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February 28
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A MyAutismTeam Member

Special needs lawyers in the Londonderry, NH area help families create trusts and legal plans to protect assets for individuals with autism or other disabilities while preserving eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and SSI. Top local firms include Pockell Law Office (Londonderry), McLane Middleton, and Legacy Care Law Firm, which offer specialized planning for long-term care, guardianship, and asset protection.

Local Special Needs Attorneys & Firms
Pockell Law Office, PLLC (Londonderry): Specializes in special needs trust planning, estate planning, and trust administration.
McLane Middleton (Manchester/Nearby): Provides expertise in elder law and special needs trust preparation.
Legacy Care Law Firm (Nearby): Focuses on special needs planning for families to secure future care without losing benefits.

Key Considerations for Special Needs Trusts in NH
Purpose: Protects assets for a beneficiary's care (e.g., housing, caregivers, education) without disqualifying them from government assistance.
Types:
Third-Party Trust: Funded by parents or others for the beneficiary's benefit.
First-Party Trust: Funded by the disabled individual’s own assets (e.g., settlement).
Legal Protections: Ensures that assets are used to enhance quality of life, such as covering expenses for housing, personal care, or specialized equipment.

Why Choose a Local Expert
Special needs planners in New Hampshire understand state-specific laws regarding Medicaid, probate, and guardianship, ensuring that trusts are properly designed to avoid jeopardizing essential benefits.

A special needs lawyer helps create a trust to secure an individual with autism's financial future without disqualifying them from essential government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. These trusts, often called Supplemental Needs Trusts, allow assets (funds, property) to be managed by a trustee to enhance quality of life, covering expenses not covered by public benefits.

Key Aspects of Special Needs Trusts for Autism:
Purpose: Ensures the beneficiary stays under the, for example
resource limit for public benefits while having funds for care, travel, and personal items.
Types of Trusts:
First-Party SNT: Funded with the beneficiary's own money (e.g., a settlement or inheritance).
Third-Party SNT: Funded by parents or relatives to provide for the child's future.
Role of a Lawyer: An attorney ensures the trust is properly drafted so the beneficiary has no direct control over funds, which is critical for compliance.
Alternatives: A pooled trust may be suitable for smaller amounts of money.

An experienced lawyer can also assist with related planning, such as guardianship, letter of intent, and long-term care plans.

February 28 (edited)
MyAutismTeam

Where can you start to find a special needs lawyer in New Hampshire to create a trust for your child?

Starting your search for a special needs lawyer is an important step in protecting your child's future. Most special needs financial planners offer free consultations, which gives you a chance to understand your options Show Full Answer

Where can you start to find a special needs lawyer in New Hampshire to create a trust for your child?

Starting your search for a special needs lawyer is an important step in protecting your child's future. Most special needs financial planners offer free consultations, which gives you a chance to understand your options before committing any money.

Here are some ways to begin your search:

- Ask other parents in your local autism community for recommendations
- Connect with parents online who may have gone through this process
- Contact your local autism support organizations for referrals
- Search for attorneys who specifically advertise special needs trust experience

A special needs trust helps protect government benefits like SSI and Medicaid by keeping inherited assets in the trust rather than in your child's name. This is crucial since having more than $2,000 in assets can disqualify your child from these benefits.

The complete package typically includes a special needs trust, living will, letter of intent, and life care plan. While it may cost between $3,500 to $6,000, it protects your child's financial security and ensures they maintain access to government services.

Don't let cost concerns stop you from exploring this. If you make more than $50,000, own a home, or have other meaningful assets, setting up a special needs trust is worth investigating. Start with those free consultations to learn what's right for your family's situation.

February 28

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