Special Needs Trusts allow disabled beneficiaries to receive supplemental funds without jeopardizing eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and other programs. By coordinating with other estate planning documents, these trusts provide ongoing support for education, healthcare, housing, and daily needs, while maintaining eligibility for essential public benefits.
A well‑designed plan ensures access to healthcare, housing support, education, and enrichment activities. By providing supplementary funds in a controlled way, the beneficiary’s quality of life improves while public benefits remain protected.
With experience in estate planning, elder law, and family mediation, we help families craft durable plans that balance independence, safety, and benefit preservation. Our local focus ensures timely support and a clear understanding of North Carolina requirements.
We schedule periodic reviews to adjust distributions, update trustees, and reassess funding. Proactive updates help sustain benefits and align with evolving family goals.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal tool designed to provide supplemental support to an individual with disabilities while preserving eligibility for public benefits. It holds assets used for education, healthcare, and daily care, with distributions carefully managed to avoid disqualifying benefits. Families benefit from increased security and control over future resources.
A trustee should be someone who understands disability needs, trusts administration, and local laws. This can be a family member, a trusted friend, or a professional fiduciary. Local expertise enhances coordination with service providers, reporting, and compliance with North Carolina requirements.
When properly structured, a Special Needs Trust protects eligible benefits while allowing additional funds for supplemental care. Direct gifts to the beneficiary can jeopardize benefits, but trust distributions are carefully managed to avoid lapses in government support.
First‑party SNTs use assets owned by the beneficiary, whereas third‑party SNTs are funded by others. Both aim to preserve benefits, but each has different payback obligations and implications for eligibility, funding sources, and family planning strategies.
ABLE accounts provide tax‑advantaged savings for disability‑related expenses. They can complement an SNT by funding eligible costs without exceeding benefit limits. Coordinated use of an ABLE account and an SNT often yields broader financial flexibility for the beneficiary.
Funding typically involves transferring cash, investments, or property into the trust. Some assets require careful handling to comply with Medicaid rules and tax considerations. Our team guides families through secure, compliant funding methods tailored to their situation.
Planning duration varies with complexity, asset levels, and beneficiary needs. A typical process includes initial consultation, drafting, funding, and setup, followed by ongoing administration reviews. We strive to provide clear timelines and steady progress at every step.
Yes. We offer a comprehensive review of existing trusts to ensure alignment with current laws, funding sources, and beneficiary goals. Updates may be recommended to improve administration, efficiency, or benefit preservation.
To begin, contact our Williamston office to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, collect relevant information, and outline a plan tailored to your family’s needs and budget. From there, we guide you through drafting, funding, and executing the trust.
