medicaid recipient dies, any money left in a Qualified Income Trust must first be handled according to Ohio Medicaid recovery rules. The State of Ohio must be named as the primary beneficiary up to the amount of Medicaid benefits paid during the recipient’s lifetime.
If the QIT was administered correctly, the remaining balance is usually small because income should be deposited and spent each month on approved expenses, including patient liability and medical costs.
If money remains in the account, it is typically used to pay final trust expenses first, then reimburse Ohio Medicaid, with any remaining balance passing to named secondary beneficiaries. Careful monthly administration matters because skipped payments or accumulated funds can reduce what heirs may receive.
About Jarvis Law Office, P.C.
Since May 2003, Jarvis Law Office, P.C. has helped Ohio families protect what they have built through probate avoidance and strategic trust planning. Our team of 35+ professionals brings more than two decades of focused experience to every plan, including Qualified Income Trusts for Medicaid eligibility.
We are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio and an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association. Families across the state count on us for clear guidance, hands-on asset funding, and steady long-term support, not paperwork left half-finished.
Our flat-fee approach keeps costs predictable, and we work alongside your existing financial advisors rather than replacing them. The goal is to create a plan you understand and a team that stays with you for the long haul.
Can a Power of Attorney Sign a QIT in Ohio?
Yes, a power of attorney may sign a Qualified Income Trust in Ohio, but only if the document gives the agent the right authority. When a Medicaid applicant cannot sign because of incapacity, the attorney-in-fact may act on their behalf if the power of attorney allows.
This is a common issue for families using older or limited POA documents. If the document does not grant enough authority and the applicant no longer has capacity to sign a new one, the family may need to seek guardianship through probate court before a QIT can be created.
How Quickly Can a Miller Trust Be Established in Ohio?
A Qualified Income Trust/Miller Trust can often be drafted, signed, and funded within days to a couple of weeks, depending on the attorney’s availability and how close you are to a Medicaid application deadline. Simple cases with organized documents move fastest. More complex situations, like coordinating with a nursing facility or untangling joint accounts, may take a bit longer.
At Jarvis Law Office, P.C., we treat QIT cases with the urgency they deserve. Our team handles drafting, trust funding guidance, and bank account setup quickly so the trust is ready before your filing date.
If you are facing a tight Medicaid deadline, the sooner you reach out, the more options we have to protect coverage and avoid costly delays.
Our Process For Ohio Clients
1. Free initial consultation
Meet with us in person or over Zoom.
2. Review income and Medicaid eligibility
We analyze your income sources and qualification gap.
3. Draft and execute the Qualified Income Trust
We prepare and finalize your QIT documents.
4. Open dedicated QIT checking account
We guide you in setting up the trust account.
5. Trustee coaching and administration guidance
We train your trustee on monthly deposits and disbursements.
6. Ongoing support as your needs evolve
We stay available as circumstances and rules change.
What Ohio Clients Say About Jarvis Law Office
“My husband and I just got our planning in place and it was a very informative and painless process.” – Courtney P
This reflects how we turn what feels overwhelming into a calm, manageable experience for families planning ahead.
“He took the time to explain every detail clearly, which made a complicated situation much easier to understand.” – Luke B
Special needs trust planning involves layered rules around SSI and Medicaid, and clear education is central to how we work.
“She was friendly, professional, and went above and beyond to help me… someone who genuinely cares.” – Nate T
Families planning for a loved one with a disability deserve a team that listens with compassion and treats every situation with respect.
“He’s had over 20 years experience… makes me feel better about choosing his firm.” – MaryEllen G
Two decades of Ohio trust and estate work means clients get guidance grounded in real experience, not guesswork.
“From intake to years down the road when you need to just refresh your memory on how things work.” – Courtney P
Special needs trusts often last decades, and clients count on us to remain available long after the documents are signed.
Local Resources for QITs in Ohio
- Ohio Department of Medicaid
- Ohio Benefits
- Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline
- Ohio Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports
- Ohio Medicaid Estate Recovery
- County Departments of Job and Family Services
- Ohio Department of Aging
- Ohio Area Agencies on Aging
- Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Ohio Office of Vital Statistics
- Ohio Probate Courts
- Supreme Court of Ohio
- Disability Rights Ohio
- Pro Seniors
Schedule a Consultation with an Ohio Qualified Income Trust Attorney
If your income is above Ohio’s Medicaid limit, do not wait to set up a Qualified Income Trust. Every month without one is a month of denied benefits and out-of-pocket nursing home costs.
Our flat-fee model means you know the cost upfront. No hourly surprises, no recurring monthly charges, no insurance-style fees down the road.
Call Jarvis Law Office, P.C. to book your consultation. A QIT can often be drafted, signed, and funded within days, so help is closer than you think.
