Estate Planning

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, plus specific added responsibilities due to the special needs of the beneficiary. All trustees are responsible for: Appropriate investment of trust property Bookkeeping and accounting of...

Private retirement savings plans, like IRAs and 401(k)s, have become the main way for American families to save for retirement. But parents of children with special needs need to be vigilant when signing up for a retirement plan or company...

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.

Most parents of children with special needs are well versed when it comes to their child's government benefits. What many parents don't often think about is the effect that their own estate plan can have on their child's benefits.

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.

An inheritance from parents who fund their child's special needs trust by will rather than by revocable living trust is in the public record. Predators are particularly attracted to vulnerable beneficiaries, such as the young and those with limited self-protective...

Academy of Special Needs Planners co-founder Diedre Wachbrit's article "9 Costly Mistakes to Avoid in Planning for Your Special Needs Child" appears in the March 30, 2007, edition of the US Autism & Asperger Association's Weekly News.

When you are looking into setting up a special needs trust, there are a few important questions you need to ask, especially when it comes to picking a trustee.