Planning for a loved one with disabilities requires careful attention to legal documents that protect benefits, preserve eligibility for public programs, and provide for long-term needs. A special needs trust is a legal tool designed to hold assets for a disabled beneficiary without disqualifying them from Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or other need-based programs. This guide explains how a special needs trust works in California, steps families commonly take to set one up, and how the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in San Jose can assist individuals and families located in Bethel Island and surrounding Contra Costa County.
A properly drafted special needs trust addresses both financial security and quality of life for a person with disabilities. It directs funds for supplemental care, housing, therapies, transportation, and personal items while protecting eligibility for public benefits. The trust document can be customized to reflect family values and the beneficiary’s unique circumstances, including contingencies for successor trustees and distribution guidelines. Families often find that planning ahead reduces stress during life transitions and ensures that resources are used in a coordinated way that supports long-term stability and independence for the beneficiary.
Special needs trusts preserve access to vital public benefits while allowing funds to be used for additional care and quality-of-life needs that benefits do not cover. Establishing a trust can prevent assets from unintentionally disqualifying a beneficiary from Medicaid or SSI, provide clear instructions for trustees, and protect funds from creditors or mismanagement. For many families, trusts also provide peace of mind by outlining plans for future care, housing arrangements, and how funds should be allocated as life circumstances change. This planning helps families focus on supportive care rather than immediate financial uncertainty.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offer estate planning services to clients across San Jose, Bethel Island, and the broader California community with a focus on practical, client-centered solutions. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, careful document drafting, and thoughtful consideration of each family’s goals. We work side by side with clients to develop trust terms that reflect personal values and legal requirements, coordinate with financial planners when useful, and provide guidance through funding and administration steps. Our priority is helping families create plans that are reliable, understandable, and durable over time.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for means-tested public benefits. There are different types of trusts, including first-party trusts for assets belonging to the beneficiary, third-party trusts funded by family members, and pooled trusts administered by nonprofit organizations. The trustee manages distributions for supplemental needs not covered by government benefits. Proper drafting addresses distribution standards, trustee powers, and provisions for government reimbursement where required under California law, ensuring the trust supports the beneficiary without jeopardizing public assistance.
Funding the trust is an important step that may include transfer of cash, real estate, life insurance proceeds, retirement plan designations, or other assets. Families should plan to coordinate beneficiary designations and titling of assets to ensure the trust receives intended funds at the correct time. Trustees must follow recordkeeping rules and make distributions that supplement, not replace, public benefits. Ongoing administration can require periodic review of benefit eligibility rules and careful budgeting to make funds last while addressing changing needs across the beneficiary’s lifetime.
A special needs trust is specifically drafted to hold and manage assets for an individual with a disability while protecting their access to means-tested government programs. The trust language sets standards for permissible distributions, naming a trustee to make discretionary decisions for supplemental items such as therapies, transportation, education, and personal care. In California, some trusts contain payback provisions that require remaining funds to repay Medicaid upon the beneficiary’s death, whereas third-party trusts generally avoid this requirement. Understanding these distinctions is essential for aligning trust terms to family goals and public benefit rules.
Essential elements include identifying the trust type, drafting clear distribution standards, naming trustee(s) and successor trustees, and addressing funding sources. The process typically begins with an intake review of family assets, benefits, and long-term needs, followed by drafting trust documents and related estate planning instruments like pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Once signed, families must fund the trust through asset transfers and beneficiary designations. Trustees must keep careful records and periodically review the trust to reflect changes in law, financial circumstances, or the beneficiary’s needs.
Understanding common terms helps families navigate planning decisions. This glossary explains frequently used phrases and concepts related to special needs trusts, public benefits, and estate planning. Clear definitions of terms such as payback provision, pooled trust, trustee discretion, and funding mechanisms can prevent misunderstandings and ensure documents are drafted to accomplish intended results. If unfamiliar terms arise during planning, ask for clarification so that decisions are informed and aligned with the beneficiary’s long-term care objectives and public benefit eligibility.
A payback provision requires that any remaining funds in a special needs trust at the death of the beneficiary be used to reimburse the state for Medicaid benefits provided during the beneficiary’s lifetime. This is commonly required for certain first-party trusts established with the beneficiary’s own assets. Families should understand how payback provisions affect legacy planning and whether a third-party trust might better meet goals for passing assets to other family members while still preserving benefits for the beneficiary.
A pooled trust is managed by a nonprofit organization that combines funds from multiple beneficiaries for investment purposes while maintaining individual subaccounts for distributions. Pooled trusts can accept a beneficiary’s own funds and provide professional administration, which is particularly useful when a first-party trust is required or when families prefer not to name a private trustee. Pooled trusts may have enrollment requirements and administrative fees, and they usually include payback language to reimburse the state for Medicaid costs after the beneficiary’s death.
A third-party special needs trust is funded with assets belonging to someone other than the beneficiary, commonly parents or other family members. These trusts generally avoid Medicaid payback requirements and can provide a means to pass remaining assets to others after the beneficiary’s death. Third-party trusts offer flexibility in drafting distribution standards and can be integrated into broader estate plans, including pour-over wills and retirement plan beneficiary designations to ensure funds flow as intended without endangering benefit eligibility during the beneficiary’s lifetime.
Trustee discretion refers to the authority given to the trustee to decide whether and when to make trust distributions for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs. Thoughtful drafting balances clear guidance with flexibility, allowing trustees to respond to changing circumstances while maintaining the beneficiary’s public benefits. Documents often specify examples of permitted expenditures and may set priorities or procedures for large or unusual disbursements. Selecting a trustee who can follow the trust’s distribution standards and maintain careful records is a key planning consideration.
When deciding how to protect a family member with disabilities, several legal tools are available including special needs trusts, guardianship or conservatorship, pooled trusts, and informal family arrangements. Each option affects benefit eligibility, control over resources, and long-term planning outcomes. Special needs trusts often provide the best balance between preserving public benefits and ensuring supplemental care, while guardianship or conservatorship may be needed to address decision-making capacity. Evaluating options in light of the beneficiary’s current and projected needs, family dynamics, and asset plans helps families choose the most suitable approach.
A limited approach can be appropriate when the beneficiary has modest supplemental needs and the family’s assets are minimal or expected to remain so. In such cases, informal family arrangements combined with basic estate planning documents may suffice to provide day-to-day support without the complexity of a full trust. Families should carefully consider whether informal arrangements might inadvertently affect benefit eligibility and whether simple protective measures such as beneficiary designations and letters of intent could achieve their goals while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens.
A limited approach may also work when funds are needed for a specific short-term purpose, such as transitional housing or temporarily paying for a therapy program. In these scenarios, carefully structured gifts or escrow arrangements can address immediate needs without establishing a long-term trust. However, families should remain mindful of how distributions are made and maintain documentation to demonstrate intent. Consulting knowledgeable counsel can help confirm that short-term solutions do not unintentionally disrupt eligibility for public benefits.
When a beneficiary has complex medical, care, or housing needs, or when the family’s financial picture includes sizable assets, a comprehensive plan becomes essential to coordinate protection of benefits, legacy goals, and long-term financial management. Comprehensive planning addresses funding sources, trustee succession, payback concerns, and integration with other estate planning documents. It helps prevent conflicting beneficiary designations and ensures that strategies are resilient to life changes, regulatory updates, and shifts in the beneficiary’s needs over decades.
Comprehensive planning is particularly important when funds may come from varied sources such as life insurance, retirement accounts, family gifts, or inheritance. Coordination ensures that assets are directed into appropriate vehicles so that the beneficiary benefits without losing access to government programs. Additionally, families may have goals for how remaining assets should be distributed to other relatives after the beneficiary’s death; a well-crafted plan harmonizes those intentions with payback requirements and tax considerations to protect long-term family objectives.
A comprehensive approach reduces the risk of unintended consequences, such as loss of benefit eligibility or conflicts among family members. It clarifies decision-making authority, addresses successor trustee planning, and anticipates future needs like housing or long-term care. By aligning trust provisions with beneficiary designations and other estate planning documents, families can ensure that assets flow as intended and that supplemental funds are used effectively. Clear documentation also eases administration for trustees and provides a roadmap for future caregivers and family members.
Comprehensive planning often includes periodic reviews to adapt to changes in law, financial circumstances, and the beneficiary’s needs. These updates preserve the plan’s effectiveness over time and provide an opportunity to reassess funding strategies, trustee performance, and support networks. A coordinated plan can also reduce stress by establishing roles, expectations, and contingency measures, which supports long-term continuity of care. Families gain confidence knowing that decisions have been carefully considered and that the plan supports both immediate and future priorities.
One key benefit is the ability to preserve eligibility for Medicaid and SSI while providing funds for goods and services that government programs do not cover. Comprehensive planning documents set clear limits on distributions so trustees can enhance quality of life without causing ineligibility. This protection enables beneficiaries to receive both public supports and discretionary trust-funded assistance, which together can offer a fuller range of care options and services tailored to individual needs over time.
Comprehensive planning provides a written roadmap that helps reduce family conflict, ensures continuity of care, and assigns clear responsibilities for administration and distributions. It addresses contingency planning for successor trustees and unexpected life events, which helps prevent administrative gaps. This clarity supports smoother transitions and allows family members to focus on caregiving and quality-of-life concerns rather than legal and financial uncertainty, helping ensure that the beneficiary’s needs remain a priority over time.
Begin planning as soon as possible to allow time for careful drafting and coordination of beneficiary designations. Early planning helps families fund trusts properly and avoid last-minute decisions that may jeopardize benefit eligibility. Draft a clear letter of intent describing the beneficiary’s routine, preferences, medical providers, and daily care needs. This document, while not legally binding, guides trustees and caregivers and becomes especially valuable if family circumstances change or new caregivers step in over time.
Select a trustee who can follow the trust’s distribution standards, maintain records, and communicate with family and providers. Consider naming successor trustees and outlining decision-making guidelines to manage transitions smoothly. If family members will serve, consider co-trustees or professional trustees for administrative support while preserving family involvement. Regularly review trustee performance and update succession plans as circumstances change to ensure continuity and reliability in long-term trust administration.
Families choose special needs trusts to protect eligibility for Medicaid and SSI while providing supplemental financial support that enhances daily life. Trusts provide a structured way to fund housing, therapies, adaptive equipment, and recreational activities not covered by government programs. For many families, the trust also serves as a vehicle to designate who will manage funds, make distribution decisions, and plan for future needs, helping to create stability and predictability for the beneficiary and their caregivers over the long term.
Beyond benefits protection, trusts help families plan for contingencies, such as unexpected incapacity, changes in caregiving arrangements, or the need for long-term residential supports. They can incorporate legacy wishes, coordinate with other estate documents, and provide a framework for financial oversight that reduces the administrative burden on family members. For those with retirement accounts or life insurance proceeds intended for a loved one with disabilities, a trust ensures these assets are used as intended without jeopardizing government benefits.
Many families create special needs trusts after a diagnosis that affects long-term care needs, when a beneficiary receives a settlement or inheritance, or when parents want to ensure long-term support after they are unable to provide care. Other circumstances include planning for an adult child who relies on public benefits, coordinating complex family assets, or formalizing arrangements following life transitions. Trusts are a common response when families seek to protect benefits while directing funds for supplemental needs in a structured and legally sound manner.
When a person with disabilities receives a settlement or inheritance, placing those funds into a special needs trust can prevent loss of Medicaid and SSI benefits. A properly drafted trust allows settlement proceeds to be used for supplemental care and quality-of-life expenses while preserving eligibility. Families should act promptly to transfer funds into the appropriate trust vehicle and confirm the trust meets state and federal rules to avoid unintended termination of public benefits.
Parents often establish special needs trusts as part of long-term care planning to ensure that funds are available for their child’s supplemental needs when the parents are no longer able to provide care. Trusts can include instructions for trustee selection, distribution standards, and housing preferences to protect continuity of support. Incorporating the trust into a broader estate plan helps align retirement and legacy goals with the beneficiary’s future needs and provides a roadmap for the family and successor caregivers.
Shifts in family dynamics, such as a caregiver’s retirement, relocation, or health changes, often prompt the creation of a special needs trust to ensure uninterrupted support. Trusts can provide funding for alternative housing, in-home care, transportation, or services needed when caregivers change. Establishing a trust ahead of these transitions gives families flexibility to respond to evolving circumstances and reduces the risk of service interruptions and benefit complications during periods of adjustment.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve families in Bethel Island and neighboring communities with practical guidance on special needs trust creation, funding, and administration. We assist clients in evaluating trust types, drafting customized documents, coordinating asset transfers, and planning for trustee succession and payback considerations. Our office provides clear explanations of relevant California rules and helps families build plans that protect benefits while addressing individual care needs. If you are considering a trust, we are available to discuss options, answer questions, and outline next steps.
Families choose our firm for a practical, client-focused approach that emphasizes clear drafting and careful coordination with other estate planning documents. We work to understand each family’s circumstances, priorities, and long-term goals so the trust aligns with intended outcomes. Our process includes detailed intake, transparent explanations of options, and step-by-step assistance in funding the trust to help ensure that benefits are preserved and supplemental needs are addressed in a reliable way.
We also prioritize communication and ongoing support, offering periodic reviews to adapt plans as laws or family circumstances change. Whether coordinating life insurance beneficiary designations, retirement plan changes, or real estate transfers, we focus on practical solutions that reduce administrative friction. Our goal is to create documents that are legally sound, easy for trustees to administer, and tailored to the beneficiary’s well-being, offering families greater confidence in long-term care arrangements.
Our team assists with related estate planning tools such as pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and guardianship nominations when appropriate. This integrated planning approach ensures that every piece of the plan works together to support the beneficiary and the family’s broader objectives. We guide clients through the entire process from initial planning to funding and administration, helping to keep decisions clear and focused on the needs of the person with disabilities.
Our legal process begins with a comprehensive consultation to review the beneficiary’s needs, current benefits, and family assets. We then recommend the appropriate trust type, draft tailored documents, and assist with funding and related estate planning instruments. After creation, we provide guidance on trustee duties, recordkeeping, and required reporting. We also offer periodic reviews to ensure the plan remains effective and aligned with changes in law or family circumstances, helping clients maintain the intended protections over time.
During the initial consultation we collect detailed information about the beneficiary’s diagnosis, current public benefits, household resources, and family goals. We review potential funding sources such as life insurance, retirement accounts, real estate, and anticipated inheritances. This stage includes discussing trustee preferences, distribution priorities, and any special care considerations, so the trust document can be tailored to real-life needs. Clear fact-finding at the outset helps prevent surprises and sets the foundation for a durable plan.
We examine existing estate planning documents, beneficiary designations, property titles, and benefit records to identify gaps or conflicts. Based on this review, we offer preliminary recommendations about trust type, funding strategies, and necessary adjustments to current documents. Early identification of problematic beneficiary designations or titled assets allows clients to make timely changes so that intended assets can be directed into the trust without disrupting benefits or causing unintended transfers.
Using the information gathered, we develop a customized trust plan that outlines funding steps, distribution standards, trustee powers, and succession arrangements. The plan details how assets will be managed and addresses payback issues if applicable. We discuss possible scenarios and draft language to provide the trustee with enough discretion to respond to changing conditions while protecting the beneficiary’s benefits. Clients receive a clear plan and timeline for document preparation and funding.
Once the plan is approved, we prepare trust documents along with supporting estate planning instruments such as pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. We carefully explain each document’s purpose and the practical implications of specific provisions. Execution is coordinated to meet legal formalities, and we provide signed copies and instructions for initial funding and administration. Clients leave the signing meeting with a clear understanding of next steps and who will take action to fund the trust.
Funding the trust may involve retitling property, changing beneficiary designations, directing settlement proceeds, or transferring cash accounts. We guide clients through each funding action, coordinate with financial institutions when necessary, and provide written checklists to document completed transfers. Proper funding is essential to achieve the trust’s protective goals, so we emphasize timely action and confirmation that assets are properly reflected in the trust’s name.
In addition to the trust itself, we finalize accompanying documents such as letters of intent, trustee guidelines, and contact lists for medical providers and support agencies. These materials help trustees make informed distribution decisions and ensure continuity of care. Clear instructions and accessible recordkeeping templates reduce administrative friction and help trustees focus on managing resources effectively for the beneficiary’s benefit.
After the trust is established and funded, we support clients and trustees during the initial administration phase and offer periodic reviews. Administration includes recordkeeping, making allowable distributions, and complying with any payback requirements. We remain available to advise on complex distribution questions, changes in benefit rules, or potential trust modifications. Regular reviews help ensure the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s needs and remains aligned with evolving family and legal circumstances.
Good administration practices include keeping detailed transaction records, maintaining a clear budget for distributions, and documenting the rationale for significant expenditures. Trustees should communicate with family members and service providers as needed and seek legal or financial advice when encountering unfamiliar issues. Ongoing monitoring of public benefit rules is important to avoid inadvertent changes that could impact eligibility, and trustees should be prepared to provide documentation for benefit renewals or audits when requested by agencies.
Periodically reviewing the trust and related estate planning documents allows families to respond to life changes, new laws, or shifts in financial circumstances. Depending on the situation, modifications might include adjusting distribution standards, changing trustees, updating funding strategies, or incorporating new legacy wishes. Regular check-ins help keep the plan current and effective, ensuring that it continues to meet the beneficiary’s evolving needs and the family’s long-term objectives.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement designed to hold assets for a person with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for means-tested public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. The trust allows a trustee to use funds for supplemental needs that government programs typically do not cover, including therapies, education, transportation, household items, and recreational activities. The trust language outlines permitted distributions and designates a trustee to manage funds in the beneficiary’s best interest, with the aim of enhancing the beneficiary’s quality of life without disqualifying them from benefits. Families often choose a special needs trust when a beneficiary receives an inheritance, settlement, or when parents seek long-term financial planning to ensure ongoing support. Establishing a trust also allows families to name successor trustees and address contingencies, reducing the administrative burden on caregivers. Because different trust types have distinct rules and potential payback obligations, it is important to select the right structure and coordinate it with other estate planning documents to align with the family’s goals and the beneficiary’s needs.
A properly drafted and administered special needs trust can preserve a beneficiary’s eligibility for Medicaid and SSI by ensuring that assets held in the trust are not counted as personal resources. The trust must be structured and funded according to legal requirements to avoid being treated as available income or assets for means-tested programs. Trustee distributions must be made for supplemental items rather than basic needs that benefits already cover, and careful recordkeeping helps demonstrate compliance with program rules. Changes in benefits rules can affect how trusts interact with public programs, so ongoing monitoring is important. Trustees should coordinate with benefits caseworkers when necessary and maintain documentation of distributions. Families should also be mindful of timing and method of funding the trust, since improper transfers or beneficiary-directed transfers could result in penalties or temporary loss of eligibility under certain circumstances.
A first-party special needs trust is funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as a personal injury settlement or inheritance, and is often subject to state payback rules that require remaining funds to reimburse Medicaid upon the beneficiary’s death. First-party trusts are typically established for beneficiaries under specific statutory provisions and must meet precise requirements to preserve benefits. A third-party trust, by contrast, is funded with assets belonging to someone else, usually a parent or family member, and generally avoids payback requirements. Third-party trusts offer greater flexibility for legacy planning because remaining funds can be distributed to other family members or designated beneficiaries after the beneficiary’s death. Families often use third-party trusts as part of broader estate plans to ensure both the beneficiary’s lifetime support and the transfer of remaining assets according to the settlor’s wishes. Selecting between trust types depends on who owns the assets, intended legacy goals, and applicable payback rules.
Yes, life insurance proceeds can be used to fund a special needs trust, and doing so is a common planning technique to provide long-term support for a beneficiary. The trust can be named as the beneficiary of the life insurance policy so that proceeds pass directly into the trust upon the policyholder’s death. This ensures the funds are managed according to the trust’s distribution standards and helps protect the beneficiary’s eligibility for government programs if structured properly. When using life insurance, it is important to coordinate beneficiary designations and consider the type of policy and ownership arrangements. For example, if the beneficiary is named directly as the policy owner or beneficiary, proceeds could be treated as available resources. Naming the trust as beneficiary and confirming proper funding language helps align life insurance proceeds with the trust’s protective objectives and preserves benefits.
A pooled trust is operated by a nonprofit organization that combines resources from multiple beneficiaries while maintaining individual subaccounts for management and distributions. Pooled trusts accept funds for beneficiaries who may not be able to manage assets in a private trust, and they can be an efficient option for first-party funds or for those who prefer professional administration. Pooled trusts often include payback provisions to reimburse the state for Medicaid after the beneficiary’s death, as required for first-party funds. Families may consider a pooled trust when flexibility, professional administration, or lower administrative burden is preferred over naming a private trustee. It can also be useful when a beneficiary’s assets must be placed into a trust to preserve benefits but family members prefer not to serve as trustees. Comparing fees, eligibility requirements, and the nonprofit’s governance helps determine whether a pooled trust fits the family’s needs.
Choosing a trustee requires considering reliability, recordkeeping ability, impartial decision-making, and an understanding of benefit rules. Many families select a trusted family member as trustee combined with a co-trustee or professional trustee to provide administrative support and continuity. Trustees must be able to maintain careful records, make distributions consistent with the trust terms, and communicate with family and service providers as necessary. Naming successor trustees and providing clear guidance can prevent administrative gaps if the primary trustee becomes unavailable. When a private family member serves as trustee, it may be helpful to provide templates and instructions for accounting and distributions, or to engage a professional for oversight of complex investments. The selection process should reflect the beneficiary’s long-term needs, the family’s dynamics, and the trustee’s capacity to manage both financial and interpersonal responsibilities with clarity and fairness.
Whether a special needs trust requires Medicaid payback at the beneficiary’s death depends on the trust type and applicable state rules. First-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets commonly include a payback provision that requires distribution of remaining funds to reimburse the state for Medicaid benefits paid during the beneficiary’s lifetime. Third-party trusts funded by family members generally do not require payback, allowing remaining assets to pass to other named beneficiaries instead. Understanding payback implications is important for legacy planning and for families deciding how to structure funding sources. Careful trust selection and drafting can align with the family’s intentions, whether preserving remaining assets for other relatives or complying with statutory requirements for first-party funds. Clear planning helps families anticipate how funds will be distributed at the end of the beneficiary’s life.
Funding a special needs trust without jeopardizing benefits requires careful coordination of asset transfers, beneficiary designations, and account titling. Avoid transferring assets directly to the beneficiary, and instead retitle accounts or name the trust as beneficiary where appropriate. Timing matters: certain transfers can trigger look-back rules or affect eligibility if undertaken without following program rules. It is often necessary to consult with counsel to plan funding steps that meet legal requirements while achieving financial goals. Common funding sources include life insurance proceeds directed to the trust, retirement plans with proper beneficiary designations, cash transfers into third-party trusts, and transfers of property managed through trustee-held titles. Documenting transfers and maintaining transparent records of funding actions helps trustees demonstrate that assets are held and used according to trust terms and benefit rules, reducing the risk of unintended eligibility problems.
A special needs trust should be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant life, financial, or legal changes. Reviews are advisable after major events such as changes in public benefit rules, the beneficiary’s needs or living arrangements, a trustee change, or receipt of significant new assets. Periodic reviews help ensure that distribution standards, trustee powers, and funding strategies remain aligned with the beneficiary’s current circumstances and family objectives. Regular updates also allow families to incorporate new planning tools, correct outdated beneficiary designations, and modify trust provisions to reflect changing preferences. Scheduling reviews every few years or after major life events helps maintain a plan that remains effective, practical for trustees to administer, and responsive to evolving beneficiary needs and regulatory landscapes.
Key companion documents for a special needs trust include a pour-over will, powers of attorney for finances and healthcare, an advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and guardianship nominations when appropriate. A pour-over will ensures any assets not transferred during lifetime are directed into the trust at death, while powers of attorney and health care directives provide decision-making authority during incapacity. HIPAA authorizations allow trustees and caregivers access to medical information needed to coordinate care. Including these documents in a comprehensive estate plan creates cohesion among the various legal instruments and reduces the risk of gaps in decision-making or asset transfers. Families should review these documents together with the trust to ensure consistent language, aligned beneficiary designations, and coordinated funding strategies that support the beneficiary’s needs and the family’s broader objectives.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas