Planning for Those With Special Needs

Families who have a family member with a disability must plan for the future very carefully. How assets are left after your death can have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for that person. In the past, a Will may have been enough, but times have changed. To protect a person with special needs, a well-defined estate plan is vital.

How A Special Needs Trust Works

A Special Needs Trust allows a parent, grandparent or guardian to provide funds for a disabled child without disrupting the child’s eligibility for government aid. Setting one up is a fairly simple process. Important points to remember while investigating the use of this estate planning tool are:

  • Decide on an appropriate guardian for your child

     
  • Determine who would be a suitable Trustee(s) to manage the Trust's assets and supervise your child's finances

     
  • Outline instructions for your child's education, housing, personal and emotional needs

 

Special needs planning is not something to take lightly. Many families may think that they have a plan in place that will provide for their loved one with a disability, but if that plan does not include a SNT, it may not provide the protection they need. Families may find the task of planning for someone with a disability daunting, but with the help of qualified professionals, this important task can be completed effectively with a minimum of stress. When you are looking for an estate planning or elder law attorney to help you through this process be sure they have experience working with special needs planning. You should feel comfortable and confident that you have chosen someone who can help you take care of this very important planning. 

Our law firm helps families address the financial, legal and social aspects of a person’s life to develop an effective plan for the future. Our goal is to ensure that their needs are met and that they have the opportunity to expand their horizons and follow their dreams.


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