Estate Planning · Special Needs Trust
Provide for them without putting their benefits at risk.
If your child or loved one gets SSI or Medicaid, leaving them money the wrong way can cut off those benefits. A special needs trust fixes that.
Why a plain inheritance can backfire
SSI and Medicaid are need-based. They have strict limits on how much a person can own. For SSI, that limit is $2,000.
So a $50,000 inheritance, left the normal way, can knock someone off the benefits they count on. Then that money gets spent down before help comes back.
How a special needs trust works
The trust owns the money, not your loved one.
So it doesn't count against their benefit limits.
A trustee you pick manages it.
They pay for things that make life better: therapy, travel, a phone, school, or a better wheelchair.
Benefits keep covering the basics.
SSI and Medicaid keep doing their job. The trust adds on top.
Ways to fund it
Your will or living trust
Leave their share to the special needs trust, not to them directly.
Life insurance
Name the trust as beneficiary. A policy can build a lasting fund for them, even if you don't have much saved.
Family gifts
Grandparents and relatives can leave money to the trust too. Tell them first so they don't name your loved one directly.
Common questions
Can a special needs trust pay for housing or food?+
It can, but paying for food or rent may lower SSI a little. A trustee should know the rules before paying those. Most other costs are safe.
What about an ABLE account?+
An ABLE account is another good tool, but it has yearly limits on what can go in. Many families use both.
Who should be the trustee?+
Someone careful with money who knows your loved one. Many families also name a backup.
Do I need one if my child is still young?+
Yes. If something happened to you tomorrow, the trust needs to already be in place for their share to go there.
Keep learning
Protect their future and their benefits.
A free call to talk about your loved one, what they get today, and what you want for them later.
Educational content only. Not financial, legal, or tax advice. All services are provided by licensed professionals. Coverage decisions depend on individual circumstances.