The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults…

In many ways, families who have children with special needs are similar to most other families. They share a daily routine, watch movies and eat popcorn on the weekends, and enjoy vacationing together at a beach or camp. All parents want their children to have access to good schools and the best possible healthcare. Most importantly, parents hope…

A growing number of families are sandwiched between the long-term care needs of parents and grandparents, on the one hand, and the healthcare, income, housing, and other needs of children with disabilities on the other. As the parents of a child with disabilities age, they need to develop a plan to meet the caregiving needs of their child when…

This publication was created for middle-income parents of children under the age of 18 who have disabilities. It is a simple, straightforward resource to help them manage their money, and plan for them and their children's financial future and overall well-being. The financial management techniques presented here can help parents, not just in…

Estate planners counseling families who have children with disabilities are increasingly confronted with planning dilemmas that mirror the social, financial, and societal issues presented by an aging population. It is not uncommon when discussing "special needs" planning with clients to discover that they are in their 70s or 80s and…

When a parent leaves an inheritance over $2,000 to an individual with special needs, the inheritance is actually a gift to the government because it eliminates that child's qualification for government benefits. The use of a special needs trust eliminates this disqualification because the inheritance is not left to the individual with special…

For most families, financial planning involves paying the monthly bills while putting money aside for the children's college funds and the parents' retirement. However, for parents of children with special needs, planning often takes on a very different meaning. Ensuring that children will have the resources to meet their financial, educational,…

The authors present estate planning suggestions that address concerns about lifetime care for the disabled children of aging parents. Aspects covered include disinheriting children, trust funds, and medical and legal assistance and food stamps. (CL)

Information is provided for parents regarding planning for their disabled child's future. Aspects considered include guardianship of the estate, trusts, transfer of property, power of attorney, joint bank accounts, and criteria for selecting a successor. (CL)

The article explains how parents can set up a trust to provide for a disabled child's financial future. The trust instrument is described and the assignment of imperative or discretionary powers to a trustee or cotrustees is considered. (DB)

An attorney describes problems that can arise if property is left outright or in a standard type of trust to or for the benefit of a disabled person. (CL)

The handbook is designed to assist parents of handicapped children with their estate planning and to provide relevant information for other interested persons such as attorneys and advocates. Considered are various ways of providing for handicapped individuals when parents can no longer care for them because of death or long term illness. Major…

Intended for parents of disabled children, the handbook addresses issues of estate planning and other legal matters concerning the child's future. An initial section on guardianship covers such aspects as how to obtain guardianship, duties, and alternatives to guardianships. Wills and trusts are examined in separate chapters which include…

Parents who wish their handicapped offspring to be financially provided for after their own deaths need to explore several ways of managing and distributing their assets, including: creating a will; disinheritance (to avoid loss of benefits; joint property and life insurance; and trusts and trustees. (CB)

This issue of the "NICHCY News Digest" presents several articles designed to help parents of children with disabilities to plan their estate to best meet the needs of these children. The issue begins with an overview of the topic that discusses the following aspects: how the type of disability affects estate planning; considerations involved in…