Helping You Provide For Your Loved One With Special Needs
When a parent has a child with special needs, often the parent puts so much time and effort into caring for their child in the present that they put off making preparations for the future. However, parents of children with special needs can pass away at any time just like any other parent. Making plans for your child’s future is important and should not be put off.
Team Approach to Special Needs Planning
Making a plan for your child covers many areas. At a minimum, we believe you should work with a financial planner, a life care planner, and an attorney. You will need to decide what types of care your child needs, where to find that sort of care, and how much it will cost. Additionally, you will need to look at what public benefits your child may qualify for now or in the future. A life care planner can assist with these things. Your financial advisor can help you make a plan to pay for your child’s care in the future. If you don’t have a life care planner or a financial advisor, we can help you find one that can help you.
Attorney’s Role in Special Needs Planning
We help parents in two primary areas. Guardianship or other alternative means to enable you to help your child with decision making and Special Needs Trusts.
Guardianship
Once your child turns eighteen, the law considers him or her an adult. The law presumes an adult is competent and able to make decisions over his or her life unless it can be otherwise proven in court. If your child needs help preparing food, managing money, going to the doctor, or other basic life skills, you may need to establish a guardianship so you have the legal authority to make important decisions as your child becomes an adult. We can help with that. Read more about Guardianships for Young Adults With Special Needs here.
Special Needs Trusts
A Special Needs Trust, also known as a Supplemental Needs Trust, is another legal instrument that can benefit a person with special needs. As a disabled adult, your child may rely upon public assistance and have to meet strict eligibility requirements. A Supplemental Needs Trust allows you to set aside money for your loved one without compromising their eligibility for benefits. A Special Needs Trust can greatly enhance a person's life, giving them resources for entertainment, travel, and other things they enjoy.
Work With A Firm That Understands
We understand what you are going through because we have deep personal experience in this area in addition to our legal expertise. To discuss your legal needs with a knowledgeable, special needs planning attorney, please contact our law office today online or by telephone at 817-769-2750.