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Crofton Special Needs Trust Lawyer

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Crofton Special Needs Trust Lawyer

Dedicated Special Needs Trust Attorney in Crofton, MD

It can be difficult to balance the financial needs of being disabled, living your life, and paying your medical and life expenses. Governmental benefits offer support but are rarely sufficient. Support from your loved ones can make a big difference, but can also cause you to exceed income or asset limits for your benefits. Whether you need financial support or your loved one is disabled and you want to provide support, a Crofton special needs trust lawyer can help you.

A special needs trust enables a disabled individual to secure financial help without the risks of direct support.

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Hire a Special Needs Trust Lawyer with Liberty Legacy Law Group

At Liberty Legacy Law Group, our Crofton trusts lawyer can help you create a special needs trust that meets legal requirements, protects your loved one’s financial well-being, and doesn’t threaten their benefits. We have years of experience in estate planning and supporting the goals of people in our communities. Working with our firm can make a major difference in creating an effective trust that is long-lasting and can’t be challenged or undone.

What Is a Special Needs Trust and Why Is It Needed?

A special needs trust is set up to provide financial support to a loved one who is disabled without threatening their eligibility for the governmental benefits that they rely on.

In Crofton, 6.4% of the population is disabled, including 3.5% with an ambulatory difficulty. Governmental benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offer disabled individuals financial support for basic needs and sometimes medical care. This support is essential for daily life, but the benefits do not pay for many other expenses that an individual has.

SSI and other benefits like Medicaid also have asset limits, preventing an individual from having enough resources to cover those extra expenses. The purpose of a special needs trust is to provide financial support for an individual in this situation without causing them to exceed their asset limit and disqualify them for benefits. Direct inheritance or cash gifts can cause them to lose their benefits.

There were a total of 123,448 people receiving SSDI in 2024 in Maryland, including 103,984 workers and 17,266 adult children. There were also 115,474 recipients of SSI in December 2025 in the state, including 98,125 who were disabled.

Key Elements in a Special Needs Trust in Crofton, Maryland

There are several essential aspects of a special needs trust in Crofton in order to provide actual protection for a disabled loved one. This includes:

  • A dependable trustee. The trustee is the person in charge of the funds in the trust and cannot be the loved one who is the beneficiary. It’s crucial that the trustee is someone reliable who understands the legal responsibilities of the position. They have the discretion over the funds in the trust. While the beneficiary cannot have complete access to the funds in the trust, it’s also important that the funds are not inaccessible.
  • Funds for supplemental use. It’s important that the funds in a special needs trust are designated for non-essential needs, as those needs are covered by governmental benefits. Getting payments for essential needs like housing or food can reduce overall benefits or even result in disqualification.
  • Irrevocable. An irrevocable trust is a trust that can’t be changed or undone without significant work, and funds that are put into it can’t be easily removed. This helps protect an individual’s disability and governmental benefits.

Why Do You Need a Special Needs Trust Lawyer?

It’s important to hire a Crofton special needs trust attorney for many reasons, including:

  • Knowledge of legal requirements and restrictions of a trust
  • An understanding of the process and common pitfalls and options
  • Help you understand how a trust works and what is expected of you
  • Minimize the confusion and uncertainty of the process
  • Give you confidence in the reliability of the trust
  • Answer your questions and concerns

An attorney can also help you navigate related proceedings at the Circuit Court for Ann Arrundell County, such as guardianship proceedings.

FAQs

How Much Does a Lawyer Charge to Manage a Trust?

The amount a lawyer charges to manage a trust depends on the complexity of the trust and other specifics about your case. Managing a trust is a longer-term legal service compared to setting up a trust, which means it will likely cost more. Each trust is unique, however, and so are every attorney’s fees. When you set up a trust with a lawyer, they can explain the ongoing needs of managing a trust so you can make an informed decision.

How Much Money Should You Put in a Special Needs Trust?

The amount of money you should put in a special needs trust varies entirely on your own financial circumstances and the needs of the individual the trust is for. Consider the immediate and lifelong needs of the individual you are leaving funds for, as well as how their governmental benefits may change. An attorney can help you review your financial abilities and your loved one’s needs. You can also put money in over time or as a lump sum.

What Are Common Special Needs Trust Mistakes to Avoid?

The primary mistake made when creating a special needs trust is providing assets directly to the individual the trust is for because the trust was not properly funded. The point of a trust is to avoid direct transfer, as this severely threatens the benefits that your loved one relies on. It’s important to both transfer all assets to the trust’s ownership and ensure the trust has a trustee who is not the beneficiary.

What Can a Special Needs Trust Not Pay For?

A special needs trust cannot pay for the basic needs like housing, food, or utilities, because these costs are included in disability governmental benefits. If the trust is used for these expenses, an individual can have their benefits reduced or become ineligible for benefits. The intention of a special needs trust is to provide supplemental financial support to cover costs that are not handled by benefits, but the beneficiary has no other way to pay for.

Your Crofton, MD Special Needs Trust Attorney

Whether you are a disabled individual or a loved one trying to offer support, the team at Liberty Legacy Law Group can offer reliable legal information and support. Reach out to our firm today.

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