Atty. Charles Backs
Charles has counseled numerous families regarding wills, revocable living trusts and the funding of those trusts, asset preservation and nursing home expense planning, guardianships, powers of attorney, living wills, and the probate administration process – whether they are in crisis planning mode or looking down the road at what may impact them or their family members. Charles also assists caregivers and their families in making healthcare decisions for disabled individuals, and he regularly advises veterans and their spouses on the management, preservation, and protection of assets, as well
Elder Law & More Attorney · Serving Fort Wayne, IN
Profile Summary
About Charles Backs at a Glance
Charles Backs is a trusts and elder law attorney based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, practicing at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Educated at Valparaiso University (J.D., 1996) and Valparaiso University (—, 1996). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Elder Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026). Serves clients in Fort Wayne, IN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Charles Backs
- Charles has counseled numerous families regarding wills, revocable living trusts and the funding of those trusts, asset preservation and nursing home expense planning, guardianships, powers of attorney, living wills, and the probate administration process – whether they are in crisis planning mode or looking down the road at what may impact them or their family members
- Charles also assists caregivers and their families in making healthcare decisions for disabled individuals, and he regularly advises veterans and their spouses on the management, preservation, and protection of assets, as well as Medicaid planning
- Because of his depth of knowledge regarding the intricacies of Medicaid programs
- nursing home, health agency or in-home care expenses
- other healthcare costs
- and retirement options, Charles is a trusted adviser
- He presents his clients with the available programs, options, answers and opportunities to help them learn what all is out there so they can make the best, most-informed choice
- Charles is a frequent presenter at seminars on Medicaid and estate planning topics throughout the state
- He is also an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for Veterans Affairs Benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs
Practice Areas Explained
Charles Backs's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Charles Backs handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Fort Wayne.
Trusts in Fort Wayne
Charles Backs is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Indiana →
Elder Law in Fort Wayne
Elder law attorneys for Medicaid planning, long-term care, guardianship, conservatorship, and elder abuse.
Charles Backs is one of 52,999 elder law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse elder law attorneys in Indiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Fort Wayne
Practicing law in Indiana. Legal matters in Indiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Fort Wayne are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Indiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Indiana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Indiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Fort Wayne Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Fort Wayne-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Indiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Fort Wayne or all attorneys in Indiana.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Fort Wayne Choose Charles Backs
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Charles Backs's practice in the field of trusts and elder law.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering trusts and elder law, Charles Backs can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Fort Wayne
A Fort Wayne-based practice means Charles Backs attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Charles Backs's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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