Special Needs Trusts

Planning for the Long-Term Care of a Loved One with Disabilities

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) allows individuals with disabilities to receive financial support without jeopardizing their eligibility for essential government benefits like SSI and Medi-Cal. These trusts are a critical tool for families who want to ensure continuity of care, housing stability, and quality of life for a loved one with special needs.

At the Law Offices of Oliver Greenwood, we work closely with families to create and administer Special Needs Trusts that are legally sound, practically useful, and tailored to the individual.

Why Set Up a Special Needs Trust?

Without proper planning, an inheritance, settlement, or even a generous gift can disqualify a person with disabilities from public benefits. A Special Needs Trust protects those benefits while allowing funds to be used for:

• Personal care and caregiving services
   
• Education and training
   
• Transportation
   
• Travel and recreation
   
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
   
• Equipment, furnishings, and electronics
   

Types of Special Needs Trusts

• First-Party SNT (d4A Trust) – Funded with the disabled individual’s own assets, such as a lawsuit recovery or inheritance.
   
• Third-Party SNT – Funded by parents, grandparents, or others as part of a broader estate plan. Not subject to Medi-Cal payback.
   
• Pooled Trusts – Managed by nonprofit organizations with separate sub-accounts for each beneficiary.
   

We help determine which trust structure is best based on your goals, assets, and the beneficiary’s situation.

Comprehensive Special Needs Planning

A Special Needs Trust is often just one part of a broader life care plan. We work with families to coordinate:

• Letters of intent
   
• Caregiver instructions
   
• Trustee selection and guidance
   
• Coordination with public benefits and services
   

Oliver Greenwood represents clients in establishing and administering Special Needs Trusts both in private planning and in court-supervised matters. He is also a frequent court appointee in guardianship and conservatorship cases involving developmentally disabled adults.

Support That Lasts a Lifetime

Planning for a loved one with disabilities is both a legal and personal journey. We’re here to walk that path with you.

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