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Molly Dear Abshire - Bellaire, TX
4949 Bissonnet Street Bellaire, TX 77401
Wright Abshire, Attorneys, A Professional Corporation
Updated: 12/03/2024
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Bellaire Elder Law Lawyer
About Molly Dear Abshire
Practice Areas
- Elder Law
- Probate and Estate Administration
- Special Needs Trust Planning
- Trust Administration
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1993
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
- U.S. Supreme Court
Specialties and Certifications
- Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Certified Elder Law Attorney, National Elder Law Foundation
- Accredited Claims Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs
Other Affiliations
- Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Member, State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate & Trust Section
- Member, Houston Bar Association, Probate, Trusts & Estates Section, Council, 2009-2019; Chair, 2019-2020
- Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- Member, Texas Chapter of NAELA, Board Member, 2005-2011, Past President
Education
- South Texas College of Law Houston, Houston, Texas, 1993
J.D. - Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1989
B.A. - English
Classes and Seminars
- University of Texas, 2024 Special Needs Trust Conference, “Overview of Special Needs Trust”, Speaker, Austin, February 2024
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2024, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January, 2024
- Houston Young Lawyer Association, Special Needs Planning and Guardianship Nuts and Bolts, May, 2023
- University of Texas, 2023 Special Needs Trust Conference, "Overview of Special Needs Trust," Speaker, February, 2023
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2023, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January, 2023
- State Bar of Texas Advanced Guardianship Law & Advanced Elder Law Conference, November 2022, Course Director
- Houston Business and Estate Planning Counsel, Top Ten Things to Know Regarding Elder Law, Houston, September 2022
- Houston Bar Association, Focus on Medicaid and Medicare, September 2022
- Co-Chair State Bar of Texas Handling Your First (or Next) Medicaid or Elder Law Case, Austin, Texas, March 2022
- University of Texas, 2022 Special Needs Trust Conference, "Overview of Special Needs Trust," Speaker, Webcast, February, 2022
- State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2022, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Webcast, January 2022
- Co-Chair State Bar of Texas, Handling Your First (or Next) Medicaid or Elder Law Case, Webcast, February 2021
- University of Texas, 2021 Special Needs Trust Conference, "Overview of Special Needs Trust," Speaker, Austin, February, 2021
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2021, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January, 2021
- University of Texas, 2020 Special Needs Trust Conference, "Overview of Special Needs Trust," Speaker, Austin, February 2020
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2020, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2020
- State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Course, Counseling Elder Law Clients: Getting People from A to Z, Houston, April 2019
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including Special Needs Trusts," Speaker, South Carolina, July 2019
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2019, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2019
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including Special Needs Trusts," Speaker, New York, July 2018
- Houston Bar Association, "The Impact of the Elder Getting Divorced in Texas," Co-Presenter, March 2018
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including Special Needs Trusts," Speaker, New York, July 2017
- Houston Business and Estate Planning Council, "Dealing with Our Aging Clients (and Parents)," Co-Presenter, Houston, March 2017
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2017, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2017
- South Texas College of Law, "Planning for Retirement," Co-Presenter, October 2016
- Hidalgo County Bar Association, "Estate Planning and Why It Pays to Plan Ahead," Speaker, September 2016
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including Special Needs Trusts," Speaker, New York, July 2016
- Houston Bar Association, "The Dementia Epidemic," Co-Presenter, July 2016
- Dallas Society of CPAs, "Capacity Issues," Speaker, Dallas, January 2016
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2018, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2018
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate 2016, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2016
- Texas A&M University, Texas Aggie Bar Association Conference, "What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Elder Law for Personal and Practice," Speaker, College Station, March 2016
- State Bar of Texas, Handling Your First (Or Next) Medicaid Case, "Creating a Plan to Achieve Medicaid Eligibility," Speaker, Austin, December 2015
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including SNTs," New York, July 2015
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Elder Law and Guardianship Course, "Initial Client Meeting for Medicaid Planning," Speaker, Houston, April 2015
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estate and Probate Course, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2015
- State Bar of Texas, 16th Annual State Bar College Summer School Course, "Elder Law and Disability Issues," Speaker, Galveston, July 2014
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including Special Needs Trusts," Speaker, New York City, July 2014
- University of Houston, 12th Annual Gulf Coast Regional Gift Planning Conference, The Top Ten Things a Planner Should Know about Elder Law, UH Hilton, Houston, April 2014
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estate and Probate Course, "Elder Law Overview," Speaker, Austin, January 2014
- State Bar of Texas, 15th Annual Summer School Course, "Top Ten Things an Estate Planner Should Know," Speaker, Galveston, July 2013
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits, Including Special Needs Trusts, Speaker, New York City, July 2013
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, "Hot Topics in Elder Law," Speaker, Houston, June 2013
- Hidalgo County Bar Association, "Elder Law Planning and Special Needs Trusts," Speaker, McAllen, May 2013
- Dallas Society of CPAs, "Financing Long-Term Care," Speaker, Dallas, May 2013
- State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Estate and Probate Course, "Elder Law Planning and Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2013
- Corpus Christi Estate Planning Council, "The Top Ten Things an Estate Planner Should Know About Elder Law," Speaker, Corpus Christi, October 2012
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits," New York, July 2012
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, "The Top Ten Things an Estate Planner Should Know About Elder Law", San Antonio, June 2012
- South Texas College of Law, "Elder Law Symposium, Guardianship Alternatives, Including Powers of Attorney," Co-Speaker, Houston, April 2012
- Rio Grande Valley Estate Planning Council, "Elder Law Overview," Speaker, McAllen, April 2012
- Hidalgo County Bar Association, "Special Needs Trust," Speaker, McAllen, April 2012
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates and Probate, "Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2012
- State Bar of Texas, Medicaid 101, "Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, November 2011
- South Texas College of Law, "26th Annual Wills & Probate Institute, Medicaid & VA Updates," Speaker, September 2011
- American Bar Association, Skills Training for Estate Planners, "Planning for Public Benefits," Speaker, New York, July 2011
- State Bar of Texas, "35th Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, Medicaid & VA Update," Speaker, Fort Worth, June 2011
- Hidalgo County Bar Association, "Building a Successful Estate Planning & Probate Law Practice, Court Created Trusts in Texas, Including Ethical Considerations," Speaker, McAllen, March 2011
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates, & Probate, Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2011
- State Bar of Texas, Estate Planning & Probate Drafting Course, "Drafting to Retain Governmental Benefits for Devisees" Speaker, Houston, October 2010
- South Texas College of Law, 25th Annual Wills & Probate Institute, "Medicaid Update," Speaker, Houston, September 2010
- State Bar of Texas, "Advanced Elder Law 2010, 2009 Legislative Changes," Speaker, Dallas, April 2010
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate, Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, Austin, January 2010
- Houston Bar Association, "Guardianship Ad Litem in Probate Court & Elder Law Institute, Continuing Legal Education, Introduction To Veterans Benefits," Speaker, Houston, January 2010
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate Course," Speaker, January 2009
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Elder Law & Guardianship Course, "Medicaid Estate Recovery Program" Speaker, Houston, March 2009
- State Bar of Texas, "Medicaid Planning, What You Can Do and You Must Know," Speaker, Austin, November 2008
- Houston Bar Association, "Sole-Benefit Trusts," Speaker, Houston, July 2008
- "Victoria Area Regional Estate Planning Council, Wills & Supplemental Needs Trusts Overview," Speaker, Victoria, May 2008
- State Bar of Texas, "Advanced Guardianship & Elder Law Course, When Family Law & Elder Law Intersect," Speaker, Dallas, March 2008
- Disability & Elder Law Attorneys Association, "Non-Institutional Medicaid Programs for the Elderly & Disabled," Speaker, Houston, January 2008
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate Course," Speaker, January 2008
- Attorney in Tax & Probate, "Supplemental Needs Trusts Overview," Speaker, Houston, April 2007
- Houston Bar Association, "Probate, Trusts & Estates Section Meeting, Medicaid Changes & Strategies," Speaker, Houston, March 2007
- University of Texas School of Law, Special Needs Trusts: A Guide for Attorneys, "Financial Advisors & Trust Officers, HUD Housing," Speaker, Austin, February 2005
- University of Texas, "Special Needs Trust Conference, Special Needs Trust Overview," Speaker, February 2007
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate Course, Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, Houston, January 2007
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate Course, Live Studio Broadcast, "Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, January 2006
- State Bar of Texas, "Advanced Drafting: Estate Planning & Probate Course, Elder Law Drafting Considerations," Speaker, Austin, October 2005
- University of Texas School of Law, Elder Law Conference, "Nursing Home Misrepresentations," Speaker, Galveston, August 2005
- State Bar of Texas, "Elder Law Primer," Speaker, Dallas, June 2005
- Attorneys in Tax & Probate, "Medicaid Update," Speaker, Houston, May 2005
- Disability & Elder Law Attorneys Association, "How to Determine if Your Client Qualifies for Low-Cost Housing," Speaker, Houston, February 2005
- State Bar of Texas, "Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate Course, A Live Studio Broadcast, Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, January 2005
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Drafting: Estate Planning & Probate Course, "Drafting for the Elderly: Medicaid & Other Mountains, Speaker, League City, October 2004
- University of Texas School of Law, Intermediate Estate Planning, Guardianship & Elder Law Conference, "Affordable Housing," Speaker, Galveston, August 2004
- Halfmoon LLC, Practical Medicare & Medicaid Skills in Texas, Medicaid Benefits & Eligibility, Speaker, Houston, August 2004
- University of Houston, Wills & Probate Institute, Medicaid, Medicare & Estate Recovery: Can You Get the Benefits without Losing Everything, Speaker, Houston, May 2004
- National Business Institute, Estate, Financial & Health Care Planning Seminar, Speaker Houston, April 2004
- State Bar of Texas, Building Blocks of Wills, Estates & Probate Course, A Live Studio Broadcast, "Elder Law Planning & Issue Spotting," Speaker, January 2004
- Disability & Elder Law Attorneys Association, Basic Self-Settled SNTs/Pooled Trusts, Speaker, Houston, May 2003
- South Texas College of Law, Elder Law Conference: Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts & Guardianships, Ten Common Errors in Medicaid Planning, Speaker, Houston, May 2003
- Halfmoon LLC Seminars: Practical Medicare & Medicaid Skills in Texas, "Planning for Medicaid Eligibility & Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law, Speaker, Houston, March 2003
- South Texas College of Law, Representing the Elder Client: Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts & Guardianships, Speaker, Houston, September 2002
- South Texas College of Law, Wills & Probate Institute, Medicaid Planning, Speaker, Houston, September 2001
- State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Course, Abuse, Neglect & Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, Co-Author, Houston & Dallas, December 2000 & February 2001
- NASA/Johnson Space Center, Total Health & Safety Day, Elder Law Issues, Speaker, October 2000
- State Bar of Texas, Agricultural Law Seminar, Trespass Concerns, Austin, June 1994
Achievements
Other Sources of Feedback About Molly Dear Abshire
Included on the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2023 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Texas Super Lawyers list
Honors
- Listed as a Top Rated Lawyer in Trust & Estate Law, The American Lawyer Magazine, 2013
- Listed as Lawyer of the Year in Elder Law, Best Lawyers, 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2024
- Listed in Best Lawyers - Elder Law, Trusts and Estates, 2008-2024
- Listed in Texas Super Lawyers - Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate, 2007-2024
- Listed in the Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers Top List, 2014, 2023-2024
- Listed in the Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers Top List, 2024
- Top Women Attorneys in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2023
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2008, 2012-2023
- Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2008, 2010, 2012-2015
- Listed as a Top Lawyer in Elder Law, Houstonia Magazine, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021
- Lawyers on the Fast Track, H Texas Magazine, 2004
- Martindale Hubble AV® Peer Review Rated
Office Information
Address
4949 Bissonnet Street Bellaire, TX 77401
Phone
Fax
- 713-660-8889
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Office Hours
8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday, by appointment only
Publication
Articles
- “Estate Planning as Part of Retirement Planning,” Houston Chronicle, Retirement Planning Section, Co-Author, January 2018
- “Elder law: How will you pay for long-term care?” facebook.com/national-elder-law-foundation, 2017
- “Elder Law: How will you pay for long-term care?” lmtonline.com, 2017
- Houston Chronicle Columnist, “Elder Law Notes,” Monthly, Senior Living Section
- Houston Chronicle Columnist, "Elder Law Notes," Monthly, 50+ Section
- "Planning Effectively to Cope with Medicaid Estate Recovery," Estate Planning, Vol. 32 No. 8, Co-Author, August 2005
- South Texas College of Law, Representing the Elderly Client: Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts & Guardianships, "Fifteen Misrepresentations Made by Nursing Homes," Co-Author, Houston, May 2002
- State Bar of Texas, Elder Law Course, "Basic Medicaid & Long-Term Care Planning," Co-Author, Austin, March 2002
- Houston Bar Association, Wills & Probate Institute, "Practical Considerations in Medicaid Planning: Twelve Things to Avoid," Co-Author, Houston, February 2002
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course, "Report on Medicare After the HMO Retreat, What's New in Advanced Medicaid Planning Techniques & Prospective Dilemmas in Medicaid Planning," Co-Author, Houston, June 2001
- "Miller Trust May Help You, Loved One, Qualify for Medicaid Benefits," Houston Chronicle, 50+ Section, Co-Author, March 2001
- The University of Texas School of Law, Intermediate Estate Planning, Guardianship & Elder Law Conference, "Recognizing & Responding to Inappropriate or Illegal Estate Planning," Co-Author, Galveston, August 2000
- "Special Trust Protects from Medicaid Rules," Houston Chronicle, 50+ Section, Co-Author, February 2000
- "Assessing a Person for Nursing Home Medicaid Eligibility," The Pocket Guide, Co-Author, 1999
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