"Written with both compassion and expertise, this bestselling book provides families with a comprehensive guide to planning for the lifetime needs of a child with disabilities. It presents the Five Factors readers need to consider-family and support, emotional, financial, legal, and government benefits-and how to plan for these factors at every stage of a child's life. The second edition includes updates based on current law, fully revised chapters with a wealth of practical recommendations, and a ten-step, manageable planning process. Online resources include fillable timelines, worksheets, and other planning documents to help families create a secure, full, and happy life for and with their child"--

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LEGAL PLANNING for Massachusetts parents of children with special needs. In a relaxed conversational style, Attorney Barbara Jackins explains the essential elements of SSI, guardianship, public benefits, and estate planning when there is a family member with a disability. Families will find the information they need to:* Obtain SSI benefits for a child who is age 18 or older* Contribute to a child's financial support without reducing public benefits* Understand the court process for guardianship* Learn about the alternatives to guardianship* Secure a child's financial future with a special needs trust

The purpose of special needs planning is to create the best possible life for an adult with a disability. This book provides comprehensive guidance on creating a life plan to transition a special needs child to independence or to ensure they are well cared for in the future. Beginning with a vision of a meaningful life for the child, Hal Wright explains how to form a practical plan to reach these goals, how to mentor personal empowerment and task skills, and how to create circles of support to sustain a life plan. He next looks at employment and residential options, and government programs available in the United States. Finally he talks the reader through important financial and legal considerations, including how to fund and manage a special needs trust. This book will be essential reading for all parents or guardians of a child with a cognitive, mental or physical impairment. It will also be of interest to attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, trust officers and other professionals looking to better serve the special needs community.

Practical Guide to Estate Planning provides an overview of estate planning, offering the widest variety of discussion on planning principles and tools from the simple to the sophisticated. This book is not lacking in detail, witnessed by its well-annotated collection of forms that will appeal to many experienced estate planners. The layout of this book reflects its emphasis on simplicity and clarity. It is divided into four major sections, the first of which provides a general view of the estate planning process.

Loring and Rounds: A Trustee's Handbook--well over 1,550 pages-- is regarded not only as authoritative but also as the most convenient, reliable, and complete single-volume source for trust doctrine. Get in-depth information on how to stay on top of the developments in this complex field of practice. The Handbook carries on the tradition of concise, practical, and up-to-date guidance for trustees, a tradition that began in 1898 with the First Edition. This classic trust reference distills the essence of trust law, illuminating the fundamental principles and answering the basic questions. Loring and Rounds: A Trustee's Handbook, 2017 Edition is up to date and includes eleven chapters of important information, such as chapters on: The Property Requirement The Trustee's Office Interests Remaining with the Settlor The Beneficiary The Trustee's Duties The Trustee's Liabilities Miscellaneous Topics of General Interest to the Trustee Special Types of Trusts The Income Taxation of Trusts Tax Basis/Cost of Trust Property

For Massachusetts residents, check out LEGAL PLANNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS IN MASSACHUSETTS. Same great information written for MA programs. Managing a Special Needs Trust 2020 EDITION includes updates on: * Housing: How an ABLE account can be used to pay for housing expenses without reducing SSI benefits* Vacations: New SSI rules allow trust payment of vacation expenses for family members who travel with the beneficiary* A new financial product-the True Link card--allows the beneficiary to have spending money without reducing SSI benefits. As well as all the details you've come to expect in this comprehensive guideMANAGING A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST: A GUIDE FOR TRUSTEES covers many topics you need to know, including: * What trustees need to know about public benefit programs such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid* Taxes and special needs trusts* Payment of recreation, transportation, and medical costs* Housing subsidies * Trustee dutiesBy reading MANAGING A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST, you will learn how a trustee can use trust funds to meet the financial needs of a person with disabilities and still comply with the complex rules of government benefit programs. THIS UPDATED BOOK IS RELEVANT TO ALL 50 STATES. While earlier editions were focused on Massachusetts' laws and procedures, this book applies to all states-the book covers uniform statues that have been adopted in most states. It also provides information on the rules of most major federal benefit programs that provide cash, medical benefits and housing subsidies to people with disabilities. MANAGING A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST: A GUIDE FOR TRUSTEES is an invaluable resource for anyone who is managing a special needs trust.