Estate Planning

What's the Difference Between a Settlor and a Grantor?

My special needs trust refers to someone called a settlor but my friend's trust has a grantor. Are these roles different?...

Life Insurance: A Way to Fund SNT Without Financial Strain

Life insurance provides a unique opportunity for many families to guarantee the financial security of their loved ones with special needs without placing a significant financial strain on other family members. ...

Should an SSI Recipient Refuse an Inheritance?

When an SSI beneficiary finds out that they will receive an inheritance, their first reaction may be to refuse it. But this refusal, also known as a "disclaimer," might worsen things for the beneficiary.

Gifts to a Special Needs Trust Can Be Larger Than You May Think

Once you begin to understand how the gift tax system really works, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that most people can fund a special needs trust for a person with disabilities with a lot more than $14,000 a...

What to Do When Your Child Turns 18, Part II: Financial Support

The financial planning steps a family takes when their child turns 18 establish the foundation for the child's support and well-being for the rest of the child’s life. Therefore, it is essential that parents take extra care when planning for...

When Children With Disabilities Turn 18, Part I

When your child reaches adolescence, you may realize that radically different benefits will soon replace many services on which your child has long relied.