Special Needs Trusts
Protect Their Benefits. Honor Their Life. Preserve Your Peace of Mind.
A Clear Plan to Protect the Person You Love Most
You’ve spent years protecting your loved one—advocating for them, caring for them, and making sure they’re safe.
But there’s a quiet question that keeps you up at night:
“What happens when I’m not here?”
If you love someone with a disability, you are already the hero of this story.
You just need a plan that protects them when you can’t.
Good Intentions Can Cause Real Harm
Helping Them Could Accidentally Hurt Them
Most families assume the right thing to do is simple:
“I’ll leave them some money so they’re taken care of.”
But here’s the problem no one warns you about:
If your loved one receives needs-based benefits like SSI or Medicaid, even a small inheritance or gift can disqualify them from those benefits.
That means:
Loss of medical coverage
Loss of support services
Forced spend-down of assets
Stress and instability for the person you’re trying to protect
Your good intentions shouldn’t put their care at risk—but without planning, they can.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
This is where most families feel stuck.
The rules are confusing.
The stakes feel high.
And the fear of “getting it wrong” keeps people from acting at all.
That’s where I come in.
At The Happy Lawyer NC, my role is to:
Explain your options clearly
Help you avoid costly mistakes
Create a plan that protects benefits and quality of life
You don’t need legal jargon.
You need clarity, compassion, and a plan that works.
The Solution: A Special Needs Trust
A Special Needs Trust allows you to set aside money for your loved one’s benefit—without putting their government benefits in jeopardy.
Instead of giving money directly to them, the trust:
Holds assets safely
Uses those funds to enhance their life
Preserves eligibility for SSI and Medicaid
What This Means in Real Life
A Special Needs Trust can pay for things that make life richer and more comfortable, such as:
Therapies and medical care not covered by benefits
Education, job training, or support services
Transportation and travel
Caregivers and companionship
Personal interests, hobbies, and experiences
It’s not about excess.
It’s about dignity, independence, and stability.
How We Can Help
We keep this simple and supportive.
Step 1: We Talk
You share your concerns, your loved one’s needs, and your hopes for the future.
Step 2: We Design the Right Trust
We determine the correct type of Special Needs Trust and tailor it to your family—not a one-size-fits-all document.
Step 3: We Coordinate the Bigger Picture
We align the trust with your will, beneficiary designations, and other planning so nothing is left to chance.
Step 4: You Gain Peace of Mind
You leave knowing your loved one is protected—no matter what the future brings.
What Happens If You Don’t Plan?
Without proper planning:
Benefits can be lost
Funds may need to be spent down unnecessarily
Loved ones may face court involvement or guardianship issues
Family members may be left with unclear roles and stress
Planning now means less crisis later.
This Is About Peace—Not Just Paperwork
Parents and caregivers often tell me the same thing:
“I just want to know they’ll be okay.”
A Special Needs Trust helps answer that question—clearly and legally.
It allows you to stop worrying and start enjoying time with your loved one, knowing there’s a plan in place.
Confidence Instead of Constant Worry
Families often tell me the same thing after planning:
“I finally feel like I can breathe.”
A Special Needs Trust doesn’t just protect money—it protects peace of mind.
It lets you stop worrying about “what if”
and start focusing on enjoying time with the person you love.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re caring for someone with special needs and want to make sure they are protected—without risking the benefits they depend on—you don’t have to do this alone.
Let’s talk through your situation and create a plan that fits your family.
👉 Schedule a Confidential Planning Conversation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes—when properly drafted, they are a powerful and recognized planning tool.
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No. Even modest assets can cause benefit disqualification without proper planning.ven modest assets can cause benefit disqualification without proper planning.
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Absolutely—and we often coordinate gifting and inheritance strategies for extended family.
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You may need a Special Needs Trust if you want to provide financial support to a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits like SSI or Medicaid.
If your loved one:
Receives (or may receive) needs-based benefits
Cannot manage money independently
Could inherit money, life insurance, or retirement assets
Has family members who want to help financially
…then a Special Needs Trust is often an essential part of protecting their future.
Without proper planning, even a small inheritance or gift can unintentionally disqualify them from benefits they rely on for medical care and daily support.
A Special Needs Trust allows you to help—without causing harm.
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A Special Needs Trust is typically appropriate when a child or loved one has a physical, developmental, or cognitive disability and depends on government benefits for healthcare or support services.
Even families who don’t consider themselves “wealthy” often need this type of trust. Life insurance proceeds, retirement accounts, personal injury settlements, or well-intentioned gifts can all create problems if they are not handled correctly.
The right trust ensures assets are used to improve quality of life—not replace benefits.