Special Needs Planning
One veteran special needs attorney often says that if you've met one special needs client, you've met one special needs client.
Every situation is different, requiring unique planning techniques and innovative solutions to the challenges of navigating the maze of public benefits and the complicated rules that come with them.
Our goal is to reduce the stress on special needs families by putting documents and procedures in place to make it simpler to maintain public benefits and to be the support and advocate when things go wrong.
What is special needs planning?
Planning for the Future
Parents, caregivers and family members need to make plans to provide for the needs of their loved one in the event of their death or incapacity.
Typically, this involves putting in place trusts to manage finances, naming substitute guardians or making arrangements with future caregivers.
Our goal is to put the best plan in place for your situation and to create a supporting structure to keep it working.
Managing the Present
If a special needs adult requires assistance with daily activities or financial management, they may need to have a guardian appointed to act on their behalf. We can help put the guardianship in place and assist guardians in keeping up with court reporting requirements.
However, not everyone needs a guardian. Many situations can be managed with powers of attorney. A supported decision-making agreement can help facilitate the interaction between the individual and their agents and set guidelines for when the agents need to step in.
Fixing Past Problems
Sometimes families don't realize things aren't right until a government agency terminates benefits or an insurance company stops therapy.
We troubleshoot SSI and Medicaid denials, file appeals when necessary and help correct errors if necessary to have benefits reinstated.