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William Rambaum, PA Clearwater & Oldsmar Elder Law Attorney
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Creating An Estate Plan In Clearwater For Adult Children With Special Needs

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As a parent, providing for and protecting your family is a top priority. Those who have adult children with special needs often worry about whether they will be cared for properly in the years to come.

Estate planning in Clearwater helps ensure they have the financial support and resources they need without jeopardizing their rights to critical benefits. Our Clearwater estate planning attorney explains more about common concerns parents in this situation face and the documents you need to put in place.

Common Concerns For Parents of Adult Children with Special Needs

Creating an estate plan in Clearwater helps protect your assets and your loved ones. It plays a vital role in ensuring adult children with special needs are provided for properly, both now and in the future.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly one in six children living in the United States suffers a developmental disability, with many requiring ongoing care and support into and through adulthood. For parents of adult children with special needs, the future can bring uncertainty and worry. Common concerns these parents face include:

  • Meeting ongoing care needs as the parent gets older;
  • Wondering who will meet the adult child’s needs once parents are gone;
  • Uncertainty over future living arrangements and who will make decisions for the adult child;
  • Protecting adults with special needs from abuse and financial or personal exploitation.

Estate Planning In Clearwater For Adult Children With Special Needs

Estate planning in Clearwater generally involves putting a will and other legal documents in place, which protect your assets, determine inheritance rights and help avoid Pinellas County Probate Court proceedings.

For parents of adult children with special needs, estate planning is critical. It creates a legal framework that allows you to continue providing for your child’s financial and personal well-being long after you are gone. Consider the following:

  • Power of attorney, authorizing others to handle important matters in case an accident, illness, or other unexpected situation leaves you incapacitated;
  • A guardianship or conservatorship, designating someone you trust to manage your adult child’s personal and financial matters if anything happens to you;
  • A letter of intent providing detailed instructions for future caregivers;
  • A Special Needs Trust (SNT), allowing you to leave assets to adult children with special needs without disqualifying them from government benefits;
  • Life insurance policies to help fund a special needs trust and ensure financial stability without burdening siblings or other family members.

Request A Consultation To Discuss The Options With Our Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney

Clearwater estate planning attorney William Rambaum is Board-certified by the Florida Bar and the National Elder Law Foundation. With over 40 years of experience serving clients in our community, he helps aging parents protect adult children with special needs. Together, we can create an estate plan that provides peace of mind for you and lasting support for your loved one. Contact us today and request a consultation to discuss your options.

Sources: 

cdc.gov/environmental-health-tracking/php/data-research/developmental-disabilities.html

mypinellasclerk.gov/Home/Probate-Mental-Health

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