Properly drafted Special Needs Trusts minimize financial risk, preserve eligibility for public benefits, and provide a clear funding plan that supports daily living, education, medical care, and long-term housing. When tailored to a family’s finances and caregiving structure, the trust becomes a durable framework for future stability.
Coordinating a Special Needs Trust with Medicaid, SSI, and ABLE accounts helps preserve eligibility while maximizing available resources. This integrated approach reduces the risk of inadvertently disqualifying the beneficiary from essential supports.
Our team blends estate planning and disability planning experience with practical, client-centered service. We translate complex rules into actionable plans, communicate clearly, and support families through every milestone of the trust process.
Post-finalization, we provide administration support, trustee guidance, and periodic reviews to adjust the plan as needs and laws evolve.
A Special Needs Trust is a carefully drafted instrument designed to supplement, not replace, public benefits. It allows a beneficiary to receive additional goods and services without reducing eligibility for Medicaid or SSI. The trust can be funded by family or third parties and managed by a trusted trustee. In many cases, early planning enables smoother transitions across life stages, better coordination with caregivers, and more predictable funding for future needs.
Generally, a properly designed SNT does not count trust assets toward Medicaid or SSI. However, there are two common types of SNTs—first-party and third-party—that have different implications. We analyze your asset mix and program rules to preserve eligibility while meeting the beneficiary’s needs. Consultation with a qualified attorney helps ensure compliance and optimal outcomes.
The trustee should be someone trustworthy, financially literate, and capable of long-term planning. Family members, banks, or professional fiduciaries are common choices. We help you weigh fiduciary responsibilities, potential conflicts of interest, and the need for ongoing communication with family members and care providers. We also outline successor trustees to ensure continuity.
Yes. Inheritances and some lawsuits proceeds can fund a Special Needs Trust without disqualifying the beneficiary’s benefits if the funds are placed into a properly drafted SNT. A careful structure separates eligible resources from the beneficiary’s direct ownership and preserves public benefits. We tailor strategies to your specific family situation.
Costs vary by complexity, type of trust, and funding. Typical fees include initial consultation, document drafting, and periodic reviews. We strive for transparent pricing and provide a clear bill of expectations so you understand the value and the long-term benefits of proper trust design. We also discuss potential funding options.
Processing time depends on the readiness of information and the complexity of the plan. Some cases finalize in weeks, others take several months. We keep families informed about milestones and provide a realistic timeline, ensuring steps align with benefit programs and regulatory requirements. Timelines vary by case.
Changing trustees is possible but requires careful attention to legal responsibilities and beneficiary protections. We explain the process, implications for ongoing administration, and how to avoid disruptions in care. Proper governance and clear documentation help prevent disputes and maintain stability.
A Special Needs Trust can fund accessible housing modifications and therapies if approved within trust provisions. We tailor the document to cover durable medical equipment, transportation needs, and non-covered services while ensuring public benefits remain protected. Detailed planning makes these expenditures feasible.
Yes. Trustees have fiduciary duties requiring prudent management and transparent accounting. We discuss the importance of selecting a trustee who understands reporting obligations, conflict management, and the beneficiary’s best interests to prevent disputes and ensure continuity. We include governance provisions in the trust.
Regular reviews every one to three years—or when life circumstances change—help ensure the trust continues to meet goals and comply with evolving laws. We provide checklists for updates to beneficiaries, assets, and caregiving plans so your arrangement stays current. Ongoing maintenance is key.
