For students with disabilities, assistive technology can make the difference between merely attending school and truly participating in it. A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) looks at how schools are providing these tools and where students with disabilities may still be falling through the cracks.The report, titled Students With Disabilities: Assistive Technology Challenges and Read More
Two Common Special Needs Trust Mistakes Families Make
TakeawaysSpecial needs trusts (SNTs) help people with disabilities cover expenses while remaining eligible for needs-based government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Common mistakes, like giving the beneficiary cash gifts or directly paying for their housing costs, may lead to a reduction or loss of their SSI and Medicaid benefits.When managed correctly, a special needs trust Read More
11 Common Special Needs Planning Acronyms
Navigating the world of disability benefits and supports can feel overwhelming, especially with all the acronyms involved. Understanding these acronyms can make planning for things like education, financial support, and care go more smoothly.Here are 11 common acronyms you may encounter in special needs planning, from financial programs like SSI and SSDI to care-related terms such as HCBS, so you know what Read More
Special Needs Resources Online: A Family Guide
TakeawaysOnline tools can help you spot developmental delays early and know when to ask for a screening. After a diagnosis, early intervention programs can connect young children to services and supports. During the school year, parent centers and reputable nonprofits can help you understand special education rights and prepare for school meetings. As your child approaches adulthood, planning resources Read More
Who Are the Key Players in Special Needs Planning?
TakeawaysSpecial needs planning requires a team of various professionals, such as attorneys, financial planners, trustees, and care managers. These experts help families address the legal, financial, and daily care needs of people with disabilities. This includes setting up special needs trusts, securing legal guardianship, and coordinating access to services.A quarter of households in the United Read More
What Is an ABLE Account? A Practical Overview
Families caring for a loved one with a disability often face a difficult problem: how to save money for the future without jeopardizing important government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.An ABLE account can help solve this problem.ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts designed specifically for individuals with disabilities. They allow people with disabilities and Read More
Estate Planning 101: What Documents Should You Have?
Many people think of Estate Planning as preparing for passing away. In reality, good estate planning is just as much about protecting you while you’re alive as it is about what happens after you’re gone. In North Carolina, there are four core documents that form the foundation of a solid estate plan:A Will A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) A Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPOA) An Advance Directive (Living Read More
What is a Petition for Partition and Can I File One?
When two or more people co-own real estate (for example, as tenants in common or joint tenants), their shared ownership can sometimes lead to conflict. One co-owner may want to sell while another may want to keep the property. In North Carolina, a partition action (via a “Petition for Partition”) gives co-owners a legal way to divide or force the sale of the property. What is the Relevant Law? Petitions for Read More
Why Adding Your Child to Your Deed May Not Be Helpful
When people talk about avoiding probate, one of the most common ideas that comes up is adding a child to the deed of their home. It sounds simple: put the child on the deed now so the property passes automatically later. In practice, this move usually creates more problems than it solves. Of all the issues this approach can cause, two stand out:You give up real property rights during your lifetime, and You often Read More
Do I Need a Trust, or Is a Will Enough?
One of the most common estate planning questions clients ask is: “Do I really need a trust, or can a will accomplish my goals?” For many people in North Carolina, a well-drafted will is perfectly sufficient. Probate in many NC counties is not nearly as scary, slow, or expensive as it is sometimes made out to be. In straightforward estates, the process can often be completed in under a year, depending on the county, Read More
(704) 827-3941
(704) 800-6454
704-827-0644