Troy Special Needs Planning Attorneys
Serving in Troy, Oakland County, & Surrounding Areas
When you care for and support a child with special needs, you know that caregiving is a lifetime job. But whose lifetime? Most vulnerable dependents with disabilities will outlive their parents. Whether your child is 10, 21, or 41, the question “What will happen to my loved one when I am gone?” takes on profound meaning when you care for a child or adult with disabilities.
Estate and financial planning for a person with a disability is like no other type of planning – it is specialized. It ensures that your child with a disability will always have a friend, advocate and protector of their legal rights. Unless you put the right plan in place now, their governmental benefits can be altered, diminished or even destroyed after you pass. Our Troy special needs planning attorneys at BRMM can prevent this from happening – we can work with you to create a solid plan that provides for your loved one long after you are gone.
You Need More Than A Will
A traditional will is not enough to ensure your child with special needs will have a meaningful life after you are gone. When children with disabilities inherit money from their parents, their government benefits and medical coverage are cut off. Even the most generous inheritance will often run out before the end of the child’s life. Unfortunately this reality has led many parents to intentionally disinherit their child with special needs, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Perfect Solution: The Special Needs Trust
There is an alternative to the traditional will called a Special Needs Trust (SNT). The SNT keeps your assets available to your child and doesn’t disqualify him or her from other benefits. When it is properly drafted, an SNT will specify that the money is not to replace the benefits, but is to supplement them. We can help you prepare an SNT that will ensure that funding is available to enhance your child’s life.
The SNT may be used for:
- Extra medical care
- Personal items such as TVs, radios, computers, vacations
- Advocates and companions
- Anything but food and shelter.
There are strict, government-imposed rules on SNT plans, so consulting with an experienced attorney who understands SNTs and current benefit laws is vital. At BRMM we are exceptionally well-versed in special needs planning, understand SNTs and know how to navigate this system to write your perfect plan.
Understanding the Benefits of Special Needs Trusts
When planning for the future of a loved one with special needs, it's important to consider the benefits of a special needs trust. This type of trust allows you to set aside funds for the care and support of your loved one without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Benefits of a special needs trust include:
- Protection of government benefits
- Ability to provide for additional care and support
- Peace of mind for the future
- Flexibility in managing assets
- Ensuring a loved one's long-term financial security
Our team of Troy special needs planning attorneys can help you understand the benefits of a special needs trust and guide you through the process of setting one up to provide for your loved one's future needs.
We can help you ensure your loved one always has the care they need. Call (248) 213-9514 today for a free consultation.
An Important Piece: The Letter of Guidance
The Letter of Guidance is almost as important as the SNT. No one knows your child better than you, so this thorough document describes the child’s history, current status and your wishes, hopes and dreams for them. The typical Letter of Guidance addresses:
- Family history
- Medical history
- Housing
- Education
- Religion
- Rights and values
- Leisure and recreation
- Likes and dislikes
- Day programs/work
- Daily routine
- Daily living skills
When to Start Planning for Special Needs
The answer is simple – start now, when your health is good and you don’t need the plan. Call BRMM today to set up a free consultation to learn more about SNTs and Letters of Guidance, so you can have peace of mind that your loved one will have:
- A lifetime of supervision and care
- Government benefits
- Supplemental and special needs benefits
Let us help guide you through all of your special needs planning so you can provide a meaningful life for your cherished child long after you are gone.
We Stay Small By Choice To Offer The Most Tailored Service For Our Customers
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We are grateful for their guidance and would definitely recommend BRMM.
“This firm has taken care of the planning for my husband and I to protect our future heirs. We are grateful for their guidance and would definitely recommend BRMM.”
- T.H.
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I would recommend them 100 times over.
“They treat you like family and walked us through the entire Medicaid process for my mom, as well, as made sure our POA documents were in place. I couldn't be more grateful for their kindness, help, and guidance.”
- Van Zweden Famil
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Strong, ethical, principles.
“When you have confidence in your lawyer, such as I found with Andy Mayoras and other members within his law firm, I fully trusted that my position was going to be zealously represented in an upstanding and professional way. I have nothing but deep respect ”
- George L.
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The attorneys at BRMM exceeded all our needs and expectations during this trying time.
“Our family can not thank them both enough for their great work. We highly recommend their services for anyone's elderly care needs.”
- Kevin D.
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Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras P.C. was a Godsend.
“When I count what few blessings I am fortunate to have, Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras P.C. is one of them.”
- Former Client
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