Special Needs Planning Lawyer in Illinois

It's a daunting task to put together an estate plan for yourself and maybe even a spouse. When you add children to it, it can become a little more complex. If one of those children has special needs, it's not only more complex but imperative—because you may be their only source of support socially, emotionally, and financially.

At The Law Office of Amy Handler Kasallis, we understand how delicate special needs planning can be. Parents worry, and rightfully so. We have solutions, though. Below is an overview of special needs planning. Contact us online or at (773) 370-1856 for a free initial consultation to learn more about it and how our legal services can help you and your special needs child. 

How an Estate Plan in Illinois Helps a Child with Special Needs

It's simple, an estate plan can help make sure your child has all the necessities they need. Of course, it all depends on how you put your estate plan together to ensure they have what they need and more. If planned correctly, you can help provide:

• Money management that benefits the child for their lifetime
• Protection for public benefits
• Funds set aside for the future in case public funding is disrupted or restricted

Your tailored-made estate plan can incorporate things like identifying care providers, appointing a guardian, creating a trust and designating a trusted trustee, and finding housing. 

• Guardianship or Guardianship Alternatives
• Special Needs Trusts
• Care providers
• Housing

Special Needs Trusts

Children with special needs are rarely able to earn a living on their own. Instead, they rely on their parents for financial security.

Parents can continue to provide that financial security by establishing a special needs trust. A special needs trust sets aside assets from the parents' estate to fund a trust that would be managed by a trustee of the parents' choice. The principal in that trust would create interest payments that can be used to cover the child's ongoing needs and care. Also, if drafted properly, the child may still qualify for public assistance––if desired and necessary.

When selecting the trustee for the trust, you want to consider seriously about who you want the trustee to be, especially if the trust is not set up as a spendthrift trust. If the trustee, like a family member, views the trust's assets as family assets, they may spend the money themselves, too. In lieu of a family member of a trust, you could also consider the following:

• A trust company
• A financial institution
• A nonprofit organization with experience or specific to special needs

You can also opt to have co-trustees where one trustee is a family member and the other is not. There are, of course, pros and cons to all of these options, so speaking to a special needs lawyer works in your favor.

Avoiding Mistakes in Illinois Estate Plans with Special Needs Children

When parents have the assets and want to leave them to their children, including a special needs child, there are a few mistakes often made. 

1. Disinheritance. Some parents make the mistake of thinking that they can disinherit their child so that they will qualify for public assistance. Public assistance, however, cannot cover all the necessities the child needs even though it provides great benefits, like vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, shared housing, etc. This decision is not recommended.
2. Sibling's promise. Parents think they can simply leave their estate to their other children with their other children promising to care for the special needs child. This also is a mistake. Promises come and go. Life happens. There are no assurances, and your special needs child can suffer because of a failure to properly plan.
3. Inheritance. Here, parents do leave an inheritance to the child, but if it meets a certain threshold, it will negatively impact the child's eligibility for public benefits. If your child will need both to live comfortably, then this is a mistake.
4. Taxes. Sometimes, parents fail to consider taxes. Taxes matter, especially when considering if the special needs trust should be revocable or irrevocable because the implications will vary accordingly.

In the end, it is always best to speak to an estate planning attorney to make sure you set up the estate in your special needs child's best interest.

Nominating a Legal Guardian to Look After your Child

One of the most important aspects of estate planning for parents of special needs children is choosing a guardian to look after their child once both parents have passed away. This can be done in the parents' last will and testament. 

• For underage children, this legal guardian would have many of the rights and responsibilities of the child's biological parents, allowing them to make some of the most important decisions in the child's life. Oftentimes, a close relative will be appointed because the child is familiar and trusts that person.
• For adult children with special needs, parents can nominate a guardian to make important decisions about their adult child's medical care and to manage the adult child's finances.

In either case, parents should choose someone who is trustworthy, reliable, and professional. 

Contact a Special Needs Planning Lawyer Today

You want what's best for your special needs child, and we at the Law Office of Amy Handler Kasallis understand that. We will get to know your unique situation, listen to your wants, and provide the best legal options for you so that your goals for your family are met. Contact us by filling out the online form or calling us directly at (773) 370-1856 to schedule a free initial consultation today.