Special Needs Planning

All of us who are responsible for loved ones with special needs share a responsibility of caring for our special children during our lifetimes, and more importantly, when we are gone.

Our Partner, Jon Elfin, has first hand experience and can help your family.

Jon's son Jacob was born with a rare genetic condition called Trisomy 9. He has confronted many of the same challenges that you may have experienced and have taken the steps necessary when moving from the teen years into adulthood. Jon has been involved in the special needs community for many years, as a Special Olympics Basketball coach and in other capacities, helping the special needs community. Additionally, Jon is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners and has been a featured speaker to numerous special needs groups.

Some questions Jon will help you answer concerning your special needs dependent include:

What public benefits are available to your special child? SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medi-Cal? Have you structured assets so that they will not be disqualified for these programs?
Should you create a Special Needs Trust? If so, during life or at your death? Is a First Party or Third Party Special Needs Trust appropriate?
Who should you name as a Trustee? Are they qualified and willing to perform the duties required? Should you consider a Private Fiduciary or Corporate Trustee? Does a Trust Protector or Trust Advisory Committee make sense?
How should a Special Needs Trust be coordinated with your estate planning, and with other family members estates like grandparents?
Have you created a Letter of Intent?
Should you get Limited Conservatorship of the person, estate, or both?
Have you created enough wealth to ensure a happy and fulfilling life for your loved one? If not, what is your strategy to do so?
Should you open an ABLE account and do you know how to properly utilize it?

These issues must be addressed and coordinated with your own planning. It can feel overwhelming and complicated. Our process and expertise will help you develop a plan to understand your options, and just as importantly, take action.

Schedule a call with Jon to begin developing your plan.