MISTAKE 1: Disinheriting The Child

Many families who have children with special needs rely on SSI, Medi-Cal (Medicaid) or other government benefits to provide food, clothing and shelter. You want your child to continue to have access to these important benefits after your death. You may have been advised to disinherit your special needs child, the very child who most needs your help, in order to protect that child’s benefits. But these benefits rarely provide more than basic subsistence. Disinheriting your child is no solution, and totally unnecessary. How will you help your child after you are incapacitated or gone? If your child requires governmental assistance to meet their basic needs, you should consider establishing a Special Needs Trust.