- Consumer's Choice Award 2019
- Consumer's Choice Award 2020
- Consumer's Choice Award 2021
- Consumer's Choice Award 2022
- Consumer's Choice Award 2023
- Consumer's Choice Award 2024
Special needs trusts are designed to support a loved one with a disability without disqualifying them from essential government benefits. In Preston Heights, careful planning can safeguard assets, protect benefits, and provide ongoing financial stability for a beneficiary’s lifetime. Our team helps families navigate complex rules, statutes, and deadlines with clear explanations and steady guidance. We focus on compassionate, personalized planning that aligns with your family’s goals and your long-term care expectations.
From the initial consultation to the final trust documents, we tailor the plan to your family’s unique circumstances. We help you choose the right trustee, outline funding strategies, and coordinate with guardians and care providers. Our approach emphasizes ongoing review to preserve benefits, accommodate changes in circumstances, and adjust for shifts in tax or probate laws. With thoughtful guidance, you can secure lasting support for a loved one while maintaining independence and dignity.
A properly drafted special needs trust helps preserve eligibility for public benefits while ensuring funds are available for extra support. It offers peace of mind by providing for healthcare, education, housing, and enrichment activities without risking government aid. It also avoids probate delays, creates clear trustee instructions, and can adapt if circumstances change. Working with a knowledgeable attorney in Preston Heights helps ensure compliance with Illinois rules and safeguards the beneficiary’s future.
Our firm has supported families in Will County and surrounding communities with estate planning and probate matters related to special needs trusts. We value clear communication, careful analysis, and practical solutions that fit family goals and budgets. Our team works closely with financial advisors and guardians to provide steady guidance through every stage of the trust’s life, from setup to ongoing management and eventual winding down if needed.
A special needs trust is a separate, tax-advantaged arrangement that holds assets for a beneficiary with a disability. The trust is designed to supplement, not replace, government benefits. It requires careful drafting to specify eligible uses, appoint a trusted trustee, and provide for funding over time. In Preston Heights, we explain how these elements work together to protect the beneficiary’s rights while preserving public supports.
We walk you through the practical steps involved: assessing needs, choosing a trustee, funding the trust, and coordinating with care providers and agencies. You’ll gain a clear roadmap for ongoing administration, regular reviews, and updates that reflect changes in family circumstances or law. Our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions with confidence.
A special needs trust is a legally established arrangement that holds assets for a beneficiary with a disability while preserving eligibility for means-tested government programs. Funds in the trust are managed by a trustee and distributed for supplemental care and quality of life items that aren’t covered by ongoing benefits. The trust is designed to be administered outside of the beneficiary’s direct ownership to prevent loss of essential supports.
Key elements of a well-structured special needs trust include a defined purpose for supplemental needs, a prudent funding strategy, and a reliable trustee with a clear administration plan. The process typically involves drafting the trust document, coordinating with funding sources, obtaining necessary approvals, and setting up distributions that align with legal requirements. Regular reviews ensure the plan remains compatible with evolving laws and family circumstances.
This glossary explains essential terms you may encounter when planning a special needs trust, including definitions that clarify how each element supports long-term stability and access to supports.
A special needs trust is a separate account that holds funds for a beneficiary with a disability. The trust is designed to supplement government benefits without disqualifying the beneficiary from essential supports. It is managed by a trustee and tailored to the individual’s care plan, future needs, and family goals.
An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle that allows individuals with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses without jeopardizing eligibility for most public benefits. Funds in an ABLE account are restricted to qualified expenses and can complement a special needs trust when planning for long-term care and quality of life.
A trustee is the person or institution responsible for managing a trust’s assets, following the terms of the trust document. The trustee ensures funds are used for the beneficiary’s needs, maintains records, and communicates with beneficiaries and guardians according to the plan.
Guardianship refers to a legal arrangement where a person is given the authority to make certain decisions for a minor or adult with disabilities. When used with a special needs trust, guardianship can coordinate support while preserving benefits and ensuring ongoing care coordination.
There are several pathways to support a person with disabilities, including trusts, guardianship arrangements, and government benefit programs. Each option has distinct implications for control, costs, and eligibility. In Preston Heights, we describe how a trust can offer flexibility and protection while maintaining access to essential supports, and we help you choose the approach that aligns with your family’s preferences and financial situation.
In some cases, a streamlined planning strategy can address immediate needs without the cost or complexity of a full trust. This approach may be appropriate when assets are modest, caregiver resources are strong, and goals focus on essential protections. We assess eligibility, potential impact on benefits, and the timeline for implementation, ensuring a plan that balances practicality with safeguarding outcomes. We keep language plain and steps straightforward so families can act confidently.
A limited approach can serve as a bridge to more comprehensive planning later. It can address immediate medical, housing, or daily living costs while you explore options, gather familial support, and align with income and asset considerations. We provide clear guidance on timelines, expectations, and necessary documentation to keep momentum without sacrificing care quality.
Comprehensive planning helps coordinate benefits, guardianship, and care arrangements across a lifetime. It ensures that changes in health, housing, or family circumstances are addressed promptly and with appropriate legal instruments. A thorough plan minimizes gaps, clarifies responsibilities, and provides a stable framework for future relationships and resources.
A full service approach reduces the risk of overlooked details by engaging professionals across disciplines. It supports asset management, tax considerations, and long-term care planning while maintaining the beneficiary’s independence and dignity. We work with families to create a cohesive, adaptable plan that stands up to life’s inevitable changes.
A comprehensive approach provides integrated planning that coordinates trusts, benefits, and care coordination. It helps ensure funding streams align with long-term goals, reduces the likelihood of beneficiary disruptions, and supports ongoing oversight. By bringing together family, trustees, and advisors, the plan gains resilience and clarity for the future.
A well-rounded plan anticipates potential changes in laws, benefits rules, and family dynamics. It outlines decision-making processes, safeguards against mismanagement, and documentation that clarifies roles. Clients appreciate a structured roadmap that makes complex concepts easier to understand and implement, creating lasting value for the beneficiary and the family.
Improved stability for ongoing care, access to services, and inclusive opportunities. A robust plan minimizes interruptions in support and helps families plan around anticipated costs, personal milestones, and caregiver responsibilities. The result is a stronger foundation for living with dignity and security across generations.
Clear governance, well-documented spending rules, and predictable distributions reduce confusion for family members and trustees. This clarity fosters trust, prevents disputes, and supports consistent care planning that can adapt to changes in health, housing, or income.
Begin planning as soon as family needs or life events indicate the potential for future disability. Early conversations, asset review, and beneficial strategies can avoid rushed decisions under pressure. Gather documents, speak with relatives and professionals, and create a flexible plan that can adapt to changing circumstances while protecting eligibility for supports.
Schedule periodic reviews of the trust, updating beneficiary needs, funding sources, and distributions. Laws and programs can change, so a proactive, steady approach helps address gaps before they arise. A simple annual check-in can keep the plan current and relevant.
Families facing disability planning benefits from thoughtful, strategic planning that preserves eligibility while enabling meaningful care. A well-structured trust can provide financial predictability, reduce risks, and support coordination with guardians and care providers. It also offers a framework to manage assets responsibly and protect loved ones across generations.
We tailor plans to reflect family goals, income, and obligations, ensuring simplicity where possible and thorough coverage where needed. Our guidance covers document creation, beneficiary designations, and ongoing administration while respecting privacy, dignity, and autonomy for the beneficiary.
Disability or health changes, aging guardianship needs, and the desire to protect government benefits are common triggers. Families often pursue a trust when they want to fund future care, coordinate with caregivers, or set specific rules for expenditures. A well-crafted plan can reduce uncertainty and provide a clear path for care across generations.
When a caregiver changes, the trust and governance structure should be ready to ensure continuity of care, communication, and decision-making authority.
Our team is available to listen, explain options, and guide you through every step of the planning process. We aim to make complex information understandable, provide practical solutions, and support families as they work toward securing a stable, dignified future for loved ones.
Our practice partners with families across Illinois to deliver thoughtful, results-focused planning for special needs and disability-related needs. We emphasize clear communication, transparent timelines, and practical steps to help you implement a plan that protects eligibility and preserves quality of life.
We collaborate with guardians, financial professionals, and care providers to coordinate every aspect of the trust. Our approach aims to be reasonable, patient, and supportive, helping you navigate expectations while delivering consistent, accountable service.
Contact us today to discuss your family’s situation, obtain a detailed plan, and begin taking steps that support long-term security and independence for your loved one.
We begin with a confidential consultation to understand your goals, review current documents, and identify gaps. You’ll receive a clear outline of steps, timelines, and fees. We emphasize collaboration, so you stay informed as the plan develops and evolves to meet changing needs. This approach helps you feel confident about decisions and ensures all parties understand responsibilities.
Step one involves gathering information, identifying goals, and assembling the necessary documents. We explain options in plain language and confirm expectations before drafting the trust and related instruments. You will receive a detailed checklist, timelines, and an outline of costs. We ensure privacy, accuracy, and open communication throughout this early stage.
We collect personal, financial, and family details, ensuring privacy and accuracy. This foundation supports a tailored plan that reflects your priorities and resources. We verify identities, collect asset information, and discuss guardianship and care preferences, enabling us to craft instruments that align with present needs and future milestones.
We outline the timeline and identify stakeholders, including guardians, trustees, and care providers, so everyone understands their role from the outset. We provide a clear sequence of actions, define responsibilities, and establish communication channels to support smooth collaboration.
The second phase focuses on drafting documents, reviewing terms, and confirming beneficiary designations and asset ownership. We ensure compliance with state law and applicable programs while keeping complexity manageable. Our team checks for consistency across documents, coordinates with financial advisors, and prepares a practical funding plan.
Drafting the trust, ancillary documents, and funding arrangements are prepared with attention to future needs and governance. We ensure definitions are precise, powers are clear, and provisions reflect your family’s values and budget constraints.
We review options for funding sources, coordinate asset transfers, and establish distributions that meet legal requirements and family goals. This includes asset titling, beneficiary designations, and potential tax considerations, all aligned with your long-term plan.
The final phase involves execution, funding, and a plan for ongoing management, review cycles, and updates as life changes. We provide detailed instructions and connect you with resources to support administration. You receive a governance framework, contact information for advisors, and a schedule for periodic reviews to stay current.
We finalize the documents, obtain signatures, and arrange for funding and asset transfers to establish the trust. This step includes validating all parties’ understanding and ensuring funds are ready for future distributions according to the plan.
You receive a clear governance framework, contact information for advisors, and a plan for regular reviews that keeps the trust current. We provide access to resources for ongoing management and respond to life changes with timely updates.
At the Frankfort Law Group, we take great pride in our commitment to personal service. Clients come to us because they have problems, and they depend upon us to help them find solutions. We take these obligations seriously. When you meet with us, we know that you are only doing so because you need help. Since we started our firm in northeast Illinois, we have focused on providing each of our clients with personal attention. You do not have to be afraid to tell us your story. We are not here to judge you or make you feel ashamed for seeking help. Our only goal is to help you get results and move past your current legal problems.
At the Frankfort Law Group, we take great pride in our commitment to personal service. Clients come to us because they have problems, and they depend upon us to help them find solutions. We take these obligations seriously. When you meet with us, we know that you are only doing so because you need help. Since we started our firm in northeast Illinois, we have focused on providing each of our clients with personal attention. You do not have to be afraid to tell us your story. We are not here to judge you or make you feel ashamed for seeking help. Our only goal is to help you get results and move past your current legal problems.
A special needs trust is a planning tool that holds assets for a beneficiary with a disability while preserving eligibility for means-tested programs. Funds are managed by a trustee and distributed for supplemental supports such as medical devices, therapies, education, and enrichment activities. The trust is designed to avoid direct ownership by the beneficiary to maintain access to vital benefits and resources. A well-drafted plan includes specific goals, governance rules, and funding strategies that reflect your family’s needs. The plan emphasizes that the trust works alongside existing benefits and care plans to provide added security and choice for the beneficiary.
Choosing a trustee involves balancing oversight with practical access to funds. Suitable trustees may include a trusted family member, a friend, or a professional fiduciary with experience in disability planning. The trustee should understand the beneficiary’s goals, communicate effectively, and maintain accurate records. Clear gifting and distribution rules help prevent disputes and ensure funds support long‑term quality of life. We guide you through evaluating options, discussing responsibilities, and selecting a trustee who aligns with your family’s values.
Yes. A special needs trust is designed to preserve eligibility for government benefits while providing supplemental resources. Properly drafted distributions support health care, housing, therapies, and enrichment activities without compromising benefits. It is important to work with a professional to ensure the plan meets program rules and state requirements, and to coordinate with guardians and care teams so that care remains coordinated and uninterrupted.
Funding a special needs trust can involve transferring assets, instructions for future contributions, and using careful titling to avoid altering ownership. Some assets should be held outside the beneficiary’s name, while others may be redirected into the trust for ongoing support. A funding plan considers tax implications, Probate Court requirements, and timing to ensure smooth transitions that preserve benefits.
If the beneficiary’s needs exceed assumptions, the trust can be structured with additional distributions or alternative funding sources. A flexible plan includes annual reviews, updates to the care plan, and contingencies for changing health or caregiving arrangements. With proactive governance, families can adapt to evolving circumstances while protecting eligibility and ensuring ongoing support.
Guardianship involves a court‑appointed decision maker who may assume legal responsibilities for a person, while a special needs trust provides a means to fund care without transferring ownership of assets. Each option has distinct implications for control, costs, and benefits. Planning often combines both tools in a coordinated strategy that respects the person’s autonomy and safety.
We recommend a formal review at least annually, or sooner if there are significant life events. Updates may reflect changes in health, family dynamics, funding, or benefits rules. Regular oversight keeps the trust aligned with goals and current laws, reducing risk and helping families stay proactive.
Most trusts can be modified rather than fully revoked, depending on their terms and governing law. We explain the process, timelines, and potential tax implications, and help you pursue amendments in a way that preserves benefits while reflecting evolving needs.
In planning, involve an attorney, a financial advisor, and a care coordinator or guardian as needed. Professionals help ensure documents are properly drafted, assets are funded, and distributions align with care goals. A team approach provides clarity, reduces risk, and supports durable decision making for the beneficiary.
To start, contact our office for a confidential consultation. We’ll review current documents, discuss goals, and outline a tailored plan with clear steps, timelines, and a transparent fee structure. You can then decide how to move forward and begin implementing a plan that supports long-term stability for your loved one.