The moment you become a parent, the need to have an estate plan in place becomes apparent. If you are the aren’t of a child with special needs, the need for a well thought out and comprehensive estate plan is heightened. Care must be taken when providing for your child because making direct gifts can do more harm than good. As part of your special needs planning component within that estate plan, … [Read more...] about How to Use a Memorandum of Intent with Your Special Needs Trust

For the parents of a child with special needs, estate planning takes on a heightened importance. Simply including your child as a beneficiary in your estate plan will not suffice when your child has special needs because direct gifts could jeopardize eligibility for much-needed assistance programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The special needs planning attorneys at … [Read more...] about Tips for the Parents of a Child with Special Needs

If you are a resident of the State of Florida, you are well aware of the potential for bad weather. The majority of the year Floridians enjoy sunny skies and miles and miles of beautiful coastline. Occasionally, however, hurricane season brings destructive storms to the Sunshine State. If you, or someone you know, have special needs, need medical monitoring, and do not have someone to provide … [Read more...] about Florida Special Needs Evacuation Registry Could Save a Life

When Hurricane Andrew reached the state of Florida in 1992, it left a trail of destruction in its wake that was the costliest in our state’s history. It also highlighted many glaring weaknesses in the state’s disaster-response infrastructure – particularly when it comes to providing for individuals with special needs. Since that event, the state has undertaken a massive effort to correct those … [Read more...] about Florida Special Needs Shelter Beds in Short Supply: What You Need to Know

If you’re a parent of a disabled child or caring for someone with special needs, there is often little time to think about how your loved one will get by in the event that something happens to you. Still, that is something that must be considered if you want to ensure that he or she is properly cared for when you are gone. And while it is common for many people in your situation to just assume … [Read more...] about Why You Should Consider a Special Needs Trust for Your Disabled Loved One

If you are the parent of a child with special needs, a well drafted and comprehensive estate plan is particularly important to ensure that your child is protected and provided for, both now and in the future. Like all parents, you undoubtedly want to continue providing financial support to your child long after you are gone. Simply gifting assets to your child in your estate plan though, however … [Read more...] about What Is a Special Needs Trust?

One particularly important part of estate planning involves developing tools that are designed to help those with special needs, or those who have physical or cognitive disabilities. When family members of people with disabilities consider their loved one's future, they often worry that no one will be there to protect that person. For example, what will happen to  your child with special needs … [Read more...] about Basic Questions About Estate Planning – What is Special Needs Planning?