Areas of Practice > Special Needs Law

Planning for the needs of a person with a disability can be frustrating and confusing. Though various benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare may be available, determining which benefit or benefits are best in a particular situation often leaves families feeling overwhelmed and distraught. It is the role of a special needs law attorney to help families through this public benefits maze.

By conducting a complete examination of an individual’s medical and financial situation, an attorney knowledgeable in the area of special needs planning can help family members design and implement a plan which will provide for the needs of their loved one. Such a plan might include the use of one or more Special Needs Trusts.

A Special Needs Trust is a legal tool which can allow people with disabilities to remain or become eligible for public benefits, while still having funds reserved to enhance their quality of life. Funds held in a Special Needs Trust can be used to finance items that are not covered by public benefits – such as travel, education and entertainment. A Special Needs Trust can be funded with money belonging to the individual with a disability, with money that is gifted to the trust by other family members, or the trust can be funded with funds that are left to it under a Last Will and Testament. However it is funded, a Special Needs Trust is an excellent planning option for caring for a person with a disability.