There are countless ways in which children with special needs enrich their parents’ lives. Proper estate planning is a great way to help return the favor.

I have worked with numerous families who have a child who either ranks high on the autism spectrum or who has a physical disability that hinders his or her ability to live independently. While some of them require a guardian their whole lives, others are able to maintain a lot more autonomy. 



But what happens to these children when their parents or guardians can no longer lookout for them? This is the fundamental question an estate plan seeks to address.

While adult children without special needs become independent (at some point), this is not necessarily the case for someone with special needs. Therefore, many end up qualifying for a government benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.

And this is where things can get tricky.

You see, much like severance pay delays enrollment to Unemployment benefits, a lump sum inheritance can disqualify adult children with special needs from receiving public assistance until the lump sum runs out. The result? Beneficiaries end up exhausting their inheritance on basic health care and living costs that would have otherwise been covered by their government programs.

So how do you prevent this type of situation? Through proper estate planning, we can ensure that an adult child’s inheritance does not disqualify them from receiving public assistance benefits. Instead of being spent on needs that the government programs provide, the inheritance can serve as supplemental fund that can pay for things that the government does not provide. Things like courses, computers and travel, recreational activities – all the things that can enable adults with disabilities to live a much more enriching lives.

With a little foresight and planning, you’ll discover solutions that enhance lifestyles, not restrict them. Because whether your children have special needs or not, all children have the right to benefit from their inheritance.