PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: A Complete Guide to Special Needs Trusts, Estate Planning & Disability Law

Planning for the Future: A Complete Guide to Special Needs Trusts, Estate Planning and Disability LawBy Tom Sannicandro, JD, PhDWhat happens to your loved one with a disability when you are no longer here?It is the question every parent, caregiver, and family member quietly carries and too often puts off. The legal system is complex. The rules around government benefits are strict and easy to violate by accident. And the emotional weight of planning for a future without you can make it hard to even know where to start.This book changes that.Written by disability law attorney, disability policy expert, and father of an adult son with Down syndrome, Tom Sannicandro, JD, PhD, Planning for the Future is the plain-English guide families have needed for decades. With more than 30 years of legal experience and a lifetime of personal investment in the disability community, Tom breaks down everything you need to know clearly, compassionately, and without legal jargon.Inside, you will discover what a Special Needs Trust is and why your loved one must have one before receiving any inheritance or gift. You will learn the critical difference between First-Party and Third-Party Special Needs Trusts and which one your family needs. You will understand why a will alone is not enough and how to coordinate it with a trust to protect government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. You will find out how to protect a loved one's financial future when they receive a lawsuit settlement or unexpected windfall. You will learn what changes legally when your child turns 18 and which documents you need before that happens. You will explore Supported Decision-Making, a powerful and less restrictive alternative to guardianship that preserves dignity and independence. You will see how ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts can work together for maximum financial flexibility. And you will get Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and Letters of Intent explained step by step, along with a complete legal glossary and FAQ section so you always know what you are signing.This book is for parents planning for a child with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or any other disability. It is for adults with a disability managing their own future. It is for grandparents, siblings, and relatives who want to leave a gift without affecting benefits. And it is for social workers, educators, and advocates helping families plan.Whoever you are, this book gives you the knowledge and confidence to take action.Tom Sannicandro has spent his career at the intersection of law, research, and advocacy. He served 12 years in the Massachusetts Legislature authoring landmark disability legislation, directed a global disability policy research institute at UMass Boston, and has spoken at the United Nations on the rights of persons with disabilities. He holds degrees from Harvard, Brandeis, and Suffolk University Law School.But more than any credential, it is his experience as a father that shaped this book.Special Needs Trusts Online is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making high-quality estate planning accessible and affordable for every family who needs it.Start planning today. Your loved one's future depends on it.Practical. Affordable. Trusted. Built on Lived Experience. Read more