When You Need a Special Needs Trust Attorney
You need a Special Needs Trust when a family member who is disabled or has other special needs including
- intellectual;
- mental; or
- physical needs.
Special Needs Trusts are essential because
- people with disabilities and special needs need additional care and protections; and
- very importantly, traditional wills or beneficiary arrangements may be a detriment to your loved one.
Therefore you must consider Special Needs in Estate Planning.
Special Needs Considerations in Estate Planning
If you have a family member or child who has special needs, there are two main concerns you’ll need to address when planning your Estate.
Your Beneficiary May Need Special Help
- If your beneficiary is someone who requires special care, you may need a living will or other legal instruments to protect him or her in case something happens to you and you are no longer able to provide support.
- It’s essential any Trustee you appoint in a Trust or other legal instrument is a Trusted individual who will look out for the best interest of your child or family member. This person will be in charge of your loved one’s care, can help your beneficiary make sound decisions and can help them take care of themselves.
- Lastly, your beneficiary may also need extra help managing their inheritance because merely handing over assets or property may be inadvisable. You may need a trusted individual, or group of individuals, to help your loved one make financial decisions. This way you’re assured your loved one can get clothing, education and any extra care they need
Your Beneficiary May be Getting Special Government Benefits
Losing government benefits is a serious concern. Here’s why
- A disabled person may get needs-based government benefits including Medi-Cal, SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income) or other benefits. In fact, your loved one may depend on these benefits for health care, income, and other needs.
- If you leave your Estate to a loved one, your family member may have their benefits cut off because of the size of your Estate. Having benefits cut off creates a devastating situation in which your assets are used up to pay for medical care and other expenses previously covered by government benefits.
- Even large Estates may soon be gone if it’s used to pay for housing and other essential services. Even worse, it may be difficult for your beneficiary to reapply for and resume their benefits after the Estate is gone.
Consulting with our Special Needs Trust Attorneys is imperative. Our attorneys can determine how to protect your loved one’s assets and government benefits.
You Won’t Find Better Special Needs Trusts Attorneys in Reading and Berks County
We
- have 40 years’ experience protecting people with Special Needs in Berks County communities around Reading, PA;
- have a reputation for being the most family-oriented law firm in Berks County and will treat your needs then same as we would for our own family;
- review your family member’s Special Needs and current government benefits;
- review your assets;
- take as much time as required to understand your wishes;
- determine the best legal devices to protect your beneficiary including
- Living Trust;
- Supplemental Needs Trust; or
- Special Needs Trust; and
- very important to you, explain everything in plain English, so you fully understand what will happen and making sure you walk away with total peace of mind.
Nothing weighs on your mind more than the having a loved one with Special Needs and the thought of not being there to care for them. But you don’t have to live that way. Contact Us Online or Call Us at 610-670-9000 today. Develop a plan. You’ll gain the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be adequately cared for when you’re gone.
We offer
- Convenient, Easy and Safe Free Parking;
- Easy Access Ramp; and
- Spacious, Well-Lit Offices