Have you considered the legal and financial steps needed to support a loved one with developmental disabilities? Families often face complex decisions when it comes to long-term care, financial security, and ensuring their loved ones have the support they need throughout their lives. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to explore ways to protect and empower those with disabilities in California.
One of the most important steps families can take is creating a comprehensive plan that addresses medical care, financial stability, and legal protections. Without a proper plan in place, individuals with developmental disabilities may face unnecessary challenges in accessing essential services and long-term support.
Families navigating long-term care and financial planning for a loved one with developmental disabilities have several legal tools available. A key legal tool is a special needs trust. This trust allows loved ones with disabilities to receive financial support without jeopardizing eligibility for essential government benefits such as Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These trusts are carefully structured to protect assets while ensuring that funds are used to enhance the individual’s quality of life.
Another important consideration and legal tool are establishing durable powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions. This ensures that a trusted individual can manage finances, make medical choices, and provide guidance when your loved one with a disability is unable to do so independently. Guardianship or conservatorship may also be necessary for loved ones who are unable to make significant decisions on their own, but families should explore all available options to determine the best legal path for their loved one’s specific needs.
Families must also consider long-term care and financial stability when developing a plan. Government benefits, such as Medi-Cal and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), can provide critical support, but additional financial planning is often needed. Special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and structured financial planning can help ensure that funds are managed responsibly and that a loved one with developmental disabilities will continue to receive necessary care.
It is critical to designate responsible individuals to oversee the well-being and financial security of a loved one with disabilities. Selecting a trustee for a special needs trust or appointing a healthcare proxy can provide added layers of security and protection.
At Cox Law Group, we understand the unique challenges families face when planning for the future of a loved one with developmental disabilities in California. Our team provides guidance on establishing the right legal tools to ensure long-term care, financial security, and peace of mind for families and individuals alike.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers. Planning for the future of a loved one with developmental disabilities involves many legal considerations, and we are here to help. Do you have questions? Our office is here for you and your loved ones. Please call us to schedule a meeting time.