SHIELD SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING

⚖️ Shield Special Needs Planning — Terms & Conditions

1. Educational Purpose Only

The content on this site and in our workshops is for informational and educational purposes. It is not intended as legal, financial, or tax advice.

We always encourage families to consult qualified professionals for personalized guidance.

2. No Client Relationship

Visiting this site, downloading materials, or attending a workshop does not create an attorney–client, planner–client, or fiduciary relationship.

Formal engagements begin only once both sides agree in writing.

3. Intellectual Property

All written content, guides, and materials on this site belong to Shield Special Needs Planning. You’re welcome to share them for personal or educational use, but please don’t republish or sell them without our permission.

4. Limitation of Liability

We do our best to ensure all information is accurate and up to date, but laws and programs change often. We are not responsible for any errors or for how third parties may use the information provided here.

5. Links to Other Resources

We link to external websites we find helpful, but we’re not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

We always recommend reviewing their terms before sharing any personal information.

6. Updates

We may update these terms from time to time. The most recent version will always be posted here.

7. Contact

If you have any questions about these terms, please reach out to us:

Planning starts with clarity about who can act, what they can do, and how your loved one’s resources are protected. When a child turns 18, parents no longer have automatic authority to make decisions on their child’s behalf. Some families use supported decision making with Powers of Attorney (medical and financial) and an Advance Health Care Directive so trusted supporters can help. In other situations, a limited conservatorship/guardianship may be appropriate. The right option depends on your loved one’s abilities and preferences, and on state rules (in California, for example, guardianship is for minors and conservatorship is for adults).

Next comes your estate plan. A Will names guardians for minors and expresses your wishes, but a Will alone goes through probate, which can be costly and tie up assets for years. Worst of all a will can unintentionally direct assets to your loved one—jeopardizing benefits. Pairing your Will with a Living Revocable Trust keeps affairs private, names successor trustees, and avoids probate. Crucially, your plan should include protective language so no assets pass directly to your loved one; instead, anything intended for them is routed to a Special Needs Trust.

A 3rd party, stand alone, irrevocable Special Needs Trust (SNT) is the gold standard for preserving benefits while providing supplemental quality of life support. It can be funded by family during life and at death (including through life insurance and beneficiary designations), managed by trustees you choose, and—when properly drafted—keeps trust assets from being counted against eligibility.