Special Needs Planning

Navigating The Complexities Of Special Needs To Protect Your Loved One

At Great Lakes Estate Planning, we understand the unique challenges and complexities of Special Needs Planning. Our dedicated approach ensures your loved one is protected and provided for, with custom strategies designed to enhance their quality of life while securing their financial future. We navigate the legal landscape with compassion and precision, offering peace of mind that your family member with special needs will have the support they require for a life of opportunity and dignity.

Our Specialities

  • Asset Solutions
  • Estate Planning
  • Medicaid Crisis Planning
  • & More

Ensuring A Secure Future

How To Leave Assets for Your Special Needs Child

Estate planning for a family with special needs children comes with a complex set of financial, social, and medical issues that some lawyers are ill-equipped to handle.

We at Great Lakes Center for Estate Planning PLC are dedicated to ensuring your child with special needs will be well taken care of when you are no longer able to serve as their primary caregiver.

Our team specializes in creating comprehensive special needs trusts and care plans that address every facet of your child's life, from daily living requirements and medical care to financial stability and personal fulfillment. We're committed to crafting a plan that not only meets their immediate needs but also paves the way for a thriving future.

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Special Needs Trusts

Crafting Tailored Special Needs Trusts

One “Catch-22” situation that typically arises in estate planning for those with special needs is how to leave enough money to pay for the massive amount of care and support a special needs loved one typically needs throughout their lifetime, while not disqualifying them from government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Social Security Income.

If you leave a large lump sum of money directly to a special needs child, immediately there are concerns about how that might impact governmental assistance and whether your child is capable of managing finances on their own.

Fortunately, we have an estate planning tool called a “special needs trust” designed to provide supplemental financial resources for the child with physical or developmental disabilities without affecting their eligibility for public healthcare and income assistance benefits.

This said, the rules for such trusts are quite complicated.

For instance, funds from a special needs trust cannot be distributed directly to the disabled beneficiary and must be disbursed to a third party who is responsible for providing the goods and services your special needs child will need to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Even once you have established a special needs trust, the care and attention we pay to your special needs child is not over. We know that your child’s financial and emotional requirements will change over time, sometimes dramatically. And the laws governing public benefits change over time.

Given this, it is vital to work with an experienced special needs attorney who can create a comprehensive special needs trust that is both properly structured and appropriate for your child’s specific situation.

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Special Needs Planning & Trusts

If you need estate planning for your child with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, or any other developmental or intellectual disability, we are here to help you.

We will help you develop a sustainable living plan for your child with special needs that will provide them with the finances they need to live a full life, while preserving their access to government benefits.

Scheduling a meeting with our attorney is a simple, stress-free process designed to start you on the path to peace of mind. We'll guide you through every step, ensuring that setting up the right plan for your child is not just a hope, but a reality you can easily achieve with our support.

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Committed to helping our clients simplify, protect & care for loved ones.

Our Practice Areas

  • Asset Protection Planning

    Asset Protection Planning safeguards your wealth against unforeseen threats. It's a strategic approach to secure assets from creditors, lawsuits, and financial uncertainties.

  • Customer Care Package

    Our Customer Care Package enhances Estate Planning with a complimentary year of personalized support, including secure storage, annual reviews, and updates for legal changes—your lifelong legal partnership.

  • Estate Planning

    Estate Planning ensures your legacy’s protection and peace of mind through comprehensive document preparation, future-proof strategies, and personalized legal guidance.

  • Medicaid Planning

    Medicaid Planning navigates healthcare costs, preserving assets while ensuring eligibility for benefits, offering strategic advice for long-term care preparation.

  • Planning For Your Children

    Planning for Your Children secures their future through tailored estate strategies, safeguarding assets and ensuring care in life’s unexpected moments.

  • Probate

    Probate manages and distributes a deceased’s estate, legally transferring assets to heirs, ensuring wishes are honored and legal requirements met.

  • Special Needs Planning

    Special Needs Planning creates secure futures for loved ones with disabilities, ensuring tailored care, financial protection, and quality of life enhancements.

  • Trust Administration

    Trust Administration efficiently manages and distributes estate assets according to the trust agreement, ensuring legal compliance and beneficiary satisfaction.

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