Special Needs Planning, Simon J. Stapleton

Stapleton Elder Law offers special needs planning for an individual with an intellectual, developmental or physical disability. 

A Special Needs Trust is developed to manage resources for a person with a disability (intellectual or developmental), while maintaining the individual's eligibility for public assistance benefits. The family leaves whatever resources it deems appropriate to the trust and the trust is managed by a trustee on behalf of the person with the disability. The Special Needs Trust can pay for needs that go beyond food, shelter and clothing and the medical support services of Medicaid.  The Special Needs Trust would be set up to supplement, not replace public benefits.



Attorneys knowledgeable about Special Needs Trusts and current government benefit programs can guide you on whether to begin the trust now or wait.