A properly structured special needs trust helps preserve important benefits, supports daily living, and ensures long-term stability for a beneficiary. It allows family members to allocate funds for education, therapy, transportation, and enrichment activities without risking loss of eligibility for essential programs.
A comprehensive plan helps ensure seamless care by aligning funding with day-to-day needs, reducing gaps in services, and providing a dependable framework for caregivers and guardians as circumstances change.
Our firm concentrates on estate planning and probate with a focus on protecting loved ones’ futures. We bring hands-on experience, clear explanations, and a collaborative approach to create reliable, actionable strategies that align with family goals and legal requirements.
Accurate records, notices to beneficiaries, and ongoing reporting support maintain transparency and accountability. We provide guidance to help ensure documentation remains up to date as circumstances change.
A special needs trust (SNT) is a legal arrangement designed to provide supplemental support for a beneficiary with a disability without disqualifying them from public benefits. It enables distributions for items beyond basic needs, such as education or recreation, while protecting overall eligibility. Properly drafted, an SNT helps preserve a loved one’s independence and access to essential resources over time.
Public benefits like Medicaid and SSI have strict limits that can be affected by asset ownership. An SNT allows funds to be used for non-covered needs without counting toward those limits, provided the trust is properly structured and administered. Always coordinate with a qualified attorney to maximize benefit preservation.
A trustee can be a family member, a trusted friend, or a professional entity with fiduciary duties. Maryland allows individuals and institutions to serve, but the chosen trustee should understand responsibilities, reporting requirements, and the beneficiary’s needs. Consider succession planning to avoid gaps in management.
Costs vary by complexity, funding level, and whether professional trustees are used. Typical timelines span several weeks to a few months. We provide transparent estimates and a step-by-step schedule to help families plan and stay on track. Administrative fees and ongoing management costs should be discussed up front.
Most provisions can be amended with proper legal guidance, but significant changes may require restating the trust. A careful amendment process preserves beneficiary protections and avoids unintended consequences. Regular reviews help ensure the plan stays aligned with evolving laws and care needs.
