How long does a trust need to be in effect so a nursing home can not take it for a persons care:

There is a five year look back.  If your mother is in a nursing home she will have to pay for the care she is receiving.  If she runs out of money she can continue to get care  through Medicaid, but she has to prove she has spent her own money.  If the money has been in a trust for more than five years, Medicaid will not require her to spend those funds.