Special Needs Trusts help families safeguard benefits like SSI and Medicaid while providing a structured way to fund care. A well-drafted trust reduces risk of disqualification from programs when properly funded and managed. It also clarifies how assets are used for healthcare, housing, education, and daily living.
A unified plan simplifies governance by consolidating trustees, agents, and reporting. This reduces confusion during life events such as caregiver changes or relocations, and helps ensure consistent decisions in line with the beneficiary’s goals.
Our North Carolina-based firm brings a steady track record in Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Probate. We tailor Special Needs Trusts to fit each family’s goals, and we coordinate with financial professionals to ensure plans stay compliant and effective over time.
Lifespan planning addresses future events and changes in guardianship, care needs, and asset management. Our team prepares adaptable strategies that keep the beneficiary’s best interests at the forefront.
A Special Needs Trust is designed to protect a beneficiary’s eligibility for government programs while providing funds for quality of life. It allows families to set aside assets that won’t jeopardize essential benefits, and it can be customized to meet individual care plans. This approach supports independence and stability.
A Special Needs Trust preserves eligibility by separating trust assets from the beneficiary’s countable resources. Proper drafting ensures funds are used for approved expenses, while trustees manage distributions with a focus on ongoing benefits. Regular reviews help maintain compliance as laws and circumstances change.
A trustee can be a family member, a professional fiduciary, or an institution, depending on the complexity of the trust and the beneficiary’s needs. The trustee administers distributions, keeps records, and ensures adherence to program rules. Clear selection guidelines help safeguard the beneficiary’s interests.
Costs include attorney fees for drafting, potential court costs, and ongoing administration. Our firm provides transparent pricing and scalable options to fit different asset levels. You gain long-term value through careful planning that protects benefits and supports care.
Yes. Inheritance or settlements can fund a Special Needs Trust without automatically disqualifying benefits if properly structured. The trust holds and distributes assets according to its terms while preserving eligibility, though payback considerations may apply for first-party trusts.
First-party SNTs use the beneficiary’s resources and may require Medicaid payback after death, while third-party SNTs use assets from family or friends and generally do not require payback. Each type serves different funding sources and planning goals.
ABLE accounts complement SNTs by allowing additional savings for disability-related expenses without immediately impacting benefits, within annual limits. They work best alongside a properly structured trust, ensuring funds support daily living while maintaining program eligibility.
A letter of intent communicates the beneficiary’s preferences for healthcare, education, housing, and daily routines. It guides trustees and caregivers when documents are silent or changing circumstances occur. Include decision-making priorities, names of key contacts, and a roadmap for future care.
To begin, contact our office to schedule a consultation. We will outline the options, explain costs, and discuss your goals for the beneficiary’s care. From there, we draft and finalize the trust documents and coordinate funding and governance.
