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Modern Estate Planning Blog

Elder Law & Special Needs Planning

Finding the Right Special Needs Attorney in Sacramento

August 24, 2012

There are a lot of considerations that need to be made when it comes to Sacramento special needs planning, and you want to be sure you have an attorney who is well-versed in your options. All parents want to protect their children, and those with special needs children sometimes find that they must take extra steps to make this happen. A Sacramento special needs lawyer can help make this a reality.

There are a number of qualified special needs lawyers in the Sacramento area, but you are likely looking for someone who seems to truly understand your specific situation. These days, a search for any sort of professional usually starts on the Internet. You can use your favorite search engine to find qualified special needs planning lawyers in the Sacramento area. Another important resource is other families. It’s likely that you know of other families in similar circumstances, and their recommendations often mean more than a pretty web site or a great per-hour fee.

Once you have a list of candidates, it makes sense to do a little pre-interview. By asking each professional the same questions, you will have an apples-to-apples comparison when it comes time to make your choice.

Consider asking the following questions:

  • How many years’ experience do you have in Special Needs Planning?
  • What led you to this kind of work?
  • What is your overall educational and professional background?
  • How would you describe a Special Needs Trust and what it means for my family?
  • What are your typical fees? Do you bill hourly or will I have the benefit of flat fees?
  • Do you recommend any specific products, and if so, are you affiliated with those companies?
  • Can you provide references of other families similar to mine who have used your Special Needs Planning services?

You’ll likely have other questions that are important to you. For example, are there specific considerations that come into play regarding your child’s particular disability? Are there other family members or caregivers that need to be involved in the planning process? What government and other resources are available, and how does your special needs planning affect eligibility?

Of course, the overall goal is to find someone knowledgeable who can guide you as you put your plan together. In the end, you should feel confident that you have created a plan that will protect and care for your special child when you are no longer able to do so yourself.

If you’re ready to talk with an experienced special needs attorney who can help you create a plan that protects your child and his or her future needs, please call our Sacramento special needs attorneys at (916) 241-9661 and ask to schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session with the mention of this article.

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I was absolutely without a clue as to how to begin or what I should do to establish an estate plan. I did know that I wanted someone I could trust, that was honest and I would have confidence in. I was referred to Heather by my friend who was being legally advised by Heather on another estate. She was very satisfied with her work and thought I might be happy with her service. At our consultation appointment, her presentation was very thorough. I had lots of questions, and she was easy to talk to and was able to guide me to just the kind of estate plan I needed. That was 10 years ago. Due to circumstances in my life, I have had to make changes to my plan, and I always go back to her for her legal services and guidance. I have recommended Heather before.
Gwen

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