Expect the Unexpected: A Portland, Oregon Special Needs Lawyer's Guide to Contingency Planning
As parents of disabled children or adults, we often find ourselves lost in thought about their future. We picture a world where they're safe, happy, and well-cared for, even when we're no longer around to guide them. But here's a hard truth that many of us have faced: sometimes, despite our best efforts, Plan A just doesn't pan out.
World Austism Month: Portland Lawyer Discusses Facing the 'Austism Cliff' at Age 18
April's World Autism Awareness Month brings a critical issue into focus for many families: what happens when a child with autism reaches adulthood? Turning 18 is a major legal transition, and for young adults on the spectrum, this threshold can feel like an 'autism cliff'. Suddenly, the structured support of childhood falls away, and parents find their legal ability to make decisions on behalf of their child significantly altered.
Portland, Oregon Special Needs* Lawyer: Why You Should Take the Time to Create a Legal Plan Now
If you have a disabled* child, you may be tempted to assume that if something happens to you or your partner, your other children will take care of their sibling. However, it's important to take the time now to create a legal plan for your child so that they are always protected no matter what happens. This includes creating a Special Needs Trust*, also called a Supplemental Needs Trust, naming backup guardians/conservators, and considering housing scenarios in the event that their siblings can’t care for them.
Portland Estate Lawyer: Planning for the Future When Your Child Has Autism or Other Disabilities
Having a disabled child can be a life-changing experience, and it is important to plan for their future to ensure they receive the care and support they need throughout their lives. A comprehensive legal plan can provide peace of mind for both you and your child, and ensure that their needs are met, even after you are gone.
Portland, Oregon Estate Attorney on The Dangers of DIY Planning—Especially When You Have a Child with a Disability!
With today's technology, access to information is literally in the palm of our hands. From your cell phone, you can download manuals to repair a washing machine that's thirty years old or watch step-by-step video tutorials that will teach you how to do anything from knitting a sweater to playing an instrument without taking a single professional lesson.
Service Dogs: A Lifeline for Families with Disabled Children
Service dogs are specially trained to provide assistance to children with disabilities. They can be taught to support kids in a variety of unique ways that help with daily living and even help in an emergency situation. For families with disabled children, service dogs can be a lifeline.
Checklist: Should You Consider an Adult Guardianship and/or Conservatorship for Your Disabled Child?
As a disabled young adult approaches age 18, the parents will need to decide whether to pursue an Adult Guardianship and/or Conservatorship with the Oregon county courts for the right to manage the child’s personal, financial, and medical affairs.
Portland, Oregon Trust Lawyer: Is Disability Planning Right for You?
Disability planning is a Plan B for when an individual becomes physically or psychologically unable to handle his or her own financial affairs. A disability plan would go into effect once you’re medically incapacitated and would cease once you’re able to resume handling your own affairs. Thus, a disability plan could go into effect permanently or end upon your return to health.
Navigating the Do’s and Don’ts of Creating a Special Needs Plan for a Young Child or Adult With Disabilities | Portland Special Needs Lawyer
Planning for the future when you have a child with special needs can be complicated and daunting. The laws are often difficult to understand, and it is equally hard to anticipate the extent of your child’s future care needs. Whether you have an elementary school child whose days are filled with speech therapy appointments, occupational therapy, specialized schooling, and IEP’s or an adult child with disabilities who is completely reliant on you for daily support and care, you must begin planning ahead to ensure that your child will have a safe and secure future—even when you are gone someday.
Portland, Oregon Estate Lawyer Answers, “Won’t Leaving an Inheritance to My Disabled Child Help More Over the Long-Term Than SSI or Other Benefits?”
As a Portland, Oregon estate lawyer, when I meet with parents to start the process of creating a special needs plan for their child with disabilities, I almost always advise against leaving any type of inheritance outright to the child when mom or dad passes away.
Portland, Oregon Special Needs Lawyers: Create a Solid Plan for a Child with Disabilities
Planning for future care needs when you have a child with special needs can be stressful. Whether your child was born with a disability, experienced a traumatic brain injury, or is a veteran with mental health issues, all disabled people deserve to have their future planned out and protected. Our Portland, Oregon special needs lawyer here at Aiston Law, LLC wants to help parents take the necessary steps to provide a secure financial future for their loved ones.
Portland, Oregon Trust Lawyer: Inviting Others to Contribute to Your Child's Special Needs Trust
Many parents worry about how they will fund a lifetime of care for their child with a disability. This is especially concerning if the parents are fearful that there will not be enough money left for housing, caregivers, and basic life necessities when mom or dad pass away.