PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF
YOUR CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Presenter(s)
Helen Bass
Special Needs Advocate for Parents in Relationship with MetLife’s MetDESK
(Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids)
11835
West Olympic Blvd. #465
Day Phone: 310—479—3755
Email:into@snapinfo.org
Did
you know that there is a Federal Law which states that “If you leave a person
with special needs anything over $2,000, that person loses eligibility for all government
benefits?”
There
are legal ways to protect against this $2,090 limit and specific financial ways
to provide for a child’s lifetime care even if a family is not wealthy.
1.
Introduction
The purpose of this presentation is to educate both families and professionals
of the many-faceted legal and financial issues as they pertain to planning for
the future of a disabled person. This is otherwise known as Special Needs
Estate Planning.
2.
Issues to be Addressed
A. Legal Issues
Wills Vs. Trusts
Types of Trusts, including Special Needs Trusts
Letters of Intent
Guardianship Vs. Conservatorship
B. Financial Issues
• Appropriate Funding options
Amount of monies needed depending on the situations.
The financial companies to choose from.
3. Objectives (Learning Outcomes)
A. Learn how to provide for the future of your child with special needs without
jeopardizing government benefit eligibility.
B. Learn what the appropriate legal documents are, who should do them, and what
they will cost.
C. Learn what the appropriate funding vehicles are, how to find the best
companies to work with and know just how much money is needed.
Planning
for the future of your child is hard enough. If your child has a disability, it
is even more difficult. How will they be cared for after you’re gone? This
session discusses special needs estate planning, or “estate creation” for those
of us without any personal estate already. Our presenter is very experienced in
working with families and in helping them plan for the future of their children
with special needs. They know first hand the maze of legal and financial
information a parent must work through to feel confident that the future of
their disabled child is secure. If proper planning is not done, the child will
lose all eligibility for government benefits.