Special Needs Planning Attorney

Special Needs Planning

What is Special Needs Planning? It's a process by which we assess your child and family's benefit eligibility, financial planning, future living options, goals for your child's adult life, a care team who will be in place when you are gone, guardianship and estate planning.

What is a Special Needs Planning Attorney?

Our representation may include:

assessment of the individual's eligibility for SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and/or Medicare;
facilitation of the individual's application for SSI;
review of the current estate plan (if one exists) and whether it addresses the individual with special needs and future family plans;
designing a strategy to protect the individual's benefit eligibility and provide financial support that will not disqualify the individual for those benefits;
guiding parents in establishing a trust that will be administered by others when the parents have died;
drafting documents to capture parents and family's plan for the individual;
helping parents identify trusted family, friends, or corporate trustees who can manage the individual's finances and life decisions when the parents are gone;
connecting families with professionals who can help answer your questions and provide resources; and
support for the trustee of the special needs trust when it is time to administer and use trust funds for the individual's benefit.

Our mission is to support wishes and decisions surrounding your family member with special needs. We consider all aspects of your loved one’s total picture-- diagnosis, treatment, living plans, support system, therapies and long term needs - not just the legal or financial picture. It is often very difficult for families to take these first steps, and we provide a supportive and empowering environment in which to discuss these plans.

After we learn about your child’s story and diagnosis, your family’s concerns, financial picture and your goals, we will design a customized legal plan to protect, support and optimize financial resources for your child. We will follow through and help you implement the plan annually to ensure your family and child’s ongoing or changing needs are addressed. While our legal planning services are the foundation of our practice, we add value to our clients’ experience by connecting them to our network of other professional services, organizations, and education. Sometimes, that connection is to another parent whose child shares a similar disorder; others, to a professional for specialized services. Best of all, those in our special needs network understand the issues and frustration of special needs families as well as the unique joy we experience.

Special Needs Planning – legally speaking – may include a Special (also called “Supplemental”) Needs Trust, Estate Plans for parents and family, a first party trust, guardianship, powers of attorney, and selections of trustees and successor guardians.

Other Special Needs Planning may include discussion of future living arrangements, vocational consulting, financial planning, ABLE accounts, transition planning (when a child turns age 18), education (IEP) consulting, education attorneys, criminal defense, bullying, substance abuse, job and workforce coaching and training, inclusion training and consulting, non-profit services and camps, college support services, therapists, medical specialists, psychological care and special recreation. Our team can connect you to other professionals who specialize in these and other services, and have demonstrated success and experience with these issues.

Download special needs planning brochure

Parent's Guide to Planning

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“Turning Pointe often utilizes Katie's help to guide families on their journey with autism. We refer families directly to her office and also proudly host her for informative live on-site presentations. Katie has a unique touch with clients as she is knowledgeable, but approachable and operates from a place of real passion for her work. At Turning Pointe, we are always confident in partnering with Clancy Associates and feel grateful to have her in our community."

- Carrie Provenzale, Executive Director Turning Pointe Autism Foundation

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"We put off establishing a Special Needs Trust for our son, because we were sure it would be very difficult and overwhelming. However, Katie guided us all the way through it in a professional and caring manner. She was also very helpful creating our Legal Will. We thank you, Katie, and highly recommend your expertise and legal knowledge."

- Ken & Kathy D.

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“Katie is a wealth of knowledge, but even more so an empathetic, honest and relatable person and professional. She understands the challenges that families face and cares deeply about equipping caregivers with the information they need to be strong advocates. Katie’s presentations are thorough, user-friendly and always up-to-date. In addition to being incredibly informative, Katie’s sessions provide an opportunity for families to connect when they may have otherwise felt alone.”

- Clare Killy, Aspire Manager of Inclusive Solutions

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“Katie is knowledgeable and easy to talk to. We can breathe easier knowing that we have a plan in place so our child with special needs will be properly taken care of when we are gone. Appointments were simple to schedule and she traveled to meet with us at our financial advisor’s office and at our home. I refer all of my fellow moms who have children with special needs to Katie.”

- Bill & Lori G.

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"I am so glad that I consulted with Clancy & Associates to review the options available for my son who has autism. I didn’t realize that he can qualify for several benefits from the government when he turns 18. This is a relief to me and great news for my son. I was very comfortable talking with Katie about our family and my son’s history. She is also a special needs parent, so there is so much I did not have to explain -- she just understood. I know there is more for me to do, but having Katie as a guide takes a big load
off my shoulders."

- Jamie M.

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