Special Needs Estate Planning Services

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a legal arrangement that allows you to set aside assets for a loved one with disabilities without disqualifying them from essential government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. The trust is managed by a trustee who uses funds to pay for supplemental care, therapies, education, and quality-of-life expenses not covered by government programs. This structure ensures your loved one receives financial support while preserving their eligibility for critical need-based assistance, making it a cornerstone of responsible special needs estate planning.

Ensuring continuity of care requires a multi-layered plan that includes a properly funded Special Needs Trust, clearly designated successor trustees, a detailed Letter of Intent outlining your loved one's routines and preferences, and coordination with care planners and family members. Sentinel Asset Management works with families to establish financial guardrails, long-term income strategies, and contingency plans that anticipate changing needs, medical advances, and potential care transitions. We also stress-test plans against longevity risk and inflation to ensure funds last throughout your loved one's lifetime, no matter what the future holds.

Without proper planning, yes—direct inheritance can disqualify your child from need-based programs like SSI and Medicaid, which often have strict asset limits. However, a well-structured Special Needs Trust allows you to leave assets for your child's benefit without triggering disqualification. The trust becomes the legal owner of the assets, and a trustee manages distributions for supplemental needs like housing modifications, recreation, or therapies. Sentinel coordinates with estate attorneys to ensure all beneficiary designations, wills, and account titling align with this strategy, so your child maintains benefits while gaining financial security.

A First-Party SNT is funded with the beneficiary's own assets (often from a settlement or inheritance received directly) and requires payback to Medicaid upon the beneficiary's death for benefits used during their lifetime. A Third-Party SNT is funded by someone else—typically parents or family members—and does not require Medicaid payback, allowing remaining assets to pass to other beneficiaries. Most families planning proactively use Third-Party SNTs to maximize benefit preservation and legacy flexibility. Sentinel helps determine which structure best fits your family's situation and long-term goals.

Costs vary based on the complexity of your estate, the types of trusts needed, and whether you require ongoing financial management or one-time legal drafting. Simple Third-Party Special Needs Trusts may range from $2,000 to $5,000 in legal fees, while comprehensive plans involving pooled trusts, guardianship arrangements, or multi-generational coordination can be significantly higher. Sentinel Asset Management offers personalized consultations to assess your needs and provide transparent guidance on expected costs, often working alongside estate attorneys who specialize in special needs planning to ensure you receive both legal precision and financial strategy.

Yes, you can name a trusted family member, close friend, or professional fiduciary as trustee. However, it's critical that the trustee understands the legal responsibilities, restrictions on distributions, and the importance of preserving government benefits. Many families choose to name a co-trustee arrangement pairing a family member (for personal knowledge of the beneficiary) with a professional trustee or financial institution (for expertise and accountability). Sentinel can help evaluate trustee options, provide ongoing support to family trustees, and ensure the trust is managed in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Special Needs Trusts and estate plans should be designed with flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances—whether medical advances, new therapies, changes in living arrangements, or shifts in government benefit rules. Sentinel Asset Management recommends regular plan reviews (every 3-5 years or after major life events) to ensure the trust structure, funding levels, and care coordination remain aligned with your loved one's evolving needs. We work with your legal team to amend trust documents when necessary and adjust financial strategies to ensure long-term security regardless of how circumstances change.

Begin with a comprehensive consultation where you'll discuss your family's unique situation, your loved one's current and future care needs, your financial goals, and any existing legal documents. Sentinel Asset Management will assess your estate structure, coordinate with specialized attorneys if needed, and develop a personalized plan that integrates trust strategies, tax efficiency, and benefit preservation. The process typically involves identifying funding sources, designating trustees, drafting or updating legal documents, and establishing a long-term monitoring plan. Schedule a consultation with our team to start building a plan that protects your loved one's future with clarity, compassion, and confidence.