Are you caring for a loved one with special needs and concerned about their financial future? Provide for them without compromising their eligibility for government benefits through special needs planning and trusts.
A STABLE/ABLE account or Adult Guardianship may be an ideal solution for providing financial support for a loved one with special needs, even after you’re gone. An experienced estate planning attorney can assist you in creating a special needs trust, which can be especially useful in situations where a large cash settlement would otherwise disqualify someone from receiving government benefits. Contact Elder Law Lawyers today to book a consultation and explore your options.
Create a Special Needs Trust in Lexington & Northern Kentucky
Trusts are a way to secure your financial future and prevent any potential risks to your government benefits. By placing money or property in a special needs trust, you can ensure that your government benefits remain intact while still being able to receive financial assistance from other sources.
Asset Limits & Assets in the Trust
If you or a family member relies on government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is important to protect those benefits. Additional income, including an inheritance, can impact your eligibility if not appropriately managed. Setting up a special needs trust can help safeguard government benefits while still allowing an individual to receive other funds, such as bequeathments or money awarded from a lawsuit settlement.
With our special needs trust and administration services, we offer personalized and compassionate support to families facing the challenges of caring for individuals with disabilities. Our team will work closely with you to understand your loved one’s needs, goals, and aspirations and create a comprehensive plan that safeguards their financial future. Contact us today to reserve your consultation.
Your Special Needs Trusts FAQs
Find out more information on our page dedicated to STABLE/ABLE accounts.
While government programs are designed to pay for basic needs, special needs trusts pay for extra comforts, supports, and luxuries. In fact, if money from the trust is used for food or shelter, it can affect a recipient’s eligibility for public assistance funds.
Some of the things a special needs fund can pay for include:
- Accessibility equipment like wheelchairs or specialty transportation
- Medical services and dental work, especially therapy and rehab
- Education and professional training
- Home or living space furnishings
- Vacations, recreation, and entertainment
- A companion
- Insurance, legal, guardianship, and burial expenses
Special needs trusts act as extra support, not a full replacement, for the help provided by government programs such as Medicaid or SSI. Money kept in a special needs trust won’t affect Medicaid eligibility as long as it’s not used for things like food and housing. This trust is meant to cover financial needs that government aid doesn’t fully meet.
The types of things that a special needs trust should not pay for include:
- Food, groceries, or restaurant meals. Some meals out can be given as an occasional gift.
- Housing payments such as rent, mortgage, property taxes, or HOA dues.
- Utilities, including electricity, gas, water, and utility hookup charges.
For a more detailed and personalized look at your finances, including the potential benefits of giving up a small amount of SSI, contact Elder Law Lawyers to arrange a consultation.
Standard wills and trusts secure our assets and protect our estates to plan our legacy. But for those who have a dependent with special needs, preparing a standard will could unintentionally jeopardize their ongoing benefits. Don’t let your estate planning needs disrupt the benefits of your special needs dependent.
Working with a special needs trust attorney at Elder Law Lawyers will ensure your dependent’s existing benefits will be preserved, and there will be no surprises. Contact us today to reserve your consultation.
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Schedule a Consultation
Don’t fear for your loved one’s future—take a proactive stance. A consultation with Elder Law Lawyers gives you the confidence to make decisions that lead to financial security. We can work with a variety of budgets to find the right solutions for your family’s needs.
Whether you are looking to establish a special needs trust to protect assets or need assistance with trust administration and management, our experts will guide you through every step of the process. Let us help you secure a brighter and more secure future for your loved one with our specialized special needs trust and administration services.