If you are the parent of someone with special needs, then you may be managing monetary, medical, and the social challenges. Our Troy, MI special needs planning lawyer can meet with you to learn more about your family’s circumstances and ensure proper care and financial support will be available to your loved one. At Gudeman & Associates, P.C., we can give you advice regarding your child’s eligibility for Medicaid, Social Security Income (SSI), and other government benefits. We can help you maximize how much private and public resources are available to you. For more information, contact our team today!
Special Needs Planning Lawyer Troy, MI
To accomplish the goals you envision for your loved one with special needs, we can work closely with you to understand your priorities. Our special needs planning attorney can assess your financial situation to figure out which benefits are useful for your particular case. We can use our legal knowledge to maximize your benefits and plan for the current and future needs for your child or relative. When someone of disability inherits assets or property, this may disqualify them from essential government programs, such as Medicaid or SSI. These assistance programs can serve an essential role, but they may not cover everything to maintain the person’s quality of life to the fullest. Reach out to our Troy special needs planning lawyer now for further guidance.
A special needs trust can distribute wealth to the disabled loved one without impacting their eligibility for existing or future benefits. As the assets are held within a trust, they are not considered part of their assets when undergoing a means test for government benefits. There are two main types of special needs trusts, including self-settled (funded from the disabled person’s property) and third-party (funded by another, usually a family member). A trust may fund care and services that improve the person’s quality of life. Generally, these trusts can supplement the care or services that are not offered by means tested programs. As our special needs planning attorney explains, supplemental services could be related to education, travel, entertainment, physical therapy, medical care, wheelchair-accessible van, personal caregivers, and more.
Why Experience Matters For Special Needs Planning
While the concept of a special needs trust may seem simple, the design and implementation is not. You can depend on our special needs planning attorney for help for the following reasons:
- We have been using our knowledge and experience of law to help clients for more than 50 years. It is our goal to help you feel confident about your family’s security and wellbeing.
- We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
- We offer no-obligation consultations so you can learn more about how we can help before we begin.
At Gudeman & Associates, P.C., we know that some families may need help with special needs planning so all of their family members are taken care of. You can rely on us to provide compassionate advice that protects the wellbeing of your special needs child or other relative. Please do not hesitate to contact our Troy special needs planning lawyer today for more information!
Special Needs Planning Services We Offer
Planning for the future of a loved one with special needs requires careful attention and long-term thinking. The right legal structure can help protect eligibility for important benefits, support financial security, and give you peace of mind about ongoing care. Our Troy special needs planning lawyer assists families with thoughtful strategies tailored to your unique circumstances. With the following services, we can help you create a plan that reflects your family’s goals, honors your loved one’s needs, and offers support across a lifetime.
Special Needs Trusts
A special needs trust can help protect benefit eligibility while setting aside funds for long-term support. Our team can assist in choosing the appropriate type of trust based on your situation, whether you are funding it yourself or using assets already belonging to the individual. We also explain how the trust works, how funds may be used, and what responsibilities trustees have. Our focus is on providing a reliable legal structure that allows your loved one to receive support without jeopardizing access to essential public programs.
Planning For Government Benefits
Public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income play a critical role in supporting many individuals with disabilities. We help you understand how planning decisions affect eligibility and guide you in structuring financial support in a way that complements available government programs. With personalized guidance from our special needs planning attorney, you will have clarity on how planning tools work together to build financial stability and maintain access to benefits.
Guardianship And Alternatives
Some individuals with special needs require assistance with decision-making when they reach adulthood. We work with you to determine whether guardianship is appropriate or whether less restrictive options may fit better. This may involve reviewing daily care needs, communication abilities, and financial responsibilities. Our goal is to help you put support in place that protects your loved one while still honoring their independence when possible.
Long-Term Care Planning
Long-term needs can evolve over time. We help you consider care options, funding sources, and legal tools that support your family’s long-term plans. This may involve coordinating trusts, beneficiary designations, and care directives to create a comprehensive and practical plan. Whether your family is planning early in a child’s life or addressing new needs in adulthood, our Troy estate planning lawyers will work to build a structure that supports ongoing care and financial oversight.
Education And Support Services Coordination
Planning sometimes involves coordinating school services, therapy programs, or community support resources. We assist you in identifying where legal planning connects with educational and service programs. With our help, you can better position your loved one for consistent support across different stages of life, including transitions into adulthood, vocational programs, and independent living opportunities when appropriate.
Estate Planning Integration
Special needs planning often intersects with broader estate planning. We help you integrate trusts, wills, and beneficiary designations so that your loved one remains protected long-term. This reduces the risk of unintended financial consequences, such as direct inheritance that may impact benefit eligibility. With a clear plan in place, you can feel confident that your wishes will be carried out and your loved one will have support in the future.
Make Plans With Confidence
Planning for a family member with special needs brings important decisions, but you do not have to handle them alone. At Gudeman & Associates, P.C., our Troy special needs planning lawyer is here to guide you through your options, answer your questions, and help you put a plan in place that supports your loved one for years to come. If you are ready to begin or want to review an existing plan, contact us today.
