If a member of your family has special needs, you may be concerned about covering the costs of their care. Our Royal Oak, MI special needs planning lawyer at Gudeman & Associates, P.C., will help you gain peace of mind by establishing a legal plan that ensures available resources are leveraged responsibly to maintain an excellent quality of life. Call now to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards securing the financial future of your loved one with special needs.
How a Special Needs Planning Lawyer Can Help You
Our special needs planning lawyer will review your family’s finances and the current and future care requirements of the individual with special needs. A Special Needs Plan is designed to be a fluid document that adjusts as the person gets older and the caregiver retires or ages. We suggest several expenses to consider, such as:
- Options to receive government assistance and benefits
- Where the special needs family will live
- Educational requirements
- Current and projected medical costs
- Cost of equipment to improve quality of life
- Assigning a future caregiver or power of attorney
Our Royal Oak special needs planning lawyer will also recommend creating an enforceable plan that addresses what will happen if the parents or guardian of the special needs person passes away or becomes unable to provide care. Common tools our firm leverages include establishing trusts or wills that dispense benefits over time to cover expenses like medication, education, rent, and other basic essentials. Additionally, you may consider selecting a trusted caregiver or facility for the family member to move to. Discussing these decisions with the rest of your loved ones will ensure everyone is informed and prepared in the event of an accident or unexpected illness that renders you incapacitated.
When to Hire a Special Needs Planning Lawyer
If you have a dependent with special needs, you should consult an attorney right away. You never know what the future holds, and your child or loved one with special needs won’t be able to provide or care for themselves if tragedy strikes. While it might be painful to think about, not all family members are prepared to take on the responsibility of a caregiver. Leaving it up to chance that someone will step in your place could result in a stressful situation for your loved one with special needs.
Furthermore, your financial plan should include the cost of care for the individual with special needs. When you retire, you need enough savings to provide for you and the people who rely on you. Our special needs planning lawyer can review your estate plan and ensure you are realistically budgeting for the future.
Our special needs planning lawyer is also knowledgeable of the financial resources available to help support your loved ones. As they get older, there are more opportunities to receive disability benefits and even assistance to cover expenses related to educational or residential facilities. Our goal is to create the best situation for the current and future lives of special needs individuals while ensuring their rights are protected.
Creating a special needs plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you have a family member with a disability or special needs, contact Gudeman & Associates P.C. today and set up a meeting with our Royal Oak special needs planning lawyer. We are knowledgeable about the law and have helped clients create a plan for the future that gives them confidence that their loved ones will be well cared for.
