Just before the end of 2019, Congress passed and the President signed a spending bill that includes significant changes to retirement savings accounts. Known as the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, this legislation changes rules around retirement…
Funding a Special Needs Trust with Life Insurance: The Basics
Among the many challenges for families is making sure there will always be enough money to provide lifetime care for their special needs children. The costs are daunting: therapies, housing, medical care, and education, to name just a few. One…
Divorce, Child Support and the Special Needs Child
The unique needs of a disabled child should be taken into consideration when there is a divorce decree or and/or child support order. Lack of planning can result in current or future loss of important government benefits, including Supplemental Security…
The ABLE Act: Savings for People with Disabilities
Savings for People with Disabilities The long awaited ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act has now become law. Once implemented, the law will allow eligible people with disabilities to accumulate funds in a special savings account called an ABLE Account.…
Special Needs Trusts 101
What is a Special Needs Trust? A Special Needs Trust is a legally binding document which enables a beneficiary with a disability to have a good quality of life, yet still qualify for important government benefits. Why is a Special…
Documenting Key Information About Your Disabled Child
As parents, we forget that so much of the information about our children rests in our heads and not on paper. It is very important to document information about your disabled child. This can be done with a special needs…
5 Planning Pointers for Parents of Disabled Children
Buy enough life insurance. A parent is irreplaceable, but someone will have to fill in if the worst happens. It may be siblings or other relatives. In all likelihood, that family will have to pay for at least some services…
What are the Responsibilities of a Special Needs Trust Trustee?
The special needs trust trustee has all of the duties of any trustee, plus specific added responsibilities due to the special needs of the beneficiary. All trustees are responsible for: Appropriate investment of trust property Bookkeeping and accounting of trust…