Close in Blood but Far From Trust

By Cotton Phillips

Names and images have been changed to respect the privacy of the family.

The Ramirez family in Midland was close in blood but far apart in trust. Mom and Dad had four sons: Hector, the oldest, steady but stubborn; Luis, the middle, who’d long emotionally checked out and focused on his own family; Diego, the youngest, struggling with addictions most of his adult life but currently sober; and Marco, the second youngest, who tried to mediate but couldn’t stop the tension.

Mom and Dad needed help with estate planning and Medicaid protection. They knew what needed to be done — they’d seen the system work with their grandmother — but the brothers couldn’t agree on who should hold power of attorney. Hector, the oldest, had talked Dad into a risky investment that failed years ago. He couldn’t stand to be in the same room with Diego for more than five minutes without arguing. Luis was emotionally distant. Marco tried to keep the peace, but the family fights and old resentments won every day.

Every day that Mom and Dad delayed, the clock ticked. They knew the Medicaid five-year lookback would punish late action, and yet the distrust and infighting kept them from acting. By the time Mom and Dad needed assisted living, Medicaid had claimed nearly everything, leaving what remained tangled in probate. The home, the savings, the life they’d built together — gone or tied up in legal red tape — all because the family couldn’t act as one.

Inspired by stories like the Ramirez family, Cotton Phillips Estate Services now offers professional family mediation. We help families navigate trust issues, structure power of attorney, and protect assets even when emotions run high. With our guidance, Mom and Dad could have safeguarded their estate, set up trusts or deed protections, and ensured the family didn’t fight over what was left. Cotton Phillips makes sure indecision doesn’t cost a lifetime of work.

Disclaimer – Not Legal or Financial Advice

Cotton Phillips Estate Services is not a law firm, and I am not an attorney. The services I provide — including assistance with filings, paperwork preparation, negotiations, guidance through administrative processes, and general organization of your estate or benefit-related matters — are only meant to help you understand your options and navigate available procedures.