What Do We Do?
Special needs attorneys provide skilled estate planning services to families of individuals with disabilities, specifically disabled individuals who receive means–tested government benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. Special needs planners help disabled individuals and their families navigate the complicated rules regarding receiving an inheritance while on public benefits and utilize special needs trusts for these estate plans.
Special Needs Trusts
Special needs trusts are trusts that are utilized in an estate plan to ensure that a disabled individual is able to maintain their eligibility for means-tested government assistance programs such as SSI and Medicaid while simultaneously creating a fund to supplement the services and/or care not provided by government programs.
While this may seem impossible, there are legal ways to allow for a disabled individual to inherit funds through this type of trust because the beneficiary does not control the assets in the trust, the trustee controls the assets and ensures that distributions made to the beneficiary will not affect the beneficiary’s eligibility.
Funds in the special needs trust can be used to pay for things such as travel expenses, home improvements to accommodate the beneficiary’s unique needs, schooling, purchase a computer, or even a vehicle. Our skilled special needs attorneys are available to discuss your family’s unique needs; contact us today.
