Special Needs Planning Services & Experts

A special needs trust (SNT) is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities without disqualifying them from means-tested government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. The trust pays for quality-of-life expenses—therapies, recreation, education, personal care—that government programs don't cover. It's essential because direct inheritance can exceed asset limits and terminate critical benefits, leaving your loved one worse off financially. A properly structured SNT preserves eligibility while dramatically improving quality of life.

Comprehensive planning includes several layers: appointing successor guardians or conservators, funding a special needs trust with life insurance or estate assets, creating a Letter of Intent detailing daily routines and preferences, and naming professional or family trustees to manage funds. We also recommend involving siblings or trusted advocates early, providing education and documentation so they understand their roles. Many families establish care coordination agreements and residential plans years in advance to ensure seamless transitions.

Yes—direct inheritance can disqualify a beneficiary from SSI, Medicaid, and housing assistance if it exceeds asset limits (typically $2,000 for individuals). That's why proper estate planning is critical. We structure inheritances through special needs trusts, which are exempt from benefit calculations. Additionally, we review beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and other assets to ensure nothing passes directly. Proper planning preserves both the inheritance and the benefits, maximizing total resources available for care.

Costs vary widely based on level of care, but typically include housing (group homes, supported living, or in-home care), therapies (speech, occupational, physical), medical expenses beyond insurance, adaptive equipment, transportation, recreational programs, and case management. Many families also budget for quality-of-life enhancements like vacations, technology, or hobbies. We model these expenses over decades, adjusting for healthcare inflation (often 5-7% annually) and potential changes in care level as your loved one ages.

Absolutely. Special needs planning is not a one-time event—it requires ongoing review and adaptation. Benefit rules change, care needs evolve, family circumstances shift, and new opportunities arise. We recommend annual reviews to assess trust funding, benefit eligibility, guardian health, and care costs. We also monitor legislative changes affecting SSI, Medicaid, ABLE accounts, and tax law. Our long-term client relationships ensure your plan stays current and effective across decades, not just at the moment it's created.

We serve as the financial hub in a collaborative care network. While we design funding strategies, model long-term costs, and manage investments, we partner with estate attorneys for trust drafting and guardianship documents, care coordinators for service planning, and therapists for clinical needs. This team approach ensures legal, financial, and care planning align seamlessly. We attend family meetings, share documentation, and coordinate timelines so nothing is overlooked. Our role is to ensure the financial plan supports—and is supported by—the broader care ecosystem.

An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle for individuals with disabilities that became disabled before age 26. Funds grow tax-free and can be used for qualified disability expenses without affecting SSI or Medicaid eligibility (up to $100,000 for SSI). ABLE accounts are excellent for short-term savings and personal expenses, but have annual contribution limits (around $18,000). They complement, but don't replace, special needs trusts, which handle larger estates and long-term care funding. We help families determine the right mix.

Costs vary based on plan complexity, family size, estate value, and ongoing services. Initial planning typically involves attorney fees for trust drafting ($3,000–$8,000), financial planning fees for modeling and coordination, and potential care assessment costs. Ongoing management includes trustee fees (often 1–2% of trust assets annually if professional trustees are used) and periodic plan reviews. We provide transparent fee structures upfront and help families budget for both initial setup and lifelong administration, ensuring the plan is both comprehensive and sustainable.