Spokane Special Needs Planning Attorney

Comprehensive Special Needs Planning Services in Spokane, Washington

When it comes to protecting a loved one with special needs, proper estate planning is essential. A Special Needs Trust allows an individual with disabilities to remain on income-based government benefits and inherit estate assets or receive a settlement that would otherwise disqualify them from needed benefits.

A Spokane Special Needs Planning Attorney can help you:

• Protect assets of a beneficiary who has a disability and requires income-based benefits, such as Medicaid;
• Hold a personal injury settlement or inheritance for a period of time so that it doesn’t disqualify a disabled beneficiary from receiving income-based benefits, such as Social Security Disability; or
• Receive assets from a senior with disabilities who is trying to qualify for Medicaid.

Although the special needs beneficiary cannot directly access funds in the Special Needs Trust, the funds may be used to pay personal care attendants,  medications, physical therapy, transportation, medical bills, and clothing.

If you have a loved one with special needs that you would like to plan for, contact the Spokane special needs planning attorneys at Evergreen Elder Law today for a free consultation.

Protecting a loved one with a special needs trust can ensure there is no lapse in government benefits. We offer your loved one protection, so they can still receive benefits from the government. The special needs planning attorneys at Evergreen Elder Law understand how to ensure you receive your government benefits and still receive benefits from a personal injury, settlement, or inheritance. Contact our Spokane office today for a free consultation.

The Most Common Reasons People Create a Special Needs Trust:

• To protect assets that belong to a beneficiary with a disability who needs benefits (such as Medicaid).
• To hold assets such as a personal injury settlement or inheritance awarded to a disabled person already receiving benefits (such as social security disability or Supplemental Security Insurance)
• To receive assets from an elderly disabled person who is trying to qualify for Medicaid themselves.

The main purpose of a Special Needs Trust is to ensure there is no lapse or reduction in benefits and to avoid a penalty period being imposed for benefits because of an improper transfer of funds. Working with a special needs planning attorney will help you to ensure your loved ones are taken care of in the best way possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Planning

Can A Special Needs Person Directly Access the Trust?

The special needs beneficiary cannot directly access the Special Needs Trust funds. The funds can be used to pay vendors directly for services such as personal care attendants, medication, physical therapy, vehicles, transportation, travel, clothing, education, medical or dental bills. This type of trust is an excellent tool to increase a person’s quality of life.

What Expenses Can’t a Special Needs Trust Pay For?

The special needs trust cannot pay for expenses associated with food or shelter including:

• Groceries
• Utility Bills
• Homeowner or renter insurance
• Property Taxes
• Rent of Mortgage
• Eating out

Consult with a Special Needs Planning Attorney at Evergreen Elder Law and we will help you stay eligible for government benefits.

Do I Need an Attorney To Set Up an SNT in Spokane?

SNTs must be properly drafted in order to protect a beneficiary’s right to receive means-tested public benefits. To best protect the government benefits for which an individual with disabilities may be eligible, it is important to discuss which type of SNT should be used in a specific situation with an attorney who is proficient in special needs planning.

Further Questions About Special Needs Planning In Eastern Washington?

With a task as complex as estate planning, sometimes getting started is the hardest part. We know it can be overwhelming, but we encourage you to take the first step to ensure your child’s critical public benefits are maintained in the future. We offer free consultations online, over the phone, or in our convenient office located in Spokane.

If you have more questions but about Special Needs Planning but aren’t quite ready for a consultation, you can also choose to sign up for a recording of our recent Special Needs planning webinar. To learn more, please visit our ‘Free Webinar Recordings’ page.

Contact a Spokane Special Needs Planning Lawyer Today

If you are receiving any government benefits and anticipate an inheritance call Evergreen Elder Law to obtain help setting up a Special Needs Trust. We help people keep government benefits and still receive an inheritance or settlement. We offer a free one-hour consultation to discuss your options.