For families raising children with disabilities, having an effective plan in place is essential for providing them with the care and support they need throughout their lives.
Unfortunately, this process can be complex and difficult for those who are unfamiliar with it—especially if one or both parents have served in the military. From understanding specific state benefits to navigating government programs, there’s much to consider when creating a plan tailored to meet a child’s individual needs.
Luckily, an experienced special needs planning lawyer can help protect your child with disabilities. Read this guide to learn more about special needs planning for families with military service members.
Call an attorney from Stafford Law Firm to start planning.
What Is Special Needs Planning?
Special needs planning is important for families with children with disabilities. It helps ensure that their loved one’s future financial and medical care needs are met. Special needs planning includes setting up trusts, estate plans, insurance policies, power of attorney, and other legal documents so that appropriate services can be provided for them long-term.
The primary purpose of special needs planning is to provide financial security and quality of life for those affected by disability or severe trauma. It also ensures that family members will have adequate resources available to cover ongoing costs associated with providing essential support services in areas such as transportation and housing.
With this type of plan in place, military personnel can rest assured knowing their dependents are taken care of should something happen unexpectedly.
Special needs planning can be complicated for military families who move often due to their service. The guidelines and processes for estate planning and special needs planning change per state you live in, so creating a solid plan can be difficult for military families who have children with disabilities.
Thankfully, a special needs planning lawyer can help you navigate this process to ensure your child’s needs are met.
Benefits of Special Needs Planning for Military Families
While estate planning for a child with special needs is beneficial for any family facing disabilities, it can provide a unique set of advantages to military service members and their families.
These include:
- Access to additional resources
- Increased support from the government or other organizations
- Tax incentives
- Specialized guidance on financial matters
- Expedited application processes
This type of planning can help secure essential benefits that may not be available through traditional methods. Furthermore, with access to dedicated professionals who understand the complexities of military life, families can ensure they’re getting all the assistance they need.
Many states have adopted laws specifically tailored for veterans and their families, providing them with even more options when it comes to obtaining care. With these extra resources in place, military families will have peace of mind knowing their loved one’s future is secured.
Military members typically receive resources and benefits through military family aid programs. While these programs are great resources, they generally only provide basic necessities for estate planning.
What does this mean?
Well, the resources available to service members might not be enough to protect and plan for a child with special needs. Therefore, if you are a military service member with a child with disabilities, you may need the help of a special needs planning attorney.
Establishing a Special Needs Trust
Establishing a special needs trust can be critical for military families with disabled children who want to ensure their loved one’s long-term financial security. A special needs trust allows families to provide for their loved ones with disabilities while still preserving their eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
For military families, the establishment of a special needs trust can be particularly important due to the potential for deployment and other challenges that can arise from military life. A properly established special needs trust can provide peace of mind to military families by ensuring that their loved one with special needs will be provided for, even if the military family is separated due to deployment or other circumstances.
Contact Stafford Law Firm Today
Special needs planning for families with military service members is crucial in ensuring a secure future. It can be difficult to understand and navigate the different resources available, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right knowledge and support system, you can ensure that your family receives all of the financial assistance they need while protecting their assets at the same time.
No matter how complicated or intimidating this process may seem, having a plan in place will give your family peace of mind knowing that your child’s unique circumstances are taken into account. Having an experienced special needs planning lawyer on your side will ensure that your child with disabilities is taken care of.
Get in touch with Stafford Law Firm today to book your consultation.
