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What Changes When a Child with Special Needs Turns 18? For most families, turning 18 is a celebration. There may be a birthday cake, photos, graduation plans, and conversations about adulthood. For families with a loved one with special needs, turning 18 can also bring important legal changes. Many parents are surprised to learn that…
One of the biggest questions parents ask is simple, but very important: “What will happen to my child when I’m no longer here?” That question can feel heavy. But the good news is this: A properly created special needs plan is designed for that moment. It does not stop. It continues. Let’s walk through what…
5 Signs It Might Be Time to Update Your Estate Plan We’re always happy to work with couples and families, hear their story, put their wishes on paper, and celebrate when they come in to sign their new estate plan (we even have cake ready, just saying). But let’s face it. Life doesn’t stay the…
The Holidays Bring More Than Just Leftovers The holidays are supposed to be about joy, food, and time together. But for many families, they also bring tension to the surface. A recent national survey by Trust & Will found that nearly 40 percent of families experience open disagreements during holiday gatherings. These arguments often start…
December is a busy time for families in California.There are gatherings, traditions, and long conversations around the table. It is also a season when people slow down enough to notice things they usually push aside. For one family, December also brought loss. A parent passed away just before the holidays. Along with grief came questions….
For many families caring for an adult child with developmental disabilities, navigating the web of benefits, services, and government programs can feel overwhelming. Between IHSS, SSI, CalFresh, medical needs, behavioral supports, and long-term planning, parents often find themselves acting as full-time case managers without the training, time, or guidance to do it alone. California’s Coordinated…
The Conversation No One Wants to Have… But Every Family Eventually Must Talking to your parents about estate planning might feel uncomfortable or even a little scary. After all, no one wants to imagine a time when their parents are no longer around. But avoiding the topic doesn’t stop future problems. In fact, it can…
A New Year, A New Chapter for Family Legacy Planning If you’ve been putting off estate planning, 2025 might just be your wake-up call. Between shifting tax laws, new digital-asset rules, and evolving family structures, this year has already proven that an outdated will or trust could leave your loved ones unprotected. Families across California…
When we go to a hospital, we trust that everyone in our family, no matter their abilities, will be heard and understood. For families with loved ones who are deaf or hard of hearing, that trust was recently put to the test. In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with McLaren Health…
Written by Robert Nickerson Setting up a Special Needs Trust (SNT) is one of the most powerful ways California families can protect a loved one with disabilities. But creating the trust is only half the job; you also need to choose the right trustee or administrator. The trustee manages the money, protects eligibility for Medi-Cal…
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