Special Needs Trusts help families plan for long-term care while safeguarding eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. By placing assets in a properly drafted trust, caregivers can cover necessities like housing, therapy, and educational supports without risking benefit interruptions, providing financial security and peace of mind for loved ones.
An integrated plan aligns assets with anticipated care needs, helping to ensure stable housing, ongoing therapies, and tailored daily living supports as the beneficiary grows older.
Our team focuses on comprehensive planning for families dealing with disabilities, ensuring that documents align with benefits rules, guardianship needs, and long-term goals. We work closely with clients to craft practical, durable plans that reflect their values and priorities.
Documentation updates reflect life changes such as marriage, relocation, or shifts in guardianship. We keep your plan aligned with current laws and family goals.
A Special Needs Trust is designed to hold assets for a beneficiary with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits. It coordinates with SSI, Medicaid, and other programs to ensure care needs can be met while assets are controlled by a trusted trustee. If you are considering a trust for a child or adult with disabilities, consult with an attorney who understands Maryland rules and can help you draft document types, select a trustee, and plan for future changes.
Medicaid and SSI eligibility can be affected if assets are owned directly by the beneficiary. A properly drafted SNT uses discrete funding, payback provisions where appropriate, and careful distributions to preserve benefits. Working with a local attorney ensures the trust is compliant with state requirements and aligns with the family’s care goals while avoiding unintended lapses in coverage.
A trustee should be someone who can manage finances, understand disability planning, and communicate clearly with caregivers. This could be a relative, a trusted professional, or a corporate fiduciary. We discuss the options, weigh reliability, fees, and ability to handle complex distributions, and help you document the decision in the trust.
Yes, some trusts are revocable during the early years or adjustable with specific provisions. However, many special needs trusts are designed as irrevocable to preserve eligibility. Any changes typically require amendments or amendments by the trustee or guardians, and may involve court involvement if guardianship or life changes are needed.
Funding a special needs trust can come from family gifts, residual assets from a will, or life insurance proceeds, with rules to ensure the beneficiary remains eligible. We guide you through the funding process, addressing tax considerations and ensuring proper documentation.
Key documents include the trust deed, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, guardianship documents, and any existing wills or trusts. In Maryland, you may need certificates of trust, funding statements, and notarized signatures; we outline the exact requirements in your initial consultation.
The timeline varies with complexity. A straightforward trust can be prepared in a few weeks, while more complex arrangements may take longer due to funding and coordination with government programs. We work to keep you informed and move efficiently while ensuring accuracy.
Set-up costs include document drafting, meetings, and potential filing fees. We provide transparent pricing and a detailed estimate during consultation. Ongoing support, such as annual reviews and updates, may have separate fees; we discuss these in advance.
Guardianship and a Special Needs Trust serve different purposes. Guardianship handles decision-making for a person who cannot manage their own affairs, while a trust protects assets and eligibility. They can work together. We explain when guardianship is appropriate and how to coordinate it with the trust to support the beneficiary’s needs.
To start planning with our firm, contact us to schedule a consultation. We will gather information about your family, assets, and care goals. We will outline options, explain the process, and help you decide on a course of action that protects your loved one’s future.
