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Future & Estate Planning
Family Handbook
on Future Planning:
Published by The Arc of the United States and the Rehabilitation
Research and Training Center on Aging with Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities, and the Department of Disability
and Human Development (IL UCEDD) College of Applied Health
Sciences University of Illinois at Chicago. Family
Handbook
This resource is a guide to help families develop a future
plan for their sons or daughters with cognitive, intellectual
or developmental disabilities and provide personal, financial
and legal protections for these individuals after the parents
either die or can no longer provide care or support.
A Family Handbook on Future Planning is not designed to be
a “do-it-yourself” guide to will writing, trust
development and other legal processes. Instead, it is designed
to help families review and inventory the needs and strengths
of their family member, determine what should be in a plan
and then locate qualified professionals and resources to finalize
the plan.
- Articles and Fact sheets from the Arc
Care Notebook and Estate Planning Guide
Assists parents/caregivers in maintaining a medical record
while also providing guidance on more emotional, future
planning and estate issues. It was developed by The Center
for Infants and Children with Special Needs: Children's
Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati and The Arc of Hamilton
County.
Future
Planning for People with Developmental Disabilities
Developed by a team of experts in developmental disabilities,
this DVD and workbook are designed to help families that
include a member with developmental disabilities design
a plan for the future. An engaging video follows the stories
of several families as they attend a future planning class
and begin the process of making difficult life decisions.
The easy-to-use scrapbook-style workbook integrates with
the video, providing families or caregivers with a permanent
spot to record important life information. http://www.lookiris.com/products/lifebook/
The Special Needs Trust Administration Manual:
A Guide for Trustees is a valuable reference guide
for anyone who is managing a special needs trust for a person
with disabilities. In an uncomplicated, user-friendly way,
it explains the rules that govern Special Needs Trusts and
how those rules relate to the many complicated government
benefit programs that assist people with disabilities.
The Manual is for laypersons, such as friends and family
of a person with disabilities, and for professionals, including
attorneys, financial planners, and social workers-anyone
who is administering (or considering administering) a Special
Needs Trust. It is concise, easy to use, and packed with
helpful information.
In clear, easy to understand language, the authors (all
attorneys experienced in guiding trustees through the complex
rules of Special Needs Trusts) explain how a trustee can
use trust funds to meet the medical, recreation, and transportation
needs of a person with disabilities without risking the
benefits of government programs such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid,
and Section 8 housing. The authors give useful advice and
provide many concrete examples.
The Manual also explains trustee's bond, fees, record keeping,
accounting requirements, and fiduciary and investment responsibilities.
Although the Manual explains how federal laws and regulations
are applied in Massachusetts, it can be useful throughout
the United States. Massachusetts laws, especially in respect
to Medicaid, may differ significantly from other states'
laws. Trustees outside Massachusetts should work with a
local attorney who can guide them through the standards
and practices in their state.
The authors, experienced Massachusetts attorneys, plan
to update the manual periodically.
Published by People with Disabilities Press at iUniverse
(2004): $15.95,
To order go to: www.disabilitiesbooks.com/catalog-servechildren.htm
or contact: Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D., Series Editor, 33 Pond
Avenue #807, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 879-0397; e-mail: stan@disabilitiesbooks.com
Additional Resources
Exceptional Parent Magazine
Life and Financial Planning information, articles and tools.
Includes information on guardianship, trusts, residential
placement and other issues related to planning for your
child with special needs' future. Click
here to link to this site.
Special Child: Planning for your child's future
"When parents have a child with disabilities, one of
the most important questions they ask themselves is, "What
is going to happen to my child when I am no longer here?"
A parent has the right to be concerned given the fact that
how they leave their assets after death can greatly affect
the quality of life for their child." Click
here to link to this site.
Last updated July 18, 2008 |
