Redondo Beach Special Needs Planning Lawyer

Redondo Beach Special Needs Planning Attorney

When you start thinking about the future, it’s important to consider all the aspects of your life regarding your finances and other assets. If you are responsible for someone with special needs or are an individual with special needs yourself, you have options when it comes to protecting your financial future. A Redondo Beach special needs planning lawyer from Meinzer Law Firm, PC, can help you with this.

Special Needs Planning Cases in California

People with special needs are presented with unique challenges in every aspect of their lives, and planning for their future is one of them. In addition to experiencing higher rates of poverty, people with special needs are more likely to be discriminated against. In fact, about 54 percent of the discrimination complaints that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development received were related to the victim’s disability status.

Approximately 16.7 percent of children under the age of 17 live with a chronic condition or disability that requires extra care. If you live with someone with special needs, it’s critical to ensure your estate plan covers their needs with the essential financial and legal support. The simplest way to do this is through a special needs trust (SNT).

The top three leading causes of death in California are heart disease, cancer, and accidents, so it’s safe to say that something can happen to you at any time. That’s why it’s important to be as informed and prepared as possible for the future.

About Special Needs Trusts in Redondo Beach

Estate planning is beneficial for anyone with substantial financial assets, but it can be vital for people with more complex family situations, including those living with people with special needs. Special needs planning allows families to ensure their loved ones with disabilities are provided the same protections while maintaining their eligibility for government assistance programs like Medicaid.

When you care for someone with special needs, what happens to you can greatly affect them. Special needs trusts allow you to protect your loved ones under your estate while still making them eligible for essential government assistance programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Establishing an SNT in California can be difficult on your own, especially if you are handling complex assets. Our goal at Meinzer Law Group, PC, is to help families plan for their futures, so they can have peace of mind for the rest of their lives and beyond. No matter the details of your situation, you can count on our team to help you through it.

Hire a Special Needs Planning Lawyer

Meinzer Law Firm, PC, brings over two and a half decades of experience helping hundreds of individuals and families with their estate planning needs, including special needs planning. Our team has been practicing under the State Bar of California since 1999 and has associations with all the following:

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• South Bay Bar Association
• South Bay Estate Planning Council

No matter the details of your situation, you can count on us to be by your side and to help you through your case. Our team understands California special needs planning laws and how to navigate complex financial situations, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you.

FAQs

Q: What Is Involved in Special Needs Planning Cases in Redondo Beach?

A: In Redondo Beach, special needs planning is a facet of estate planning that is relevant for families with individuals who have a disability or chronic condition that requires more care than a standard dependent. This typically involves creating a special needs trust either in the name of the individual with special needs or in the name of their caregiver to ensure the individual is protected.

Q: How Do I Know If I Need a Special Needs Trust in California?

A: Special needs trusts are ideal for families that include individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses that require additional care than your average dependent. There can be many reasons to decide to open an SNT, depending on your situation. A first-party SNT can be ideal if the individual with special needs is awarded an inheritance, settlement, or any other large sum of money. Third-party SNTs can ensure protection for a person’s loved ones with special needs under their own estate.

Q: What Types of Special Needs Trusts Can I Create in Redondo Beach?

A: There are two main types of special needs trusts that you can open in Redondo Beach: first-party trusts and third-party trusts. First-party trusts are established in the name of the individual with special needs. The assets in the trust are in their name, and they act as the beneficiary, too. Third-party trusts, on the other hand, are established by the caregiver of the individual and ensure that they’re protected when the caregiver passes away.

Q: Do I Have to Hire a Special Needs Planning Lawyer to Create a Trust in Redondo Beach?

A: You do not have to work with a special needs planning attorney to establish a trust in Redondo Beach, but it’s recommended that you do. A legal professional can evaluate your finances and come up with a strategy that protects and optimizes your assets’ worth. They can use their knowledge of California special needs planning laws to help you make the right decisions for your future.

Contact a Redondo Beach Special Needs Planning Lawyer

If you live with a loved one with special needs, it’s important to understand your options when it comes to protecting your finances as well as their financial future. The good news is you don’t have to do everything on your own.

A Redondo Beach special needs planning lawyer can guide you through your case and ensure you make the right decisions for your assets. If you’re ready to start organizing your finances, contact the Meinzer Law Firm, PC, to set up an appointment to discuss your case today. With our knowledge and experience, you can be assured that your special needs family member receives the care and attention they deserve.