Our services encompass holistic estate planning needs of an individual with a disability.
These services include both decision making for the individual with a disability either through the use of a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy or through a guardianship. It also includes estate and benefit planning for the individual, often through the use of a Supplemental Needs Trust. In addition, the Compson & Pimpinella, PLLC Special Needs attorneys can assist with the application for Medicaid benefits and advocacy through other government agencies.
Guardianship
Estate Planning, including us of Supplemental Needs Trusts
Benefits Counseling
Medicaid application and advocacy
Advocacy with other government and not for profit agencies
Supplemental Needs Planning
A supplemental/special needs trust (also known as an “SNT”) creates a pool of money to assist a person suffering from a severe and chronic disability when the creator of the SNT may not be around to see that the money is well spent for their loved ones. The SNT pays for the unique, long-term needs and expenses of the beneficiary and is meant to improve their quality of life, without jeopardizing any government assistance and/or benefits that they may be receiving. SNTs are often created through wills to become effective on the death of the decedent but can also be created during the lifetime of the disabled individual.
Guardianships
Guardianship is a legal arrangement where a court gives a person the legal right to make decisions for another person who is unable to make decisions for themselves. Depending on the type of guardianship asked for and the person over whom guardianship is requested, the case is handled by the Family Court, the Supreme Court or the Surrogate’s Court.
Compson & Pimpinella, PLLC can help a family through the process of a guardianship, wherein the family makes a choice as to who will care for the person with special needs both presently and in the future. We can assist the family in securing or maximizing government benefits, and in preserving assets of the person with special needs so as to enable that person to live a more full life. We can also work with spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and other concerned relatives to establish trusts to ensure the resources will be available to the person with special needs even when those relatives themselves have passed on.
Contact
Need help? Call us
2310 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13502
