Loud & Clear

Powers of Attorney and Your Child with Special Needs

Powers of attorney are critical when you have an older child with special needs. If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you likely have grown accustomed to making medical, educational, and legal decisions on behalf of your child as a minor. When your child turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, your legal authority ends as your child’s parent. However, when your adult child has special needs, they may still need significant assistance in making these types of decisions or may be unable to make them altogether. Whatever your family’s situation may be, a special needs attorney can assist you in determining whether powers of attorney are right for you and your family.

2024-02-16T15:28:16-05:00

Long-Term Care Planning for Children with Disabilities

When you are the parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities, planning for your child’s future starts early. One top consideration for your loved one as they age is planning for their long-term care. Read what to consider when embarking on the planning process.

2024-02-12T16:10:07-05:00

Divorce and Children with Special Needs

Of the many life challenges and circumstances that can potentially disrupt the life of a child with special needs, divorce is undoubtedly one of the most difficult situations to contend with. While the rate of divorce remains lower for couples with a child with special needs, the stress and added responsibilities on parents can lead [...]

2023-12-01T11:00:32-05:00Tags: |

Buying a House with a Third-Party Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Repayment

No Medicaid repayment is necessary upon the beneficiary’s death for third-party supplemental needs trusts. But what happens if the third-party trust purchases a home for the beneficiary, is it subject to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) one-third reduction rule? The following answers that question.

Turning 65: Changes to Consider for Individuals with Special Needs

When a family member approaches age 65, there are often significant changes to benefits and supports. In addition, there are opportunities that can offer future benefits to your loved one that need to be addressed, some before your loved one turns 65. What services may be changing? What do family members need to know? To help prepare for this transition, we have highlighted some of the top considerations.

2023-05-11T11:10:36-04:00Tags: , |

What to Know When Your Child With Disabilities Turns 22 

On the heels of a child with special needs’ biggest milestones becoming an adult at eighteen (18) comes the next and arguably more challenging milestone – life after turning twenty-two (22). What services end? What do parents and guardians need to know? To help prepare for this transition, we have highlighted some of the top considerations. 

Pursuing a Temporary 504 Plan 

Your school age child may benefit from the institution of a temporary 504 Plan to help them better succeed at school. But is that a possibility? If so, what does that process look like? Read more to help answer those and other questions.

2023-10-30T09:27:11-04:00Tags: , , |

Government Programs for Children With Special Needs

For parents of a child with special needs, the support and resources needed can feel overwhelming. The Special Needs Alliance is a national alliance of attorneys for special needs planning.While some resources vary by state, there are government programs that can help alleviate some of the most urgent issues. The following provides an overview of the most popular offerings.

2023-10-30T09:02:24-04:00

COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know

As more people are exposed to COVID-19, questions about testing availability and effectiveness are creating some confusion for individuals. The best way to prevent and slow the transmission of COVID-19 is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads and take the necessary precautions in the case of exposure and/or a positive test result.

2022-06-08T10:02:32-04:00

Assisted Housing Options for Adults With Special Needs

For many families, providing adequate housing for a child with special needs can be fairly straightforward, particularly if the child remains in the primary residence with one or both parents. As the child gets older, there are considerations that need to be dealt with to ensure stability as they enter into adulthood and their aging [...]

2023-08-14T10:50:36-04:00Tags: |