Effective Estate Planning with Special Needs Trusts, and Guardianship June 26, 2019

Every adult should have an estate plan that includes a Will, a Power of Attorney, and a Medical Directive.  For parents of individuals with developmental disabilities, estate planning is more complicated because parents want to provide for their children while also ensuring that children maintain access to means tested government benefits like Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, and services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities.  Improper estate planning can jeopardize your children’s benefits.

This workshop will explain estate planing basics, including a detailed discussion of special needs trusts as well as what to consider when appointing executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries.  Attendees will walk away with a concrete understanding about how to provide for their children when they are gone.  The workshop will also explain the basics of guardianship and other surrogate decision-making options, with an aim towards attaining the maximum possible independence for your child while preserving vital protections for important decision-making.

The 91-minute presentation includes a Q&A at the end.