Special Needs Planning Attorney in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Special Needs Trusts & Wills for Adults with Disabilities
Special needs planning is a process that can help individuals with disabilities and their families prepare for future financial and medical needs. It is important to consider this process early in life, as the needs of individuals with disabilities tend to increase as they age. Special needs planning is often essential for individuals with disabilities because the rules for public benefits are often limited for those who are not employed.
The attorneys at Murfree, Goodman & Rosado, PLLC can help you create a special needs trust or will that can help provide for your future needs. Our attorneys have a combined 35 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families and will work with you to develop a plan that suits your needs.
Contact our office at (615) 895-7000 to schedule an appointment with a special needs attorney near you.
What Are the Benefits of a Special Needs Trust?
There are many benefits to establishing a special needs trust. A trust can help preserve the individual's eligibility for public benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. It can also help protect assets from being spent on unnecessary expenses, such as those from a nursing home. Additionally, a trust can help an individual with disabilities save for future needs, such as education or housing.
Some of the benefits of a special needs trust include:
- Preservation of public benefits
- Protection of assets
- Ability to save for future needs
Planning for the Future: Special Needs Trusts for Children
A special needs trust is a legal tool that allows parents or guardians to set aside funds for their child's care and well-being without jeopardizing their eligibility for government assistance programs.
Below are some key reasons to establish a special needs trust for your child:
- Preserving eligibility for government benefits: By placing assets in a special needs trust, your child can still qualify for important programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Ensuring quality of life: A special needs trust can provide funds for additional services and expenses that enhance your child's quality of life, such as medical treatments, therapies, education, housing, transportation, and recreational activities.
- Protecting assets: With a special needs trust, you can protect your child's assets from being depleted by medical expenses or other costs, ensuring that they have financial security throughout their lifetime.
- Peace of mind: By establishing a special needs trust, you can have peace of mind knowing that your child will be taken care of even when you are no longer able to provide for them.
Our experienced special needs planning attorneys in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at Murfree, Goodman & Rosado, PLLC, are backed by years of experience, and they are ready to walk you through the process of creating a tailor-made special needs trust for your child. We understand the unique challenges and considerations involved in special needs planning, and we are committed to assisting families in securing a bright and secure future for their loved ones with special needs.
During an initial consultation, a special needs trust attorney in Murfreesboro can explain the different types of trusts that may be available for your child, such as third-party and first-party trusts, and how each one interacts with public benefit programs. We can also talk through common life events that may affect your child’s plan, like receiving an inheritance, a personal injury settlement, or a change in living arrangements, so that you are better prepared to respond when those situations arise.
Can a Will Be Used to Create a Special Needs Trust?
A will may be used to create a special needs trust. However, a will is not the best way to create a trust for an individual with disabilities. A will must go through probate, which is a process in which a court oversees the distribution of an estate. This process can be costly, time-consuming, and can result in the trust being opened to public scrutiny. Additionally, the rules for probate are different for special needs trusts, which may result in the trust not being administered as intended.
It is best to use a revocable living trust to create a special needs trust. A revocable living trust helps you avoid probate and is easier to modify than a will. A revocable living trust can be changed or revoked at any time and does not need to go through the court system to be changed.
We often walk clients through how a revocable living trust can work alongside a pour-over will, beneficiary designations, and other estate planning tools to create a coordinated plan. By reviewing your assets and how they are titled, we can suggest practical steps to fund your trust over time and avoid common mistakes that could unintentionally disrupt eligibility for key disability-related benefits.
Creating a Comprehensive Special Needs Plan
Our special needs planning services go beyond just establishing special needs trusts and wills. We take a holistic approach to ensure all aspects of your loved one's future are considered and protected.
Some key components of a comprehensive special needs plan include:
- Financial Planning: We work with you to develop a customized financial plan that ensures your loved one's eligibility for government benefits while maximizing their available resources.
- Guardianship and Conservatorship: If necessary, we can assist you in establishing guardianship or conservatorship to protect your loved one's legal rights and make decisions on their behalf.
- Healthcare Advocacy: We help you navigate the complex healthcare system, ensuring your loved one receives the necessary medical care and support services.
- Transition Planning: As your loved one transitions into adulthood or experiences major life changes, we can provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.
- Government Benefits: Our attorneys are well-versed in the eligibility requirements and application process for government benefits such as Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
By working with our qualified special needs planning lawyers, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to protect your loved one's future. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us and schedule a consultation with a special needs planning attorney on our team -- we are ready to help you create a comprehensive special needs plan based on your family's unique needs.
Choosing the Right Special Needs Trust Attorney in Murfreesboro
Selecting the right attorney for special needs trust planning is an important decision because the choices you make now can affect your loved one’s long-term financial stability and eligibility for public benefits. You want a lawyer who understands how special needs trusts interact with programs such as SSI and Medicaid, while also taking time to learn about your family’s specific concerns, caregiving goals, and future plans. In Murfreesboro and across Rutherford County, many families look for an attorney who combines technical estate planning knowledge with a practical understanding of local legal procedures.
When meeting with a special needs trust attorney, it can help to ask how they approach issues such as trustee selection, preserving government benefits, and planning for future care needs as your loved one grows older. An attorney familiar with the Rutherford County Chancery and Circuit Courts may also be better prepared to guide families if guardianship, conservatorship, or probate-related issues later become part of the planning process. Clear communication is equally important, especially when discussing how your plan may need to adapt over time as laws, benefits programs, or family circumstances change.
For many families, working with a special needs trust lawyer whom Murfreesboro residents have relied on for years provides reassurance that ongoing guidance will be available when new questions arise. Our goal is to help families create plans that remain practical, flexible, and responsive over the long term while coordinating with financial advisors, caregivers, and other professionals when appropriate. By choosing counsel with experience in both special needs planning and the local community, you can move forward with greater confidence about your loved one’s future.
How Can Our Special Needs Trust Lawyers Help in Murfreesboro?
The attorneys at Murfree, Goodman & Rosado, PLLC can help you create a special needs trust or will that meets your needs. We can help you determine what type of trust is right for you and help you decide how to distribute your assets. We can also help you modify your trust as your needs change.
Contact our office at (615) 895-7000 to schedule an appointment with a special needs trust lawyer near you.
