Many retirees believe their estate plans are airtight—wills are signed, trusts are funded, and beneficiaries are named. But there’s a hidden vulnerability that catches thousands off guard: a loophole in elder law that allows states to recover Medicaid costs from your estate after death. Known as Medicaid estate recovery, this policy can claim up to half—or more—of your assets, even if you thought they were protected. It’s a legal blind spot that can undo years of careful planning.
