California Special Needs Trust Attorney

Protect Your or Your Loved One’s Future Without Jeopardizing Essential Government Benefits… we offer:

Fast Special Needs Trust Creation for Settlement Recipients

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Free Phone Appointment: call 818.241.4238

When a settlement is approaching, timing is critical. Our office can quickly establish a Special Needs Trust and set up the required bank account to receive settlement proceeds—protecting eligibility for SSI, Medi-Cal, and other essential government benefits.

Call today to discuss your situation and secure your benefits before settlement funds are distributed.

Protecting a Loved One With Special Needs

Caring for a child or adult with disabilities requires more than daily support—it demands long-term planning to ensure financial stability while preserving access to vital government programs.

A properly drafted Special Needs Trust (SNT) provides supplemental financial support without disqualifying a beneficiary from needs-based benefits such as:

  • Medi-Cal
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
  • Section 8 / HUD Housing Assistance

With more than 30 years of estate planning experience, Attorney Joseph McHugh helps California families create customized Special Needs Trusts that protect both assets and public benefits.

Schedule a Free Phone Consultation

Call (818) 241-4238

What Is a Special Needs Trust?

A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that holds and manages assets for a person with disabilities without affecting eligibility for government assistance programs.

SNTs are commonly used when a beneficiary may receive:

  • An inheritance
  • A personal injury settlement
  • Gifts from family
  • Life insurance proceeds
  • Real estate or other assets

Without proper planning, receiving funds directly can cause loss of:

  • Medi-Cal
  • SSI
  • IHSS
  • Section 8 housing
  • Other needs-based programs

A Special Needs Trust prevents this loss and ensures long-term financial protection.

Special Needs Planning for California Families

Many parents and grandparents worry about what will happen when they are no longer able to provide care. Comprehensive planning helps ensure:

  • Eligibility for public benefits remains protected
  • Inheritances and family assets are safeguarded
  • Long-term financial support is available
  • Quality of life is improved
  • Future care needs are addressed
  • Risk of benefit disqualification is reduced

We work closely with families to create practical, individualized plans that reflect their unique circumstances and goals.

Integrating Special Needs Planning Into Your Living Trust

Special needs protections can often be built directly into a Revocable Living Trust, eliminating the need for a separate stand-alone trust.

Benefits include:

  • Lower overall planning costs
  • Simplified estate administration
  • Automatic creation of the SNT upon death
  • Streamlined long-term management
  • Comprehensive protection for disabled beneficiaries

This approach keeps your estate plan efficient and cost-effective.

Updating an Existing Trust

If you already have a living trust, you may not need to start over. Our office frequently updates and restates existing trusts to include Special Needs Trust provisions for children, grandchildren, or other disabled beneficiaries.

This allows families to add critical protections while preserving their current estate plan structure.

Types of Special Needs Trusts in California

First-Party Special Needs Trust

Used when a person with disabilities receives assets in their own name, such as:

  • Personal injury settlements
  • Direct inheritances
  • Savings or investment accounts

These trusts preserve SSI and Medi-Cal eligibility while allowing funds to be used for supplemental needs.

Third-Party Special Needs Trust

Established by:

  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Other loved ones

These trusts hold gifts and inheritances without affecting eligibility for government benefits. For many families, this is the preferred long-term strategy.

Benefits of a Special Needs Trust

A properly structured SNT can:

  • Preserve SSI
  • Maintain Medi-Cal eligibility
  • Protect IHSS services
  • Preserve housing assistance
  • Safeguard inherited assets
  • Provide professional financial management
  • Enhance quality of life
  • Ensure long-term financial security

By combining asset protection with benefits preservation, SNTs help families support loved ones without unintended consequences.

Why Families Choose Joseph McHugh

Families throughout California trust Attorney Joseph McHugh for:

  • More than 30 years of legal experience
  • Personalized planning strategies
  • Clear explanations and practical solutions
  • Statewide representation
  • Compassionate, family-focused service

Every trust is tailored to meet each family’s unique goals.

Serving Families Throughout California

We assist clients statewide through:

  • Zoom consultations
  • Telephone meetings
  • Email communication
  • Mobile notary services
  • Secure document delivery

Many clients complete the entire planning process from home.

Our office is located in Burbank, California, and serves families across the state.

Schedule Your Free Special Needs Planning Consultation

If you want to protect a loved one’s eligibility for Medi-Cal, SSI, IHSS, or other government benefits while preserving family assets, we can help.

Call (818) 241-4238 today.

Let us help you create a Special Needs Trust and estate plan that provides protection, stability, and peace of mind for the future.