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If you have a disabled loved one, you might understandably worry about how best to protect them financially. But how do you make sure your loved one is financially secure when you’re gone? And how do you maintain their essential government support, even if they benefit from your estate?
A special needs attorney in California can help guide you through this sensitive situation. In the meantime, we’ll explore the ins and outs of a specific trust that could be your ideal solution.
A California special needs trust (SNT) allows disabled beneficiaries to continue receiving assistance from government programs like Medi-Cal. SNTs are also sometimes known as supplemental needs trusts.
It would have full effect when Medi-Cal restores the asset limit policy that California lawmakers eliminated several years ago. Such a trust shields assets from virtually all potential scrutiny and ensures the person for whom the trust is established remains eligible for benefits.
Historically, public assistance programs like Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income were strictly reserved for those with low income and few assets.
Medi-Cal’s asset limit will be reinstituted in January of 2026, while income restrictions remain in place. SSI has restrictions on both: An individual receiving benefits from this federal program can hold no more than $2,000 in cash and liquid assets. (Primary residences and vehicles, furniture, clothing, and personal care items – groceries and other necessities – are exempt.)
SNTs let your loved one receive the public support they are entitled to without sacrificing any of their legal rights to your estate. They can also help disabled beneficiaries secure access to other resources not provided by the government, such as:
SNTs benefit your loved one while giving you peace of mind. You can rest assured knowing that you’re doing all you can to secure their comfort.
There are various types of SNTs in California. No two special needs trusts for disabled adults are the same.
California affords you several options for creating SNTs. For example, you might create a first-party trust funded by your loved one’s own assets. A third-party trust is more common, however. It’s typically funded by another family member, such as a grandparent.
Choosing a structure and deciding how to fund the trust can be complicated. Our special needs trust attorneys can ensure you fully understand the choices available.
With a special needs trust, California-based disabled citizens can enjoy a more comfortable, higher quality of life. But understanding the intricacies of trust law, public benefits, and specialized medical care isn’t easy for most people. Without knowing all the ins and outs, you could potentially miss something that might cost you dearly.
Enlisting the aid of a reliable special needs trust lawyer will keep you from missing any fine print. Moreover, the right attorney within this specialty will treat you and your loved one with respect and compassion.
If you’ve been wondering, “Is there a reliable special needs trust lawyer near me?” in the greater Los Angeles area, your search can end with the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo.
You deserve to know that your loved ones are properly cared for, and that’s where we can help. SNTs require careful management, but our special needs estate planning attorneys have the right experience and knowledge for your situation. They’ll help you establish the right trust to suit your family’s unique needs.
Attorney Alice A. Salvo and her team have spent decades helping individuals deal with insurers, government agencies, and all the paperwork associated with these organizations. Our special needs trust attorneys are here to make the process less stressful for you in every way possible.
Discover how to protect your loved one’s legal rights today. Call our special needs trust lawyers or send us a note to schedule a meeting.