As a mother of two, I am well versed in the art of worrying. Whether it be staying up at night with a coughing toddler or waiting for a teenager to come back at night, parents worry. It is part of the job.
But typically the worry is short lived and our child comes home and things are fine until the next challenge arises. For parents of special needs children, the worries are not short lived and are very serious.
Parents of special needs children are not only dealing with the stress and worry caused by the challenges their children are currently facing, but also by the challenges that their children will face throughout their lives. Whether it is autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, physical challenges or another special need, we know that our children will have many hurdles to overcome in the future that other children will not. We worry how our children will face those challenges and also how we will be able to best help them along the way.
What do parents not like to think about is what would happen to our children if we were not there to help them? If we were disabled or deceased, who will step into our shoes and raise our children? Who will know how to manage the medications, the maze of doctor’s visits, and the emotional and social strains of raising a special needs child? Who will make sure that our children are taken care of throughout their lives and not just until they are 18?
There are no easy decisions when it comes to these questions. But making a decision and getting proper planning in place ensures that the decision is one that is made by the parents, not by the probate court. It is well known that it is important for parents of minor children to have an estate plan to ensure that they have named guardians for their children in case of disability and/or death of the parents.
What is not as well known is that it is critical for parents of special needs children to have planning done that ensures that guardians are named and also provides for the special needs child in ways that do not jeopardize benefits in the future, or put the special needs child in a position where they can be financially exploited.
October is National Special Needs Law Month. If you have a child, grandchild or other family member that has special needs and you have concerns or questions, turn to businesses who focus on estate planning to get the answers you need. Berdugo Law works with a community of professionals that specialize in families with individuals with special needs. We work together seamlessly so that we can take this concern off your plate. Because you have enough on your plate.
October is a good month to take some time to explore what options are available and what kind of planning you need to have in place for today and for tomorrow to make sure that your special needs family member is protected and provided for.
To learn more about estate planning and special needs planning, please contact our office.
