Special Needs Planning

Family members of those with special needs are deeply concerned about the long-term financial, physical and emotional health of their disabled loved ones.

Most of these caregivers do a terrific job caring for their loved ones, but they invariably need technical assistance from a knowledgeable special needs planning attorney.

• Almost 70% of caregivers are unaware of the importance of a special needs trust to protect their loved ones’ much-needed public assistance benefits (Metro. Life Ins. Co.)

Like with seniors applying for Medicaid MassHealth to pay for nursing home care who must spend down their own money to $2,000 before being eligible, disabled persons are generally not eligible for public assistance (including SSI and Medicaid MassHealth) until they spend down their assets to $2,000.

Once your disabled loved one’s personal funds exceed $2,000 (e.g. from inheritances, gifts, part-time jobs), they will be penalized or disqualified from public assistance benefits.

The only effective solution is to establish a special needs trust. This will allow unlimited assets to be gifted or left to your loved ones without rendering them ineligible for public assistance.

Morana Law in Andover provides an array of special needs planning services (including special and supplemental needs trusts) to help loving caregivers manage the critical decisions they face as they care for their loved ones (special needs children and adults) while planning for that day when they will no longer be here to continue that caregiving.

These services include:

• Special Needs Trusts
• Supplemental Needs Trusts
• Asset Protection Plans
• Estate Planning for disabled persons
• Guardianship & Conservatorship for disabled over 18 years old
• Health Care Proxy for those who may not need a Guardian
• Power of Attorney for those who may not need a Conservator
• Living Will/Advance Directive

Contact Us
Morana Law serves Merrimack Valley and the surrounding areas, including Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Haverhill, Dracut, Lawrence, Tewksbury, Billerica, North Reading, Wilmington, Reading, Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, North Chelmsford, Dunstable, Bedford, Burlington, Boxford and Georgetown.

Email us or call us at 978-409-1990 to schedule a consultation to talk with a special needs attorney more specifically about planning for your special needs loved one.