Special Needs

Special needs planning can take many forms depending on the circumstances, but, in most cases our clients are looking for assistance with managing or maximizing current government benefits while ensuring that a loved one will be financially and emotionally protected in the future.  There are usually two separate but interrelated components of special needs planning - first, we review a person with special needs’ current or potential benefits to make sure that he or she is receiving everything that he or she is entitled to and then we help families establish customized estate plans that supplement whatever benefits their family member may receive.  This often involves drafting one or more so-called “special needs trusts” which can be used not only to supplement a family member’s government benefits but to provide them with peace of mind.

Since people with special needs have access to a variety of different government benefits, and especially since each person’s needs are completely different, it is important to develop a long-term, working relationship with a special needs planner that you trust.  At Brown & Brown we work with families over generations to make sure that, regardless of the circumstances, your loved one with special needs gets the care that he or she needs to thrive.  We’ve addressed some key elements of special needs planning below to give you an idea about where we might start in our initial client meeting, but the best way to learn more about our services is to give us a call.

More Information:

Benefits Analysis / Benefits Management:  There are a variety of government benefits for people with special needs.  Click here to learn about the basics.

Special Needs Trusts:  If you have a loved one with special needs, then chances are a special needs trust can help you provide for him or her once you are gone.  Click here to learn more.

Settlement Planning:  When someone is injured and files a personal injury claim, they should not only meet with a litigator but with a special needs planner as well.  At Brown & Brown, we have an experienced litigation department and the special needs planners to help structure your personal injury award.

Guardianship & Conservatorship:  A person with special needs may not always be able to create his own Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy.  When this is the case, a family member will often have to file for Guardianship or Conservatorship.  Click here to learn how.

Glossary:  Programs and services for people with special needs often sound alike, even though the benefits vary widely.  We’ve listed a few of the most important terms here to help sort out the confusion.

Special Needs FAQs:  Although most questions about special needs planning are too complicated to answer briefly, we’ve provided some starting points here.