
Prepare For When Your Special Needs Child Turns 18
Turning 18 is a major milestone – especially for children with disabilities – because it triggers critical changes in legal rights and parental responsibilities.

Turning 18 is a major milestone – especially for children with disabilities – because it triggers critical changes in legal rights and parental responsibilities.

Siblings often play a long-term role in the care of a family member with special needs—early inclusion in estate planning builds confidence, clarity and family unity.

Managing a special needs trust requires more than good intentions—legal compliance, financial knowledge and long-term commitment often make a professional trustee the right choice.

A special needs trust protects assets, while preserving eligibility for government benefits. However, spending must comply with legal guidelines to avoid jeopardizing support.

If you have a family member with special needs, you might face emotional and physical issues. However, you also may be concerned about maximizing the financial support that your loved one requires.

If you have a child or grandchild with disabilities, one of your biggest worries is what will happen when you are no longer around to provide aid.

A special needs trust (SNT) can help you provide financial security to your child after you die without leaving them ineligible for the government benefits that they need to sustain care.

As government programs do not cover all expenditures related to these categories, ABLE accounts can be used to pay for shortfalls.