Special Needs Planning Attorney Serving Williamsport

As the parent or guardian of a loved one with special needs, thinking about and planning for their future can feel overwhelming. You want to do everything possible to ensure their long-term care and financial stability, but it can be challenging to understand your options and know where to begin.

Special needs planning helps families establish a secure foundation, providing peace of mind that their loved one will be cared for even when they can no longer provide direct support. By working with a knowledgeable special needs planning lawyer serving Williamsport, Pennsylvania, you can create a plan that not only safeguards your loved one’s access to vital government benefits but also protects them and meets their unique needs throughout their lifetime. Contact Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, to arrange an initial consultation with a compassionate and knowledgeable special needs planning attorney.

What Is Special Needs Planning?

Special needs planning involves creating a comprehensive legal and financial strategy to protect the future of individuals with physical or mental disabilities. This planning ensures your loved one receives the care they need while preserving their eligibility for essential government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Without proper planning, assets left to a person with special needs could unintentionally disqualify them from receiving these benefits.

A key component of special needs planning is establishing a special needs trust, which allows families to provide financial support without jeopardizing eligibility for public assistance. Other essential aspects include selecting a guardian or conservator to make decisions on your loved one’s behalf and ensuring appropriate health care directives are in place.

Through careful planning, you can preserve the quality of life of a loved one with special needs while protecting their legal rights and ensuring that their financial and medical needs are met both now and in the future.

What Can A Special Needs Planning Attorney Do For You?

A special needs planning lawyer plays a vital role in helping Williamsport families through the processes involved in securing a loved one’s future. By working closely with you, your lawyer can craft a customized plan that meets your special needs loved one’s, and your family’s unique needs. This includes establishing special needs trusts to protect assets, setting up guardianships or conservatorships, and ensuring all legal documents are in place, including powers of attorney and health care directives.

Additionally, your lawyer will guide you through the process of applying for and maintaining eligibility for government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. They can also help with creating PA ABLE accounts, which offer tax-free savings for disability-related expenses. With their legal knowledge and experience, a special needs planning lawyer will provide your family with peace of mind, knowing that your loved one will be financially secure and cared for.

Common Special Needs Planning Tools

When you work with a special needs planning attorney to create a plan for your loved one, your lawyer will rely on several key tools to ensure they receive the care and financial support they need while maintaining access to government benefits. These tools include:

Special Needs Trusts – There are two main types of special needs trusts: first-party and third-party trusts. A first-party trust holds assets belonging to the individual with special needs, while a third-party trust is created by their family members. Both allow assets to be used for the individual’s benefit without affecting their eligibility for public assistance programs like SSI or Medicaid.
PA ABLE Accounts – The Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience (PA ABLE) program offers a tax-advantaged way to save for disability-related expenses, such as health care, education, or housing. Funds in a PA ABLE account grow tax-free and do not impact government benefits, provided contributions stay within legal limits.
Powers of Attorney – This legal document designates a trusted person to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of your loved one with special needs.
Health Care Directives – These directives ensure that someone is appointed to make medical decisions in case your loved one is unable to do so themselves.

When Should You Start Special Needs Planning?

Starting special needs planning early is essential to ensure your loved one receives the long-term care and financial support they need throughout their life. By beginning the process sooner rather than later, you can address any legal, financial, and medical challenges that may arise as your family member’s needs change. Early planning also helps you preserve their eligibility for government programs like SSI and Medicaid, which are often critical to their quality of life. Without a proper plan in place, assets left to your loved one could jeopardize their access to these benefits, leading to unnecessary financial burdens.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the right people are in place to care for your family member’s needs. Starting early allows you to select and prepare trusted guardians or trustees who understand their role and are ready to take responsibility for your loved one’s long-term care. Planning ahead not only provides peace of mind but also safeguards your loved one’s future, giving them the best possible chance for a secure, supported life.

Reasons to Choose Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, for Special Needs Planning

Your choice of a special needs planning attorney has a significant impact on the quality of your plan and the security your loved one will benefit from going forward. Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, is a firm serving Williamsport families who wish to protect their loved ones with special needs by establishing plans that provide for their future medical, financial, and emotional needs. We have more than half a century of experience and bring our knowledge, resources, and passion to every client’s unique situation.

When you trust Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, to build your family’s special needs plan, you benefit from our commitment to forging long-term partnerships. You’ll always be our highest priority.

Contact Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, Today

When you’re responsible for a loved one with special needs, you likely have concerns about what will happen to them when you’re no longer here to provide the care and support they need. By partnering with a special needs planning attorney serving Williamsport, Pennsylvania, you can secure the peace of mind that comes with knowing there’s a plan in place to protect and care for your loved one’s health care and financial needs.

Contact the team at Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, today to discuss your family’s circumstances with an experienced and dedicated special needs planning lawyer and learn more about your legal rights and options for protecting your cherished family member. We offer in-home, office or virtual appointments.