Disability Planning

How do I protect my disabled child's government benefits when leaving them an inheritance?

A special needs trust (also called a supplemental needs trust) allows you to leave assets for your disabled child without disqualifying them from government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. The trust pays for supplemental expenses like education, therapy, or recreation while preserving their eligibility for essential programs. You can establish this trust in your will or revocable living trust, naming a trustee to manage distributions according to strict rules that protect benefit eligibility.