Estate Planning

Discussing end-of-life care with a loved one who has an intellectual or developmental disability is about honoring who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to live.

Legal documents such as advance health care directives, health care powers of attorney, and HIPAA authorizations allow people to maintain control over their care, even if they cannot advocate for themselves.

For blended families that include a child with special needs, financial and legal planning extends well beyond the usual parental concerns. But as with all family matters, proactive planning can help.

What is special needs planning, and what options can help people with disabilities? You can protect children or adults with disabilities and ensure they have everything they need to have a safe and happy life.

Special Needs 101

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs make up the majority of most people's savings. While these plans encourage saving by offering significant tax rewards, they were certainly not set up to help families with special needs.

Special Needs 101

If your child has special needs, a standard estate plan may not be adequate for your family. Here are several must-have documents.

Special Needs 101

Here are some of the questions you will need to consider in guiding your attorney to create a special needs trust.

Special Needs 101

In most cases, people with disabilities have the capacity to create their own estate planning documents, and in some cases it is crucial that they do so.

Special Needs 101

The PASS program allows SSI beneficiaries to use their non-SSI income to pay for job training or to start a business. If beneficiaries follow the complicated rules governing the program, the Social Security Administration will not count income used for...

Special Needs 101