Special Needs Trusts help families safeguard benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, while ensuring funds are available for education, healthcare, and daily living supports. A well-structured trust can reduce risk of improper disqualification, minimize probate complexity, and provide a clear plan for future caregivers and trustees.
One major benefit is smoother administration, with clearly defined roles and remedies if changes occur in family situations or benefit rules. This reduces confusion and supports consistent care for beneficiaries.
Our practice specializes in Estate Planning and Probate, with a focus on protecting vulnerable loved ones, minimizing risk, and ensuring transparent collaboration with clients through clear meetings and detailed reporting.
Post-signature follow-ups include document updates, beneficiary communications, and annual reviews with counsel. We monitor changes in laws, adjust plans, and ensure continued compliance for the family’s evolving needs.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for a beneficiary with disabilities, allowing for supplemental support without risking loss of benefits. It keeps government programs intact while providing for additional needs.\n\nWorking with a local attorney helps tailor the trust to family goals, ensure compliance, and manage ongoing administration so the beneficiary receives steady care.
Yes, a trustee is essential to manage assets and follow instructions. The trustee can be a family member, a trusted friend, or a financial institution.\n\nWe help select and prepare a durable plan to handle distributions, reporting, and contingencies so the arrangement remains effective over time.
A Special Needs Trust typically preserves eligibility for needs-based government programs while enabling supplemental funds for care. It interacts with Medicaid and SSI, so careful drafting is essential.\n\nOur team ensures the trust language coordinates with your public benefit goals and state rules to minimize risk of disqualification.
Most Special Needs Trusts are irrevocable, meaning the assets are no longer owned by the beneficiary. This structure protects benefits and provides dedicated management.\n\nRevocable variations exist in some cases, but they may compromise eligibility; we discuss implications to help you choose the best option for your family.
Key documents include birth or eligibility records, financial statements, information about benefits, and details about guardians or trustees. We guide you through what to gather and how to organize records for efficient drafting.\n\nA preliminary consultation helps identify additional documents specific to your situation.
The setup timeline varies with complexity, but most cases complete within several weeks to a couple of months from initial consult to funding.\n\nWe provide a clear schedule and keep you informed at every milestone to minimize surprises.
Costs depend on complexity, document quantity, and planning needs. We offer transparent pricing and explain what each fee covers, including drafting, reviews, and funding coordination.\n\nThere are no hidden charges, and we tailor the plan to fit your family’s budget and goals.
Yes. You can update the trust to reflect changing family circumstances, beneficiaries, or benefit rules. Updates may require amendments and new funding arrangements.\n\nOngoing reviews with counsel help keep the plan current and effective.
Moving to another state requires a review of new state laws and potential changes to benefits. We assess what can be ported, what needs modification, and how to maintain continuity.\n\nA local attorney can ensure a smooth transition while preserving your prior planning.
A Special Needs Trust is not the same as guardianship. A trust manages assets for a beneficiary, while guardianship involves decision-making authority over a person.\n\nWe help clients understand both options, determine which is appropriate, and coordinate them when needed.
