California Special Needs Trust Estate Plan
Protect the needs, lifestyle, and future well-being of your loved one
A special needs trust is created for the sole benefit of a disabled or mentally ill beneficiary.
There are many benefits of a special needs trust in estate planning:
- Maintain SSI or Medicaid eligibility
- Shelter from taxes
- Protection from creditors
Why you need a special needs trust
Tax Deductible
Funds used to create a special needs trust are tax-deductible. To maximize the percentage your loved one receives, consider creating a trust.
Ongoing Support
The trustee named in the trust will have complete discretion over the trust property and will be in charge of spending money on your loved one’s behalf.
Protect Against Creditors
Creditors are not allowed to file a lawsuit against a special needs trust. Special needs trust funds are used for the beneficiary.
What makes our service unique?
Affordable
Our simple online interview process can help you save thousands compared to hiring an expensive attorney to prepare your estate plan.
Expert Verification
Our estate plan service includes a custom review of your documents, making sure you didn’t overlook something.
Legal & Reliable
We use the same estate planning software that many California attorneys use, so you can be confident in your documents.
Trusted
We provide exceptionally high quality legal document preparation services unsurpassed by any other company online, and we take pride in our long-term reputation.
How it works
1. Complete our simple questionnaire
It’s convenient and risk free!
2. Review and confirm services
Review your information and tell us how quickly you need your documents.
3. Sign and purchase
Securely sign online and we’ll complete your documents.
Common questions about special needs trusts
- Pick a trustee you can trust to administer the special needs trust for your loved one.
- Some trustees have the power to end the trust once it is no longer needed.
- You should appoint a trustee that knows and understands the beneficiary’s needs, a point often overlooked.
- Family members often serve as the trustee.
Note: You may consider performing annual audits on the trustee to make sure they are following the trust terms.
Funds used to create a special needs trust are tax-deductible.
Creditors also may not file a lawsuit against a special needs trust for monies owed. Special needs trust funds are used for the beneficiary.
Trust assets may be used to buy a variety of goods and services for your loved one such as:
- personal care attendants
- out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses
- physical rehabilitation
- education
- home furnishings
- vacations
- recreation
- vehicles
- and other incidentals
Probate is a legal proceeding required to settle a deceased person’s estate, paying all debts of the decedent, and distributing the property to the heirs and beneficiaries.
When a Living Trust holds the title to some of the decedent’s property, however, that property can pass to the beneficiaries without going through probate.
A court probate of a will, depending on the size of the estate, can be expensive and time-consuming. The probate process varies dramatically between states, but can be completely avoided with proper estate planning.
