California Special Needs Trust Attorney
Protect Your Benefits. Preserve Your Financial Security. Enhance Your Quality of Life
At LA LAW Center, we CAN QUICKLY help individuals with disabilities and their families establish Special Needs Trusts that safeguard eligibility for public benefits while protecting settlement proceeds, inheritances, and other financial assets.
Schedule a Consultation
Call (818) 241-4238 or complete our online contact form to discuss your situation with an experienced California Special Needs Planning Attorney.
With more than 20 years of experience, Attorney Joseph McHugh provides trusted guidance in special needs planning, public benefits protection, and trust administration throughout California.
If you or a loved one expects to receive an inheritance, personal injury settlement, or other financial assets, proactive planning is essential to avoid jeopardizing valuable government benefits, including:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medi-Cal
- CalFresh
- Section 8 Housing Assistance
- In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Why Timing Matters
When it comes to special needs planning, timing can make all the difference.
If inherited assets or settlement proceeds are deposited into the beneficiary’s personal account before appropriate planning is completed, eligibility for crucial public benefits may be reduced, suspended, or lost altogether.
Our firm regularly works with:
- Personal injury attorneys
- Trustees
- Family members
- Structured settlement professionals
- Financial advisors
Whenever possible, we coordinate planning before funds are distributed to help protect benefit eligibility and maximize long-term financial security.
What Is a Special Needs Trust?
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a legal arrangement that allows assets to be held and managed for the benefit of a person with disabilities without unnecessarily affecting eligibility for certain government assistance programs.
The person receiving the benefit of the trust is known as the beneficiary, while the individual or institution responsible for managing the trust assets is called the trustee.
Assets commonly placed into a Special Needs Trust include:
- Personal injury settlements
- Litigation proceeds
- Inheritances
- Cash accounts
- Investment assets
- Real estate interests
When properly structured and administered, trust funds can be used to enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life by covering supplemental expenses beyond what government benefits provide.
How Trust Funds Can Improve Quality of Life
Depending on individual circumstances, Special Needs Trust assets may be used for:
- Medical and dental expenses
- Specialized therapies
- Education and vocational training
- Computers and technology
- Internet and communication services
- Transportation costs
- Adaptive equipment
- Travel and recreational activities
- Hobbies and entertainment
- Personal care needs
Because certain expenditures involving food or housing can impact SSI eligibility, proper planning and trustee guidance are critically important.
First-Party Special Needs Trusts
A First-Party Special Needs Trust is often used when a person with disabilities receives assets in their own name, including:
- Personal injury settlements
- Lawsuit proceeds
- Inheritances
- Other financial assets
In many cases, the beneficiary must be under age 65 when the trust is established.
These trusts allow assets to be preserved for supplemental support while helping maintain eligibility for important public benefits programs.
Our office frequently works with personal injury attorneys and settlement professionals to ensure trust planning is completed efficiently and correctly before funds are distributed.
Trustee Guidance and Ongoing Support
Creating a trust is only the beginning.
Attorney Joseph McHugh provides trustees with practical guidance regarding:
- Trust administration
- Appropriate distributions
- Benefit eligibility considerations
- Recordkeeping requirements
- SSI reporting obligations
- Medi-Cal compliance issues
Proper administration is essential to preserving benefits and ensuring the trust serves its intended purpose.
Customized Planning for Your Family
No two families face the same legal and financial circumstances.
When developing a Special Needs Trust strategy, we carefully consider:
- Current public benefits
- Expected settlement or inheritance funds
- Long-term care requirements
- Trustee selection
- Family dynamics
- Future planning objectives
Our goal is to create a comprehensive plan that protects assets, preserves benefits, and provides long-term peace of mind.
Serving Clients Throughout California
While LA LAW Center is based in Burbank, California, we assist clients statewide through:
- Telephone consultations
- Zoom meetings
- Secure email communications
- Electronic document delivery
Many clients can complete most of the process from the comfort of their home, often utilizing a mobile notary when necessary.
Once trust documents are finalized, we guide trustees through establishing trust accounts and properly transferring assets.
Why Families Choose LA LAW Center
- More than 20 years of experience in special needs planning
- Dedicated California-focused legal guidance
- Efficient handling of time-sensitive settlements
- Personalized trustee support and education
- Compassionate representation for individuals and families statewide
Attorney Joseph McHugh and Triage Director Kathy McHugh work closely with clients to develop practical solutions that protect public benefits while promoting long-term financial stability and independence.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you or a loved one receives public benefits and expects to receive an inheritance, settlement, or other financial assets, early planning can help prevent costly mistakes.
Call (818) 241-4238 today or submit our online contact form to speak with an experienced California Special Needs Trust Attorney and begin protecting your future.