It is important to carefully plan how to leave behind assets to benefit a child with special needs, so that their government benefits can be protected. It is also important to protect those assets against later claims after your death…
Individuals with learning disabilities, behavioral problems, or physical disabilities are classified as special needs. For example, individuals with autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, dyscalculia, dyslexia, deafness, blindness, and cystic fibrosis fall into the special needs category, as do cleft lips,…
As a federal income benefits program, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) helps disabled Americans pay for their basic needs. Generally, benefit recipients can’t work for a year or more due to a prolonged or disabling medical condition. To qualify, you…
Those who have loved ones with disabilities and wish to save money tax-free often create special needs trusts (SNTs) to supplement their loved one's unique needs and quality of life while continuing to qualify for public assistance. In 2014, the…
Estate planning presents unique challenges for families with special needs children. Planning your estate to use, enhance, and enrich assets for a special needs child while maintaining their enrollment in public benefits programs requires careful consideration. With the help of…
Enabling the Disabled In honor of October as Disability Awareness Month, let’s look at planning for 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…
Current medical and health care advancements have made it possible for dependents with special needs to live more useful lives than ever before. Many scientists regard the term special needs as a euphemism for disability. Yet, the difference between the…
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was signed into law in December of 2014. The purpose of the Act was to provide individuals and families the ability to finance disability needs tax-free. The savings vehicle provided by the…
The US Department of Education is providing details about how states, schools, and parents can best address student special education needs following the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Students with special needs are provided Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE),…
What is a Special Needs Trust? In general, a trust is created when property or assets are managed by a person or firm for another person’s benefit. The person or entity who manages the trust is known as the trustee…