Special Needs Trusts (SNT) are a vehicle to bequeath assets to a child or loved one without letting that inheritance disrupt his or her Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Guardianship is the legal power to care for another person and manage his or her affairs.
Our lawyers are knowledgeable about the policies and inner-workings of the Orphans Court systems throughout the Mid-Atlantic region that are responsible for protecting the personal and property rights of all persons and entities that may not be otherwise capable of handling their own affairs. We are experienced in establish SNTs for incapacitated clients and guardianship trusts for minors, and representing them in litigation involving benefits, trust administration and guardianship matters that may arise.
Often SNT result from personal injury lawsuits and involve large financial settlements. We are knowledgeable and experienced in working with banks to best manage SNTs to protect significant recoveries.
While each state has its own specific laws on guardianship, generally Guardianships are necessary when a mentally incapacitated person becomes an adult to ensure that his or her legal needs and rights are met.
We regularly advise clients on the different types of guardianships, including:
- Guardianship of the person or property
- Full guardianship
- Limited guardianship
- Temporary guardianship