Q. Our son, Charlie, is 40 and has autism and is intellectually disabled. We were a bit older when we had him, and he is our fifth and youngest adult child. He resides with us in our home, but as we are getting older and having health issues ourselves, we are very concerned about what […]
Microboards and Self-directed Support Corporations
Dear Raider, I am a single parent of an adult child with severe autism and I am considering all of our options. I heard about Microboards and Self-directed Support Corporations, but don’t know much about them. Can you provide any information about these? What are some of the advantages and challenges? Thanks for your help! […]
How Can ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts Work Together?
Q. Our son, Joey, has Down’s Syndrome. We decided it was a good idea to plan in advance for him for when we can no longer care for him ourselves. We have been researching our options and found information on Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts. Do I need both a Special Needs Trust and […]
How Having a Special Needs Loved One Affects Estate Planning and Retirement Planning
Q. Our daughter, Sophie, has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is verbal, but needs lots of help academically and with her social skills. She may not be able to live independently when she becomes an adult. When it comes to retirement planning, it is a balancing act to try to know how much to […]
Congress Reverses Recent Changes to the Kiddie Tax
The article below can be found at specialneedsanswers.com here. By Andy Jones A major bipartisan bill, signed into law by President Trump in December, includes significant tax changes for people with assets in a special needs trust for a minor. The changes center on the so-called “kiddie tax,” which just underwent a major overhaul in […]
Top 19 Articles of 2019
Those who read our newsletter or follow our blog know that we covered a lot of ground in 2019. This past year, the Federal Tax Act increased the federal estate and gift tax exemption from $11.18 million dollars per person to $11.4 million dollars per person ($22.8 million dollars per couple). On the gift tax […]
What Happens When a Person with Autism Becomes an Adult?
Dear Bebe, My niece, Amelia, has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but is high-functioning. What happens to most children with ASD when they transition to adulthood? Thanks! Will Shebeokay — Dear Will, The US Department of Health and Human Services recently released a comprehensive report, titled “Young Adults and Transitioning Youth […]
Imagine Paying College Tuition for the Rest of Your Life . . .
Q. I recently read an article in CNBC that’s states that, “It can take millions to care for your special needs child.” The article describes how one family needed $3 million to cover the cost of lifetime care for their 23-year-old son who has autism. We have a son with autism who is currently 7. […]
Building a Life Care Plan for a Special Needs Loved One
Dear Magic, Our daughter has special needs. We have money set aside for her in a special needs trust and we have an ABLE account set up. We want to do more to plan for her future. I heard about something called a Life Care Plan. What is it and what are all the things […]
Why the White House Glowed Blue on Monday
Clay is 13 years old and has never flown in an airplane. His mom, Jennifer, avoided taking him to the airport because he gets overly anxious when he is among big crowds and lots of noise. This year, his grandmother was celebrating her 80th birthday in Hawaii and she wanted all of her grandchildren to […]
Supreme Court Rules that the Bare Minimum Isn’t Enough/Planning for an Uncertain Future
Q. My daughter, Hailey, has high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is severely learning disabled, and has a difficult time paying attention in school. We have attended Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, and are aware that she is just not grasping remedial mathematics, reading, science, or social studies, and has failed most of her Standard of […]
An ABLE Account for a Loved One with a Disability
Dear Angel, I have an intellectually disabled daughter, and I’ve seen a lot of information this month from the ABLE National Resource Center through their #ABLEtoSave campaign. I understand that it’s state run, and that Virginia was among the first states to participate. Can you tell me more about the ABLE Act in Virginia and […]
But I’m NOT Sick!
Q. Sometimes when I walk my dogs, I see my neighbor Adam swinging on the swing his parents installed on their front porch. I am a pretty friendly person and usually greet all of my neighbors when I see them outside, and make small talk. Adam is a little different, however. He is in his […]
Special Needs Trust Fairness Act Becomes Law
Carolyn is physically disabled, but has full mental capacity. Her parents and grandparents are no longer around. She would like to set up a Special Needs Trust for herself, to ensure that she is protected against the risk of impoverishment. In the past she couldn’t do so, and had to rely on a family member […]
Setting up an ABLE Account and New Legislation
Q. Our son, Isaiah, has high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, and we are thrilled to say that he was recently accepted into trade school. I heard from a friend at work about the ABLE Act. I don’t know much about it, but I’ve heard it may be something that can help my son with his education […]
Federal Initiatives for Autism
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My son has Autism Spectrum Disorder. I know there are lots of private initiatives out there to raise money and awareness. What I don’t know is whether there are any federal initiatives that may be in progress. Are you aware of any? Thanks! Ina Sheatives — Dear Ina, On the Autism […]
Massive Amount of Romance Scams Target Older Victims
Q. My brother is a disabled older adult living in a group home. He has no assets that he can access himself but does have significant assets in a special needs trust with me as the trustee. Recently, he has been asking me for money to send to his new “girlfriend” who he met online. […]
Help! My Husband Was Recently Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
Q. I was 25 years old when I met my now husband, Elliot. We became best friends and two years later, then we got married and had a baby. Fifteen years and three children later, I began to notice lots of changes in his personality and mood. He agreed to see a psychiatrist, got a […]
New Mental Health Bill Introduced in Congress
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I am a caregiver for my brother, who has schizophrenia. I heard something about a bill to help caregivers like myself and those with mental illnesses. Do you know anything about it, and if so, can you provide information? Thanks, Bill Forus —– Dear Bill, Nearly 10 million Americans have serious […]
Being Her Brother’s Caregiver
A year ago, Helen Ries’s mother died unexpectedly, and she became the primary caregiver of her brother, Paul Knoll. Knoll has Down syndrome and had lived with his parents most of his life. Ries admits that her first year as a caregiver wasn’t easy, as she attempted to maintain the same standards for her brother […]