Category Archives: Special Needs Planning
The Basics of Guardianships (Part 2)
If you haven’t already read The Basics of Guardianships (Part 1), click here to do so. Once you understand how guardianships are intended to help a special needs adult, you must understand the key responsibilities a guardian plays within their legal role. Guardian duties vary depending on the protected person’s limitations and abilities. However,… Read More »
ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts
People who have loved ones with disabilities and need a way to save money tax-free often create a special needs trust (SNT) to supplement their loved one’s unique requirements and quality of life while continuing their eligibility for public assistance programs. In 2014, the ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience) became a second… Read More »
Special Needs Planning: Enabling the Disabled
In honor of October as Special Needs Awareness Month, let’s take a look at special needs planning, which helps disabled people to live their best lives. Family money can be carefully managed to fit the disability-benefit rules and still provide additional perks for the disabled person to enjoy. And, though the rules can be… Read More »
Estate Planning Tips for Parents of a Special Needs Child
Children with a wide variety of special needs (disabilities) can live more productive lives than ever before with today’s medicine and health care advancements. Many scientists regard the term “special needs” as a euphemism for disability. Yet, the difference between the two terms is primarily one of acceptance and preference as both terms describe the… Read More »
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
As it has for thirty years, early March marks the beginning of Brain Injury Awareness Month. Brain injury, often referred to as traumatic brain injury (TBI), can range from mild (commonly called a concussion) to severe and is caused by an impact to the head or the body or by a penetrating head injury…. Read More »
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month
In March of 1987, the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month began, calling upon all Americans to provide the opportunities and encouragement necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential. Since then, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) holds a campaign each March to communicate the importance of inclusion and story… Read More »
Third-Party Supplemental Needs Trust
If you want to provide for a loved one who is disabled or has special needs when you are no longer here, care must be taken to ensure that the inheritance you leave will help rather than harm your loved one. An inheritance received outright could negatively impact your loved one if he or… Read More »
3 Common Mistakes When Planning for a Disabled Family Member
There are 58 million Americans five years of age or older that are identified as special needs, making them the largest single minority in this country. The majority of federal and state benefits available to help persons with disabilities are needs-based, meaning income and assets are strictly limited and can often by misinterpreted, resulting in costly… Read More »
3 Practical Considerations When Your Special Needs Child Turns 18
Having a special needs child has many challenges. One of the toughest challenges faced by many parents is knowing how to provide the best care when your special needs child turns 18. There are many areas that need consideration when planning for the transition of a special needs child to adulthood. Let’s take a… Read More »
5 Care Options for Adults with Special Needs
There are numerous care options available for adults with special needs. The options available vary based on the level of care required, ranging from those adults with special needs who are able to be more independent, to those who need advanced medical care. When planning for- or selecting- care options for special needs adults,… Read More »