Tips for Parents of Special Needs Children from a Marietta Special Needs Attorney
October is Special Needs Planning Month!
Many parents of special needs children do a great job attending to their children's daily needs, but haven't given any thought to planning for the day when they will no longer be around or no longer able to care for their children. As a Marietta special needs attorney, I have noticed clients who take this approach and don't adequately plan for their children with special needs.
A lot of parents of these children haven't even bothered to write a will, let alone make any special provisions for the children to be cared for later on in life.
We found 5 tips that parents of special needs children can use as they consider planning strategies in a recent article that we thought were worth sharing.
- Write a letter of intent. This is not in place of a will, but lists everything that is needed for caring for the child. This includes names and contact information for all doctors, therapists, teachers or any other professionals they may see. This letter should also list the child's likes, dislikes, allergies and so forth. This can be included in a will but can stand alone until a will is written.
- Set up a special needs trust. An attorney that specializes in special needs trusts should be contacted. The trust will serve to protect any assets that will pass on to the child.
- Consider buying life insurance. It should provide enough to provide for the child after the parents are gone.
- Take the child's name off of any assets. This is so the child will not be disqualified for government benefits.
- Set up a guardianship for the adult child. Before the child is 18; the parents should file to be the adult child's legal guardians.
These tips can help parents provide for their special child's future while supporting their own peace of mind.
If you are the parent of a child with special needs, and you want to get started with putting in places plans for your child's future, call us at 770-425-6060 and schedule a Georgia Family Treasures Planning Session ($600 value) at no charge. Or for more information on planning for your child, go to GeorgiaSpecialNeedsLawyer.com and download my FREE guide, “Legal Planning For Special Needs Children: Special Needs Planning Guide” Read it and learn How to Put a Fortress of Protection Around Your Child Through All of Life's Transitions When Your Child is Disabled.
