A properly drafted special needs trust helps preserve eligibility for public benefits, coordinates with guardians and care providers, and supports predictable funding for essential services. In Havre de Grace, a local attorney’s guidance reduces risk, clarifies distribution rules, and ensures that money is used to enhance quality of life without jeopardizing benefits.
A holistic strategy coordinates assets, benefits, and care providers to safeguard the beneficiary’s quality of life. This approach minimizes the risk of losing essential supports while enabling growth and independence.
Choosing our team means working with attorneys who understand Maryland’s estate planning and disability benefits landscape. We focus on practical, durable solutions that protect eligibility while supporting ongoing care.
Ongoing oversight includes regular reviews, beneficiary updates, and adjustments to distributions as life circumstances shift. You receive steady support to maintain benefits and secure care.
A special needs trust is a vehicle designed to supplement but not replace government benefits. It holds assets for the beneficiary and distributes funds for approved needs, preserving eligibility while expanding access to health care, education, and daily living supports.
Parents, guardians, and siblings who want to safeguard a family member’s future often choose a special needs trust. It is especially helpful when there are existing assets or income that could affect eligibility for means tested programs.
Funds in a special needs trust are generally not counted for Medicaid or SSI, provided distributions comply with program rules. Proper planning helps avoid penalties and ensures that essential services remain available while the beneficiary maintains independence.
Maryland requires careful drafting, trustee designation, and funding steps. The process usually begins with a goals assessment, followed by document preparation, client approvals, and funding arrangements that align with benefit rules and tax considerations.
A trustee can be a trusted family member, a friend, or a professional fiduciary. The right choice balances accessibility and impartiality, while ensuring consistent administration and accurate record keeping for ongoing benefit compliance.
Costs vary based on complexity, but many families invest in a clear plan, document preparation, and annual administration. We provide transparent pricing and guidance to help families understand ongoing maintenance, including reporting requirements and possible updates.
Yes. An ABLE account can complement a special needs trust, offering tax advantaged savings for disability related expenses. The two tools can work together to maximize benefits while preserving eligibility, but coordination is essential to avoid affecting program rules.
Regular reviews—at least annually—help ensure the trust stays aligned with changing benefits, health needs, and family goals. Updates may be needed for new guardians, assets, or shifts in state and federal programs.
If the beneficiary passes away, the trust terms determine what happens to remaining assets. Some arrangements prioritize debts or estate taxes, others allow funds to assist siblings or caregivers, all within the framework of benefit programs and applicable laws.
To start planning, contact our Havre de Grace office to schedule an initial consultation. We will discuss goals, gather documents, and outline the steps to draft, fund, and manage a special needs trust that fits your family.
