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Special Needs Planning
Planning For The Future With Special Needs Lawyers
As a parent, one of your top priorities is making sure that your children are taken care of–even after you’re gone. If you have children with special needs, this can be an especially daunting task. You want to make sure that they will be able to live comfortably and have all their needs met, but you may not know where to start.
That’s where a special needs planning lawyer can help. A special needs planning lawyer can work with you to create an estate plan that takes your child’s unique needs into account. They can help you set up trusts, designate guardians, and make other arrangements to ensure that your child will be well-cared for even if something happens to you.
The Law Office of Polly Tatum has experienced special needs planning lawyers who have helped parents in Worcester create plans for their children’s future. They understand the unique challenges that come with raising a child with special needs and are dedicated to helping their clients find solutions that work for their families.
If you’re ready to get started on planning for your child’s future, contact the Law Office of Polly Tatum today. Our attorneys can help you understand your options and create a plan that will keep your mind at ease. Call us at (508) 795-1557(508) 795-1557 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced Worcester special needs planning lawyer.
What Is Special Needs Planning?
Special needs planning is the process of creating a plan for how your child with special needs will be cared for if something happens to you. This can include setting up trusts, designating guardians, and making other arrangements to ensure that your child’s needs will be taken care of. Leaving money to your child in a will is not enough – you need to take special care to ensure that the money will be used in a way that meets their unique needs.
If you’re thinking about special needs planning, it’s important to work with an experienced lawyer who understands the process and can help you find the right solution for your family. At the Law Office of Polly Tatum, our attorneys have extensive experience helping families in Worcester create special needs trusts and other estate planning documents. We can help you understand your options and make sure that your child’s future is secure.
It’s important to start planning for your child’s future as early as possible. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to make sure that everything is in place in case something happens to you. And if something does happen, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your child will be taken care of according to your wishes.
What Is Involved In The Special Needs Planning Process?
The first step is to understand what resources are available to your loved one with special needs. This includes understanding the benefits of things like a special needs trust, care plan, ABLE account, etc., as well as any private insurance or annuities that may be available. Once you have a clear picture of the resources available, you can start to create a plan for how those resources will be used to care for your loved one.
This may include making sure that there is enough money to cover medical expenses, providing for a comfortable living situation, and ensuring that there are funds available for things like education and recreation.
The next step is to understand the legal process involved in setting up a special needs trust or other types of care plans. This includes understanding how to name a trustee, how to fund the trust, and what types of assets can be placed into the trust. It is also important to understand the tax implications of setting up a trust, as well as any probate issues that may arise.
Once you have a clear understanding of the process and the legalities involved, you can start to put together a plan for your loved one’s future. With our attorney’s aid and careful planning, and a clear understanding of the process, we can make sure that your loved one’s future is secure. If you have any questions about setting up a special needs trust or other types of care plans, please contact our office today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you get started on creating a plan for your loved one’s future.
What Duties Do A Special Needs Planning Attorney Have?
A special needs planning attorney can help you understand the process of setting up a trust or other type of care plan for your loved one. They can also help you navigate the legalities involved in setting up a trust, as well as any tax implications. In addition, they can help you choose the right type of trust for your loved one’s needs and make sure that it is properly funded.
If you’re thinking about creating a special needs trust or care plan, it’s important to work with an experienced Worcester lawyer who understands the process and can help you find the right solution for your family. At the Law Office of Polly Tatum, our attorneys have extensive experience helping families in Worcester create special needs trusts and other estate planning documents.
Is Hiring A Special Needs Planning Lawyer Worth It?
A common question we get asked is whether it’s worth hiring a special needs planning lawyer. The answer to this question depends on each family’s circumstances. You should consider whether you have the time and resources to do the research necessary to create a comprehensive special needs trust or other estate planning documents on your own. If you don’t feel confident that you can do this, then it may be worth hiring a lawyer to help you.
The Law Office of Polly Tatum offers consultations, so you can meet with us and find out whether we can help you. To schedule a consultation, please call our office at (508) 795-1557(508) 795-1557 or contact us online today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Can An Estate Planning Lawyer Do For Me?
Estate planning lawyers can help you with a wide variety of legal matters, including wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration.
What Does An Elder Law Attorney Do?
An elder law attorney can help with any legal issues that come up with regard to yourself as you age or an older loved one. These issues can include things like planning how to pay for long-term care, making sure that long-term care is appropriate and that no abuse or neglect is occurring, and helping with things like trusts that can ensure our elderly loved ones are provided for.
Do I Need More Than Just A Will?
While a will can take care of some very basic aspects of your estate, like distribution of some assets and guardianship of minor children, it cannot do things like designate a trusted person to make medical or financial decisions for you if you are unable, make your wishes known as to your medical care at the end of life, or provide managed financial benefits for special needs family members, for example. A will is essential, but it is rarely enough to take care of things should you become incapacitated or die.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Attorney?
The cost of hiring an attorney depends on the type of case you have and the amount of work that is required. In most cases, we offer a consultation so that you can get an estimate of the cost of our services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
How Is Medicaid Different From Medicare?
Medicare is a government-funded insurance program that covers some or all of the costs of certain medical procedures for qualified participants (generally, the elderly or disabled). Medicare does not cover the costs of long-term care. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a government entitlement program that can cover the costs of long-term care for those who meet certain income and asset qualifications.
What If We Don’t Qualify For Medicaid?
Medicaid eligibility planning is best started long before anyone in your family needs long-term care, but even if that planning has not been done in advance, there are some ways to make eligibility more likely while still protecting the assets of a spouse who does not need long-term care, for example. Contact our office, even if you think you won’t qualify for Medicaid. We may have options to suggest.
Why Is An Estate Plan Important?
An estate plan is important because it allows you to control what happens to your property and assets after your death. Without an estate plan, the court will decide how your property is distributed, which may not be in accordance with your wishes. An estate plan can also help you avoid probate, which is a costly and time-consuming process.
Why Should I Hire The Law Office Of Polly Tatum?
The Law Office of Polly Tatum is an experienced team who is ready to help you. Our firm has a wide range of experience in estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, and divorce and elder mediation. An experienced law firm with a good track record can help you get the legal help you deserve.
How does Massachusetts estate planning address guardianship for minor children?
Parents can name a guardian for their minor children in their will. This designation becomes effective upon the parents’ death, subject to court approval. Massachusetts law outlines the process for appointing a guardian, a crucial task for ensuring that someone you trust will care for your children if you pass away.
Are there estate taxes in Massachusetts, and how can they affect my estate plan?
Massachusetts imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $1 million. The tax rate varies depending on the size of the estate. Proper estate planning, including the use of trusts and charitable donations, can help minimize estate taxes and preserve more of your wealth for your heirs.
What are health care directives and why are they necessary?
Health care directives, including living wills and healthcare proxies, are legal documents that communicate your medical care preferences if you become unable to make decisions yourself. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 201D, a health care proxy allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, aligning your medical treatment with your wishes.
Why is a power of attorney important in estate planning?
A power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Massachusetts law provides for durable power of attorney, which remains effective even if you become mentally incapacitated, ensuring that the person you designate will manage your affairs according to your wishes.
How does the probate process work in Massachusetts?
Probate, governed by the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (Chapter 190B) is the legal process of validating a will, settling debts, and distributing the deceased’s estate. The process can be simplified for smaller estates, but generally involves filing the will with the local probate court, notifying heirs and creditors, and distributing the estate according to the will or state law.
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