A special needs trust is designed to hold assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities without disqualifying them from certain public benefits. Without proper planning, a direct inheritance or gift could affect eligibility for programs that provide essential support.

These trust funds may help cover expenses such as medical care, therapy, education, transportation, assistive devices, and other quality-of-life needs. Trust-based planning also often works alongside broader estate planning tools.

Families exploring related estate matters can also review the firm’s probate attorney services, since probate and trust planning often overlap in long-term family planning. The site also maintains an active estate planning blog with Nevada-focused articles on wills, trusts, and guardianship-related topics.

Several trust structures may be appropriate depending on the family’s situation.

First-Party Special Needs Trust

Funded with assets belonging to the individual with disabilities, such as settlement funds or an inheritance.

Third-Party Special Needs Trust

Funded by parents, grandparents, or other loved ones who want to provide long-term support.

Pooled Special Needs Trust

Managed by a nonprofit organization that pools investments while maintaining separate beneficiary accounts.

An estate planning attorney can help determine which structure best fits your goals and how it should work within your larger plan.

Special needs planning is often most effective when coordinated with a full estate plan. That may include a will, trust planning, and probate-avoidance strategies. Families looking to protect a loved one’s future can start by speaking with a Nevada estate planning attorney and learning more through the firm’s estate planning blog.