Special Needs Trusts help families provide for a loved one without jeopardizing access to Medicaid, SSI, and other supports. They enable thoughtful distributions for living expenses, therapies, housing, and education while maintaining eligibility, reducing risk during transitions and safeguarding financial security for years to come.
Coordinated planning supports stable care, reduces risk of destabilizing decisions, and helps families project expenses, caregiver needs, and healthcare costs across decades.
Our team blends practical planning with attentive client service, focusing on individuals with disabilities and their families. We communicate clearly, set realistic timelines, and deliver reliable, compassionate guidance.
After signing, we guide funding options and set schedules for reviews to adapt to life changes and benefit program updates.
A Special Needs Trust is a vehicle that holds funds for a person with a disability without directly providing resources that could disqualify them from needs-based programs. It allows designated distributions for daily living costs, therapies, education, transportation, and enrichment while preserving eligibility for essential supports.Beneficiaries include family members, Medicaid recipients, or adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Families, caregivers, and trustees collaborate to ensure the trust supports quality of life now and in the future, while maintaining program eligibility and orderly, transparent administration.
An SNT is designed to supplement, not substitute, public benefits. Assets held in the trust do not count toward the beneficiary’s resources in most benefit programs, allowing funds to be used for approved needs without triggering ineligibility.Disbursement rules govern what the funds may cover, such as healthcare, therapy, recreation, and housing. Careful drafting ensures that distributions align with program rules, while safeguarding long-term eligibility.
A trustee can be a family member, a trusted friend, a bank, or a professional fiduciary. The role involves managing assets, monitoring investments, and ensuring distributions comply with the trust terms while maintaining records and communicating with the beneficiary.The trustee should have good financial judgment, reliability, and a clear plan for long-term administration to protect the beneficiary’s interests.
Costs vary by complexity, whether the trust is part of an overall estate plan, and ongoing administration. Initial setup may include legal drafting and document preparation, while ongoing costs cover trustee administration, annual reviews, and record-keeping.We provide transparent estimates and help families balance long-term protection with affordable, predictable expenses.
Funding sources include cash, real property, life insurance proceeds, and retirement assets. We review timing and tax considerations to maximize benefit protections and minimize disruption to eligibility, ensuring funds are available when needed for care and life enrichment.Strategic funding helps align the trust with other financial goals and resources.
When properly drafted, a Special Needs Trust protects eligibility for programs like Medicaid and SSI by keeping assets outside the beneficiary’s direct control. Incorrect design or funding can impact benefits, which is why careful drafting and review are essential.We ensure compliance with current program rules and state-specific guidance to minimize risk.
To begin, contact us for a consultation to discuss goals, assets, and family dynamics. We guide you through required documents, scheduling, and next steps, then move forward with drafting and signing a tailored plan that fits your situation.You will receive a clear roadmap with timelines and responsibilities.
