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Bridging the Gap

Stability, Integrity, Trust

Special Needs Planning & Disability Planning for Those With Special Needs is Essential

Individuals affected by disability or special needs are uniquely vulnerable. The importance of sound planning for the future cannot be overstated.

Planning to Protect Your Loved One

Individuals affected by disability or special needs are uniquely vulnerable.  The importance of sound planning for the future cannot be overstated.

In addition to the daily challenges of caring for their loved one’s needs, parents and other caregivers of special needs individuals must consider long-term financial and legal planning measures to preserve quality of life for their loved one.  They may wonder who will care for and make medical decisions for a loved one when they are no longer able to do so.  And they may be unaware that program benefits such as MassHealth or SSI could be jeopardized by an improperly structured inheritance.  

Adding to these challenges, parents also wonder how to treat their other children equitably while planning for their special needs child.

Asset Protection Planning
Solutions

Our Goal for Special Needs Planning and Disability Planning

Our goal at Estate Preservation Law Offices is to make the estate planning process as easy as possible by creating a properly-structured estate plan that will coordinate all of the legal, financial, and care concerns you may have for your loved one. In addition to traditional estate planning considerations, special needs and disability planning involves navigating a complicated set of Federal and state laws and regulations.  Our legal experts will help you navigate this landscape.

“Helping families and caregivers of people with special needs is important to me because I deal with special needs in my own family as well as daily with my clients. Educating and supporting these families is something that is important to me, and to our staff, both personally and professionally.”
Attorney Brendan J. King

Special Needs Planning & Disability Planning Working With You: Our Process

At EPLO, you will find expert advice given with care and compassion.  Our special needs and disability planning services include:

  • Drafting and administering special needs and supplemental needs trusts
  • Specialized estate plans for parents or other benefactors of disabled or special needs beneficiaries
  • Coordination of benefits applications
    Participation with clients’ other trusted advisors in the financial analysis of beneficiaries’ projected future needs and the related estate planning implications
  • Guardianships and conservatorships

The Role of Special Needs Trusts in Special Needs Planning

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) plays an important role special needs planning and in in preserving the financial security and independence of a person with special needs, and it assures that a child will be financially cared for when a parent, grandparent or other caregiver is no longer able to do so.

There are different types of SNTs, in addition to special accounts (known as ABLE accounts) that certain individuals may set up to shelter assets while preserving benefits.  Understanding the utility and interrelationship among these various planning strategies is a key component of special needs planning.

Special Needs and Disability Planning EPLO Worcester MA

Taking the First Step

Amidst the daily challenges and joys of caregiving, finding the energy, time and resources to address the legal and financial planning challenges can be overwhelming. Having been touched personally, we empathize; and we have the skills and experience to help. 

Our commitment is to turn a stressful undertaking into a manageable and satisfying endeavor for clients and their families.

Special Needs and Disability Planning  - Estate Preservation Law - Worcester MA
Special Needs and Disability Planning Estate Preservation Law Worcester MA

More about Special Needs Planning & Disability Planning from Our Blog

EPLO

Worcester Office

71 Elm Street
Suite 100
Worcester, MA 01609

Uxbridge Office

9 N Main Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569

Leominster Office

156 Hamilton Street
Leominster, MA 01453

Braintree Office

100 Grandview Road
Suite 405
Braintree, MA 02184

Cape Cod & Islands

776 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601