Special Needs Trusts help families protect resources without sacrificing eligibility for crucial programs. A well drafted trust can fund essential supports, therapies, and activities beyond basic benefits, while the beneficiary still qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Proper design also guides guardians and trustees through ongoing administration.
Combining assets within a trust helps shield resources from improper uses and ensures funds target eligible expenses, enhancing security for the person with disabilities.
Choosing us means working with attorneys who combine local knowledge with broad experience in estate planning and special needs planning. We listen to your goals, translate legal terms into clear steps, and deliver reliable strategies designed to protect benefits and support long-term care.
Our team offers ongoing support, periodic reviews, and updates to reflect changes in benefits, family circumstances, and laws.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that preserves eligibility for public benefits while providing for supplemental expenses. It funds therapies, transportation, and activities that benefits may not fully cover, without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid. The trust is designed to complement benefits, not replace them.
Anyone with a qualifying disability who relies on public benefits can consider a Special Needs Trust. Families often pursue these trusts to protect assets while maintaining access to essential programs, ensuring ongoing care and opportunities for growth.
In most cases, properly drafted SNTs preserve eligibility for SSI and Medicaid. Distributions from the trust are used for expenses beyond benefits, such as therapies or equipment, without counting against benefit limits. However, rules vary, so professional guidance is important.
A Trustee can be a family member, trusted friend, or a professional fiduciary. The right choice balances reliability, financial acumen, and the ability to manage sensitive information and complex distributions in line with program rules.
Eligible expenses include medical care, therapies, housing costs, transportation, education, and personal development. The trust must fund these items in a way that aligns with program guidelines and avoids disqualifying the beneficiary from benefits.
A first-party SNT is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and requires careful handling to comply with payback rules. A third-party SNT is funded with assets from someone else, avoiding payback but requiring careful drafting to meet goals.
Funding typically comes from cash, investments, or transferred assets. The process involves identifying available resources, establishing the trust, and coordinating with attorneys to ensure proper timing and documentation.
Yes. You can change trustees if needed, following the trust’s terms and applicable law. It’s important to select a stable, experienced trustee and to document any transitions clearly to maintain compliance with benefits rules.
The timeline varies but generally ranges from several weeks to a few months, depending on complexity, funding sources, and responsiveness of involved parties. Early preparation can help shorten the process.
Fees depend on complexity and scope. We provide transparent pricing and breakdowns, including drafting, review, funding setup, and future updates, so you know what to expect before committing to a plan.
