Special Needs Planning

Among the many challenges facing parents of children with special needs is planning for the time when the parents will no longer be around to act as the primary care givers. In many cases, expenses will increase when care, management and guidance - previously provided by parents - must instead be obtained from a professional for a fee. Planning by parents can make all the difference in the life of the child with special needs, as well as in that of his or her siblings who may be left with the responsibility for care taking (on top of their own careers and caring for their own families and, possibly, ailing parents). And while every family's situation is unique, the purpose of planning by the parent or loved one is to provide a plan for their own futures and for those of family members with special needs.

Often, parents of children with special needs don't consider creating a special needs trust until their child turns 18 or sometimes even later, when the child requires government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But special needs trusts are tremendously versatile instruments that can do much more than simply protect a person's access to government benefits. There are several reasons why parents don't have to wait until their child turns 18 to create a special needs trust for the child's benefit.

We are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and attend conferences annually to keep abreast of any law changes affecting families with special needs loved ones and to solidify relationships with other professionals around the country who are integral in the special needs planning arena.

We will be happy to assist your family with the important legal questions surrounding Special Needs Planning.

Call us at toll free 1-888-423-3133.

For more information from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, please visit:

NAELA