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3 Tips for Planning a Special Needs Trust

When you're planning to care for a loved that has special needs, such as mental or physical disabilities, you want to ensure the steps you take will actually meet your goals and accomplish what they need. Our Boulder Valley attorneys understand this. Attorney Diedre Wachbrit Braverman has a brother with special needs, so she understands the process on a very personal level.

Call for a free consultation with our experienced local lawyers at (303) 800-1588.

Special Needs Planning

Diedre Braverman introduces special needs planning on Fox Business:


The Top 3 Things to Consider in a Special Needs Trust

Here are three tips to help you get the planning right the first time.

  1. Customize the trust — The plan you create should be one that meets the specific needs of your loved one. What is their unique situation? Work with an attorney who is willing to customize your plan rather than trying to use a canned trust document. Make sure the trust meets the needs of your loved one.
  2. Choose your trustee wisely — When you select the trustee or group of trustees, make sure they are the right people for the job. Being a trustee comes with the responsibility of making life decisions that will affect your loved one. Don't take this decision too lightly. In family affairs such as this, people also sometimes make the mistake of selecting a sibling or other caregiver because they think that person is in charge and needs to be put in this position of responsibility. But you need to look at this as a decision that must be best for the person with the special needs.
  3. Plan before you need the plan — The biggest mistake people make in future planning is putting it off. The best time to plan is truly before you need the plan. You don't want to be making important decisions about caring for your loved one at the eleventh hour when you are in a tight spot and need something put in place because circumstances have become emergent. Be proactive. Plan now.
Get Your Free Consultation

At Braverman Law Group, LLC, we know what it's like to want your loved one to have the best care options possible. We can assist you in making those plans and choice to ensure your family member will have what they need when they need it. Call us in Colorado at (303) 800-1588 for a free initial consultation about your special needs trust and other types of trusts you may need. You can also email the firm to make your appointment.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
When my husband died, I felt I needed to honor him for his children and friends. Working through the plans was healthy because I've been a planner professionally. My daughter is not a planner and I know she would not find those endless tasks therapeutic like I did. So I've created a very specific estate plan with Diedre Braverman's counsel, detailed guidance, and support. Now I feel relief knowing that my death will not derail my daughter's life. Barbara Joan Martin
★★★★★
I really appreciate your calming nature. You are incredibly helpful and kind. After speaking with me it was the first time in a long while where I was able to sleep through the night because of your reassurance. Trudy Moore
★★★★★
I trust Bennett and feel his depth of knowledge. The time and energy Bennett spent briefing the beneficiaries of our plan – helping them to know what to expect and what their duties and responsibilities would be – was invaluable. I trust Bennett and feel his depth of knowledge will allow him to serve a wide range of client needs. The ramifications of each decision were fully explained and his adaptation to our family’s needs was exceptional. Anonymous
★★★★★
Diedre took the time to go beyond our initial assumptions and explained how we can benefit from strategies no one had explained to us before. Kathy
★★★★★
Bennett Braverman is a thorough, knowledgeable expert in his field. He did an excellent job in walking us through the Living Trust process, coaching us through decisions, and making sure we completely understood the what we had to do and the associated benefits and risks. We will continue to recommend him to our friends and look forward to partnering with Bennett in the future. Lisa
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