Estate Planning

A recent New York case highlights the importance of planning in advance for a child with special needs, as well as of choosing the proper advocate for your child.

Most parents of children with special needs are well-versed when it comes to their child's government benefits. But how does the parent's estate plan affect their child's benefits and how can problems be avoided? ...

Special needs trusts (SNTs) can play an important role in helping families plan for children with special needs. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to speak with your attorney about establishing an SNT.

Beneficiaries of a special needs trust can still qualify for federal housing assistance programs like Section 8, but careful planning is required to avoid having benefits reduced or eliminated.

The trustee of a special needs trust (SNT) has all of the duties of any trustee, but what are the added responsibilities due to the special needs of the beneficiary? How do I choose the right trustee? ...

Parents of children with special needs often want to direct required distributions from IRAs following their deaths into a special needs trust (SNT) for the child. But if the trust is not set up properly, the income tax consequences can...

What expenses can't be paid by a special needs trust?...

Parents of children with special needs must ensure that medical and financial decisions will continue to be made in their child's best interest once they reach age 18 -- the age of legal capacity. You have options.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently ruled that when a person dies, his or her IRA may be transferred to a child's SNT free of estate or gift taxes, and that required minimum distributions from that IRA to the SNT...