For an Special Needs Trusts
Our knowledge and experience enables us to handle the many complicated matters that people who are disabled face preserving funds for income support and health needs.
Special Needs Trusts can make all the difference to preserve assets for a disabled young adult or a divorced person who is receiving both alimony and public benefits. We will petition the court, write the Trust, advise the trustee, and provide all necessary advice and guidance.
We are also available for
guardianship,
SSI applications,
Medicaid applications,
and estate & trust planning
for the parents of disabled individuals.
To make an appointment or speak to an attorney,
call 732-382-6070 or contact us online.
When a child with serious and permanent disabilities reaches age 18 and is unable to be gainfully employed, it is frequently necessary to apply for government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and accompanying Medicaid benefits to provide some income support and health care. Access to programs of the Division of Developmental disabilities, section 8 HUD housing and others depends in part on financial eligibility as well. Special Needs Trusts can play a crucial role in public benefits planning for disabled children.
When an individual under 65 has been seriously injured and requires substantial health care and nursing home care services that are being paid for by Medicaid, and later receives a personal injury award or settlement, Special Needs Trusts can play a crucial role in preserving the funds for supplemental needs for the rest of the life of the injured person while preserving eligibility for means-tested benefits.
When a married person who has disabilities gets divorced, and will be dependent upon governmental benefits to pay for assisted living, Section 8 housing or other services, Special Needs Trusts can play a crucial role in preserving alimony or equitable distribution as a supplemental fund while preserving eligibility for means-tested benefits.
Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) are Trusts that are established with the assets of a disabled individual, in which the assets are transferred to a trust for sole benefit of the individual. An independent person is named the trustee who manages the fund and has fiduciary responsibilities to the beneficiary. Federal law and state regulations specify the requirements for such a trust.
As long as the individual is under age 65, his/her assets can be transferred to the trust without disqualifying him or her from means-tested benefits. The Trust must be created by a parent, a grandparent or a court. The assets that are held by the Trust are not countable to the individual and so, do not disqualify the individual from means-tested programs.
The Elder Law Attorneys at Fink Rosner Ershow-Levenberg will petition the court, write the Trust, advise the trustee, and provide advice and guidance in the use of Special Needs Trusts as well as related public benefits planning.
Call for an appointment 732-382-6070