LEGAL RESOURCES

There are a multitude of legal resources in each state, which sets its own guidelines. You should check with your state agencies for guidance.

Legal Resources to Consider:

Health Insurance

Medicaid health benefits are available for individuals who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Medicaid provides government-funded health insurance for children and adults with disabilities who have limited financial resources. Some insurance policies will allow you to remain under your parent’s coverage if they provide 50% or more of your support. Look into all your options!

“Greet all people with a smile.”

Ethics of the Fathers 3:16

Guardianship

Most individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities can manage their own affairs with assistance and guidance from their support system.  If guardianship is necessary, it should be tailored to your needs and monitored to protect your best interest. In the eyes of the law everyone is legally permitted to make decisions on his/her own behalf at the age of majority. The only way your parent can continue making decisions for you is to become your legal guardian. Fortunately, guardianship is not all or nothing – you can carve out areas to retain important decision-making rights.

There are three types of guardianship:

1. Limited: Makes decision in only some specific areas, such as medical care.

2. General: Broad control and decision-making authority over the individual.

3. Conservator: Manages the finances (income and assets) of a person with a disability.

OUR SPONSORS

Special Needs Trust

A Special Needs Trust can be your primary savings tool for the future. It allows you to develop savings without jeopardizing your ability to receive government benefits.

They can be used for anyone receiving public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid.

Items to remember when setting up a special needs trust:

• What supports do you need to manage these finances? How will you protect yourself from fraud?
• Will you need a lawyer?
• The Special Needs Trust needs to be separate from any other living trust your family may have.
• The trust is irrevocable in your name once funded, but the trust owns the assets, not you.

You can also look into the ABLE Act, a tax-free savings accounts to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing and transportation.

ABLE Act

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE) states that its purpose is to (1) encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities to maintain health, independence, and quality of life; and (2) provide secure funding for disability-related expenses of beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources. For more information, click here.

Other Legal Considerations

South Jersey Legal Services (SJLS) is a non-profit organization with over 50 years of experience created to provide quality legal representation and advocacy to low-income individuals in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties.

Estate and Elder Law Office of Bradley Newman provides a range of services including special needs trusts, Medicaid planning, and guardianship for individuals of varying abilities. Clients are empowered to take control of their legal affairs so they may achieve the best results possible given their legal, financial, physical, and emotional needs and family dynamics.

Hinkle, Fingles, Prior & Fischer, Attorneys at Law have been specializing in serving individuals with disabilities since 1974. Our entire practice focuses on serving people with disabilities and their families. Attorneys at Hinkle, Fingles, Prior & Fischer have over 70 years of combined experience providing specialized legal services to families of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities and seniors. We have argued many of the precedent setting cases affecting individuals with disabilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Services include guardianship, trusts, special education, and many other services.  They can be reached at (609) 896-4200 in New Jersey.

Archer Law The Estates and Trusts Department of Archer, P.C. has provided estate, business continuity, charitable giving and elder care planning, estate and trust administration and litigation services, as well as tax services to individuals, professionals and institutions for over 55 years. The legal professionals of the Department concentrate on providing quality and personalized services to clients and, when appropriate, in conjunction and consultation with client’s advisors like accountants, financial planners, investment advisors, custodians and trustees.