Independence for the Disabled, Too
We hope your 4th of July was full of celebrations, fireworks, and fun. Americans and Alabamians have a deep streak of independence in our makeup, and that does not change just because of a disability. If you have a disabled loved one heading to a skilled care facility, you can still extend their sense of independence.
Alabama Family Trust considers its mission to administer supplemental needs trusts as a way of improving the independence of disabled Alabamians. Disabled individuals who require skilled nursing care do not have to be limited to the level of service that Medicaid provides or to the Medicaid rule of spending down assets to $2,000.
We advise you to get coordinated legal advice from your estate planning attorney and a lawyer well-versed in supplemental needs trusts. You may be able to use the same attorney by asking the right questions upfront.
With a supplemental needs trust protecting assets, the disabled can use those assets to enhance their lives in skilled care facilities with better equipment, supplies for hobbies, new clothes, phones, pre-need burial plans, care management, legal counsel and travel expenses of family related to the disabled beneficiary’s care. Doesn’t that sound more independent?
Disabilities can occur from a range of issues including permanent injuries from accidents and long-term illnesses such as dementia. If the disability and need for skilled care occurs suddenly, realize that the disabled loved one can be placed in a skilled care facility as a private pay client until a supplemental needs trust can be established.
Assets may continue to grow even after a person is disabled. A supplemental needs trust can protect court-issued judgements, alimony from divorces, child support, and inheritances which can sometimes endanger existing governmental benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.
Visit Alabama Family Trust’s website www.alabamafamilytrust.com to learn more.
Happy Independence Day all year long!
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Your Alabama Family Trust Team
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