Having a family member with a disability can be trying on a family, and on the person with the disability. It's frustrating to all parties concerned. I remember my experiences with my youngest sister who had sustained a serious brain injury in a car accident. Caring for a disabled family member can literally drain you physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially.
You love them and want to help them, and you're willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that they have all the spiritual, medical, physical and emotional care possible. One of the best ways to help your loved one is by learning as much as you can about their particular illness or disability. Do your research by going to various doctors who specialize in that particular area for medical treatment and rehap. Don't just take the first opinion, get many opinions and don't stop until you're satisfied.
You can also do research on your own by visiting libraries, searching on the internet, and finding support groups and associations who share the same problems. You'd be surprised at the amount of information you can gain by doing this, and believe me, it will help you cope with every day life in caring for a disabled family member. By educating yourself, you will learn how to help them live a full and happy life.
As the sole provider, you need to think about the future. What will happen to your disabled child or disabled adult child if you die? Who will care for him/her? What about the financial aspects? These are questions you should be asking yourself.
When you prepare your Will and Trust Agreement (if applicable), be sure to remember to provide provisions for your disabled family member. One such way is by drawing up a Special Needs Trust.
What is a Special Needs Trust?
A supplemental needs trust (also known as a "special needs" trust) is a trust drafted for children with disabilities and who are incompetent to take care of themselves. It's designed to appoint a guardian to care for the child after the parents pass away, and to provide additional funds entitled to the child beyond the funds obtained from Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or public housing. These supplemental funds are normally below the poverty level and additional funds are required for such things as luxury items, and to pay for extra comforts. Typically the extra money has already been laid aside by the parents or placed in trust for the child's future needs.
How do you set up a Special Needs Trust?
Unless you know what you're doing, it would be wise to hire a family law attorney.
If you want to do your own Special Needs Trust for free, go to this website:
http://www.bizplenty.com/Legal_Form_Special_Needs_Trust
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Special Needs Trust?
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Special Needs Trust?
The advantages of having a special needs trust drafted is that parents don't have to worry about the care, welfare and enjoyment of life for their child(ren) after they have passed. The child(ren) will benefit by having a guardian and/or trustee handle all their affairs and make sure that the child(ren) live in a suitable place. The health and welfare of the child(ren) will be maintained by someone who is looking out for that child's best interest therefore ensuring that every aspect of life will be fulfilled according to the parents wishes.
The disadvantages are that the child(ren) will have to struggle for the rest of his or her life. The child could end up on the street because the child won't know what to do. People will take advantage of the child or worse. The child's health and welfare will suffer as well. Without a legal guardian, who will the child turn to if the child is mentally ill? Even if the child gets government benefits, how will the child know what to do with it or who it's coming from.
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