by Verena Meiser

Special NeedsJanuary 29, 20190 comments

Planning for a Special Needs Child

Planning for a Special Needs Child

 Planning for special needs individual is complex.  Each case is specific to that person’s needs and abilities.  The families I work with know that what we try to resolve together goes beyond legal matters.  We take a team approach to our comprehensive planning and focus on everything from financial security, safe housing, quality caregiving, and strong advocates, to building and providing a support structure for their loved one that allows him or her to live with the greatest possible degree of independence.

Continuing eligibility for available services is key to any special needs plan.  Our planning addresses social security, medical assistance (Medicaid), home and community-based waivers, and services with the DDA—the Developmental Disability Administration.

We develop special needs trusts that provide the overarching plan for the entire life cycle of the special needs individual.  There are several types of special needs trust and we help families choose the right ones.

Modern special needs trusts often include provisions for a Caregiver and an optional Advisory Committee.  A Caregiver will be intimately familiar with the special needs individual’s behavior, social contacts, and health.  Caregivers can be a valuable source of information for health care professionals, as well as the trustee of a special needs trust.  An Advisory Committee consisting of professionals familiar with the trust beneficiary can advise the trustee on the beneficiary’s status and needs that require financial support from the trust.  Caregivers and Advisory Committees are of particular value in situations where the trustee does not live near the beneficiary.

Special needs planning is for the long haul.  We will work closely with you, be strategic and give you peace of mind.