Seattle Estate Planning Attorneys
Helping Clients Create Special Needs Trusts

Looking out for the interests of a child with special needs is a challenge. Planning for the care of someone with a disability in the event of a caretaker's death is complex. At Satterberg, Healy & Eeckhoudt, in Seattle, Washington, we have extensive experience helping parents and guardians develop special needs trusts as part of comprehensive estate planning.

What are the Benefits of a Special Needs Trust?

Everyone caring for a child or adult with special needs recognizes that the person’s need for care will not change when his or her caretaker pass away. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping families create special needs trusts to provide for the long-term care of children and adults with disabilities.

Simply naming a disabled person as a beneficiary in a will can do more harm than good. That person often becomes ineligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. To stay eligible, assets can be held in a special needs trust or supplemental needs trust that is controlled by a trustee. To maintain eligibility for SSI, a special needs trust must meet a few requirements:

• It must be for the sole benefit of a disabled person under 65 years of age.
• A parent, grandparent, guardian, or court must establish it.
• It must provide that Medicaid will be paid back from all remaining assets in the trust upon Jane Doe’s death.

We are committed to helping people establish special needs trusts and helping ensure that people with disabilities remain eligible for a full range of medial services. We have a wealth of information available for people seeking additional information on special needs trusts.

For a free initial consultation with a Seattle attorney experienced at developing testamentary trusts, call Satterberg, Healy & Eeckhoudt at (206) 763-1510 or contact us online.