Michigan Special Needs Planning Attorneys
Legal Advice for Special Needs Planning in Macomb, Wayne and Oakland Counties
Raising a child with a physical or developmental disability inevitably comes with financial and medical challenges. Proactive planning can help you navigate and overcome obstacles many families face in the short- and long-term.
At the Michigan Law Center, PLLC, we help families implement comprehensive plans that work to protect the well-being and financial security of their special needs children. Our Michigan special needs planning lawyers understand what you are going through and have decades of experience in this area of the law. We want to help you protect your assets so that you can successfully secure necessary benefits and maintain lifelong care for your loved one. After evaluating your unique situation, we will walk you through all available estate planning options and craft a tailored strategy. The goal of our special needs lawyer is to provide your family with the practical benefits and peace of mind you need and deserve.
Contact a special needs lawyer near you at Michigan Law Center, PLLC to get started! Call 855-740-0606 or complete a form to set up a consultation.
MLC is definitely the place to go for your estate planning, elder & dependent care legal needs.Nicholas B.
Special Needs Trusts in Michigan
One of the most pivotal tools available to special needs planners is the “special needs trust.” When someone creates a trust, they establish an arrangement in which a trustee manages trust assets for one or more beneficiaries. Special needs trusts are specifically designed to support disabled children and adults, even after their parents pass away.
What Does a Special Needs Trust Do?
Special needs trusts can serve many functions, but one of their primary goals is to protect a person’s eligibility for means-tested government programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs offer monetary resources to individuals with disabilities, but recipients must adhere to strict income and asset limits, meaning they cannot make too much money or have too much property. This creates a catch-22, as a person with special needs cannot generally live on government assistance alone. A special needs trust solves this problem by holding income and other assets for the person with special needs. Assets held in a well-drafted trust are not counted for purposes of program eligibility.
Can I Work Without a Special Needs Lawyer?
You should not attempt to create a special needs trust without the help of an experienced legal professional. Each public benefits program has its own set of eligibility requirements, many of which are constantly changing. A special needs trust must be properly designed and implemented to allow for flexibility in a shifting legal environment and to avoid jeopardizing eligibility.
We can help your family establish a special needs trust that provides for your child without endangering their Medicaid or SSI benefits. Our team understands the importance of these instruments and will work to ensure your child’s trust is designed in a manner that provides for them now and in the years to come.
Our Michigan special needs planning attorneys will work to:
- Protect your child’s eligibility for government benefit programs
- Make the most of public and private resources available to you
- Incorporate your special needs child into your estate plan
- Identify residential options and financing sources
- Implement settlement planning strategies
- Guide you through family law disputes involving your special needs child, including a divorce
- Address the planning needs of other members of your family, including future guardians and/or conservators
Searching for special needs lawyers near you? Call (855) 740-0606 or contact us online to discuss your options with our Michigan special needs planning lawyers. Flexible payment options are available.
How We Can Help Your Child with Special Needs in Michigan
Special needs planning can quickly become overwhelming, but we can help facilitate the assistance you need now and in the future. We will listen to your family’s story, review your current financial circumstances, and ensure we understand your objectives. Our attorneys specializing in special needs trusts at the Michigan Law Center, PLLC will leverage our firm’s extensive relationships with agencies, professionals, and service providers to obtain the necessary financial resources and implement a strategic plan. We can continue to work with you throughout your child’s life and make adjustments as your circumstances evolve.
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