"Written with both compassion and expertise, this bestselling book provides families with a comprehensive guide to planning for the lifetime needs of a child with disabilities. It presents the Five Factors readers need to consider-family and support, emotional, financial, legal, and government benefits-and how to plan for these factors at every stage of a child's life. The second edition includes updates based on current law, fully revised chapters with a wealth of practical recommendations, and a ten-step, manageable planning process. Online resources include fillable timelines, worksheets, and other planning documents to help families create a secure, full, and happy life for and with their child"--

The purpose of special needs planning is to create the best possible life for an adult with a disability. This book provides comprehensive guidance on creating a life plan to transition a special needs child to independence or to ensure they are well cared for in the future. Beginning with a vision of a meaningful life for the child, Hal Wright explains how to form a practical plan to reach these goals, how to mentor personal empowerment and task skills, and how to create circles of support to sustain a life plan. He next looks at employment and residential options, and government programs available in the United States. Finally he talks the reader through important financial and legal considerations, including how to fund and manage a special needs trust. This book will be essential reading for all parents or guardians of a child with a cognitive, mental or physical impairment. It will also be of interest to attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, trust officers and other professionals looking to better serve the special needs community.

When your adult son or daughter is diagnosed with a serious mental illness, everything changes. Suddenly all your financial planning is thrown into turmoil as your focus turns from your needs to the immediate and long-term care of your child. The costs of diagnosis and treatments can derail your retirement plans unless you develop a financial strategy that provides for your child's future while safeguarding your own. Allen Giese has been where you are, and in this practical, compassionate handbook he offers invaluable advice, solutions, resources, and hope, including how to: - Invest efficiently - Apply for (and keep) government benefits - Build a systematic financial plan - Create ABLE accounts and special needs trusts - Take advantage of strategic life insurance - Avoid crucial mistakes - And more When mental illness strikes, you don't have to sacrifice your financial security. This book can be your lifeline to the best possible future for yourself and your children.

First comparative study of major special needs financial planning mechanisms, namely guardianship, enduring/lasting powers of attorney, and special needs trusts.

This simple, step-by-step comprehensive guide helps families and professionals plan for the future care, supervision, security and quality of life for a person with special needs.

Legal Planning for Special Needs is a must have resource for parents of children with disabilities and the professionals and advocates who assist them. In an easy-to-read, conversational style, the author covers the essential elements of SSI, guardianship, and estate planning when there is a child with a disability in the family. This book, which updates an earlier edition, covers the 2009 changes in the Massachusetts guardianship laws.

This is the first comprehensive estate-planning guide for those living with a chronic disease or disability. This book is targeted at those planning for the disbursement of their estates, no matter their size. Estate-planning is crucial for those living with a chronic disease or disability: individuals must express their preferences whether to receive long-term care at home rather than in a nursing home in the event that they become more disabled, and it is more important for one who has a chronic illness to name a power of attorney. Estate Planning for People with a Chronic Condition or Disability covers all of those topics plus: How to write your will How to determine how much life insurance your family needs How to figure out whether you need a living trust Learn about powers of attorney When to work with a lawyer, if you need to The book also includes downloadable sample forms for: Power of Attorney Living Will Designation of Proxy for Financial and Health Decisions

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LEGAL PLANNING for Massachusetts parents of children with special needs. In a relaxed conversational style, Attorney Barbara Jackins explains the essential elements of SSI, guardianship, public benefits, and estate planning when there is a family member with a disability. Families will find the information they need to:* Obtain SSI benefits for a child who is age 18 or older* Contribute to a child's financial support without reducing public benefits* Understand the court process for guardianship* Learn about the alternatives to guardianship* Secure a child's financial future with a special needs trust

A handbook of information for parents as they plan for their child's life after their own deaths. Easy to understand, describes step-by-step all of the elements that parents must consider to provide a happy and fulfilling life for their child with a disability--Cover.

Ever wondered what will happen to your Special Needs Child when you are gone? Has the thought of your Child's future kept you awake at night? Have you been fraught with worry thinking about your Child's employment and medical evaluations after you have passed away? If you have said yes to any of the questions above then this book "What will happen to my Special Needs Child when I am gone?" is for you. This book was born when the Author Susan Jules couldn't find a single resource that had all the answers at one place regarding her Child's future after she is no longer around. It took her 12 long months of long nights, social juggling, research and meetings, emails with attorneys, counselors, therapists, tax professionals, Social workers, financial advisors, and planners to get this book to fruition. This book answers all the questions regarding the child's care, development assessment, funding, treatments, employment, governmental benefits, estate planning, Life Insurance, Letter of Intent, Last Will and Testament, and more in a clear and concise manner. Take a look at a few of the testimonials from parents who have read this book. Forget Special Needs, this is a book which every family with a child should have and follow the instructions laid out, so that our children's lives are enriched long after we are gone, because at the end that is what you intend to accomplish - Amanda T from Trenton, Ohio. There are few books explaining the Path forward for Special Needs after the death of their parents and/or guardians. This book fills a real gap - Kimberly A from Fall River, Massachusetts. This book is extremely useful for families with neurotypical children and in families where there is a mixture of special needs and neuro-typical children. It is invaluable and provides solace and information - Michelle W from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. A book sorely needed in these challenging times. In fact, I was reminded of life's frailties during Covid Pandemic and I am glad this book helped me put my fears at ease - Tomer C from LA, California. Here's exactly what you get in the book "What will happen to my Special Needs Child when I am gone?" Information about Legalities surrounding the care for special needs children. Broaching the topic of mortality with your special needs child. Issues that arise after the death of a parent. How to draw up your last Will and testament. How to do your Estate planning. How to draft a Letter of intent/written care plan. How to open a Special needs trust. How to set up Life Insurance. How do you document emergency contacts, medical data/history, accounts, and passwords? What kind of Legal protection do you need to have in place? How to Review your child's guardianship? How do you secure continued growth and development of your child? And much more This information has been presented in Bite-Sized portions so that it is easy for you to take action and get all the tasks completed. And lastly, and most importantly what you will get is PEACE OF MIND that your Child's Future would be SECURE and that they will be taken care of, long after you are gone. And your child will continue enjoying the SAME lifestyle he or she is used to. About the Author Susan Jules is a single parent and a mother of a 16-year-old Special Needs Child. She is very passionate about Special Needs Education and is quite involved in the activities of her child's school. She lives with her son and her dog Ranger on a small far