Parents of a developmentally-disabled or otherwise incapacitated child bear a life-long burden of care. In fact, after their child turns 18, it gets harder. As an adult, the child is not permitted to continue participating in many programs that were available during school-age years. And adults with special needs encounter many challenges not faced as
An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a must-have savings tool for persons with special needs. It supplements but does not replace needed public benefits while often providing greater flexibility than available under a supplemental needs trust. The maximum amount that can be contributed each year to an ABLE account for a person
Every year, 16 million people in the United States care for family and friends with dementia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Caregivers of people with dementia provide care for longer durations than those who assist individuals with other conditions. They also have comparably higher risks for anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of
Depending on which statistics you believe, between 40 and 50 percent of first marriages will end in divorce or permanent separation, and second marriages fare even worse. While there is no such thing as a "typical" divorce, a divorcing couple that has a child with special needs faces an even more complicated series of
By Caleb Harty Once the all-important question of “How much money should I plan to leave my child?” has been answered, the next step in special needs financial planning is to determine what assets will be used and when they will be passed on. Typically, special needs trusts (SNTs) are not funded until the parents'
Yes, but be aware that a co-trustee can be held responsible for another co-trustee’s breach of a fiduciary duty. Thus, it is important that all co-trustees pay close attention to everything that is done in the administration of the trust. If there is any question or problem, it should be communicated to the other co-trustee
Parents who have a child with special needs in school will meet annually with the school district to develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program), a document that outlines the educational program and special services their child will receive. (Although the IEP team must meet annually, meetings can be scheduled any time at the request of
Mental disabilities take many forms, and not all of them affect a person with special needs' ability to make decisions. In fact, although many, if not most, people with either mental illness or some form of cognitive disability may require significant care, they can still carry out most day-to-day activities. In most cases, people with
