If you are caring for a loved one with disabilities in Lancaster, understanding how a special needs trust can protect benefits and provide long-term financial security is important. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman helps families plan and structure trusts that preserve eligibility for government programs while allowing funds to be used for quality of life needs. This guide explains the purpose of special needs trusts, options for funding them, and how they interact with public benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. We strive to provide clear, practical guidance so families can make informed decisions about their planning choices.
Families often face complicated decisions when arranging support for a person with disabilities. A well-drafted special needs trust addresses multiple concerns, including how to pay for medical care, education, therapies, housing, assistive technology, and everyday needs without jeopardizing means-tested public benefits. In Lancaster and throughout Los Angeles County, thoughtful planning can reduce future legal hurdles and ease stress for caregivers. This page provides an overview of the trust types available, the process to create one, common terms you should know, and when a more comprehensive estate planning approach is preferable to a limited, short-term solution.
Special needs trusts play an essential role in protecting the financial future of a person with disabilities while maintaining access to public benefits. By placing assets into a properly structured trust, families can provide for supplemental needs—such as therapy, education, transportation, and comfort items—without causing disqualification from Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. A trust can also provide a mechanism for managing funds when the beneficiary is unable to do so independently, reducing the administrative burden on caregivers. Thoughtful drafting anticipates future needs, designates responsible trustees, and includes provisions that reflect the beneficiary’s lifestyle and long-term support requirements.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman has a long history of assisting California families with estate planning matters, including special needs trusts and related documents. From our practice, we provide personalized attention to clients in Lancaster and neighboring communities across Los Angeles County. Our approach emphasizes careful listening, clear communication, and practical solutions that reflect each family’s values and financial realities. We help draft trust provisions, coordinate funding strategies, prepare associated estate documents like pour-over wills and powers of attorney, and guide trustees through their responsibilities while prioritizing the beneficiary’s best interests.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement designed to hold assets for the benefit of someone with disabilities without disqualifying them from public assistance programs that have strict asset limits. These trusts come in different forms, including third-party trusts funded by family members, and first-party or self-settled trusts that may be required in specific circumstances. Establishing the right type of trust requires careful consideration of the beneficiary’s existing benefits, income, medical needs, and long-term care plans. Proper trustee selection and precise drafting are necessary to ensure the trust supplements rather than supplants public benefits.
Funding the trust is a key component of the planning process. Families can fund a special needs trust through gifts, inheritances, retirement plan beneficiary designations, or transfers made during life. Each funding source brings tax and legal implications that should be evaluated so that benefits remain intact and the trust’s purposes are preserved. A special needs trust also sets rules about how distributions are made and for what purposes, typically allowing for expenses that enhance quality of life while avoiding payments that would count as income or assets under benefit program rules.
A special needs trust is a fiduciary arrangement that holds assets for a person with a disability, with the trustee authorized to use those assets for supplemental needs. Its core purpose is to safeguard eligibility for needs-based government benefits while providing funding for things that benefits do not cover. Trust language must be carefully drafted to define permitted uses, successor trustees, and procedures for distributions. Clarity about the trust’s terms reduces disputes and helps trustees make prudent decisions. The trust must also comply with applicable California and federal rules to achieve its intended protective functions.
Creating a special needs trust involves several important steps: gathering detailed information about the beneficiary’s benefits and needs, selecting a trustee or co-trustees, deciding on funding sources, and drafting provisions for distributions and oversight. The trustee’s duties should be spelled out, including recordkeeping, communication with benefit agencies, and coordination with care providers. The process often includes integrating the trust with other estate planning documents such as a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and health care directives so that the individual’s entire plan functions coherently. Ongoing review ensures the trust stays aligned with changes in laws or family circumstances.
Understanding terminology helps families navigate trust planning confidently. This glossary explains frequently used terms like trustee, beneficiary, third-party trust, first-party trust, payback provisions, and pour-over will. Knowing these definitions enables better discussions about trust structure, funding, and how distributions affect public benefits. Accurate use of terms also matters when coordinating with financial institutions, benefit administrators, and healthcare providers. Clear definitions on paper reduce confusion later and make it easier for trustees and family members to follow the trust’s intent and legal requirements.
A trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing trust assets and making distributions for the beneficiary according to the trust’s terms. Trustees must maintain accurate records, act in the beneficiary’s best interest, and understand how distributions may interact with public benefits. Responsibilities can include investing assets prudently, coordinating with providers, and filing required claims or notices. The trustee’s role is practical and fiduciary, balancing current needs with long-term financial preservation so that funds last and supplemental benefits are provided responsibly over time.
A payback provision requires that, upon the beneficiary’s death, funds remaining in a first-party special needs trust be used to reimburse certain government benefits, such as Medicaid, for costs paid on the beneficiary’s behalf. This provision is a legal requirement for many self-settled trusts created with the beneficiary’s own assets. The trustee must follow the state’s rules regarding claims and timelines for reimbursement. Proper planning can sometimes mitigate tax and reimbursement impacts through other estate tools and coordination with third-party funding when appropriate.
A third-party special needs trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, typically family members through gifts, inheritances, or designated beneficiary designations. Unlike self-settled trusts, third-party trusts often do not require payback to Medicaid and can provide more flexibility in how remaining assets are distributed after the beneficiary’s death. These trusts are commonly used to leave an inheritance for a person with disabilities while preserving government benefits and allowing family members to determine the ultimate disposition of trust assets in a manner consistent with the beneficiary’s care and family intentions.
A first-party special needs trust, sometimes called a self-settled trust, holds assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as a personal injury award, inheritance, or savings. Because the trust contains the beneficiary’s own resources, it typically must include a payback provision to reimburse Medicaid for benefits provided during the beneficiary’s lifetime. These trusts are carefully drafted to comply with federal and state law while still preserving the beneficiary’s access to necessary public programs. Trustees of these trusts must understand the payback rules and manage distributions accordingly.
Choosing between trust types and related legal structures depends on family goals, the beneficiary’s current and anticipated benefits, and the sources of funding. Third-party trusts offer post-death flexibility and can avoid payback demands, while first-party trusts are necessary when the beneficiary’s own assets must be protected. Alternatives include pooled trusts managed by nonprofit organizations and limited arrangements that address a single need. Comparing options involves evaluating tax considerations, administrative requirements, and how each choice will affect long-term care, housing plans, and eligibility for government assistance.
A limited approach can be appropriate when the beneficiary’s needs are expected to be modest and short term, or when existing benefits already cover most essential services. For example, families anticipating a temporary period of increased expenses for therapy or transitional housing might use restricted planning tools to address those immediate needs without implementing a full estate plan. Limited measures can also be useful while families gather more information about long-term care options or wait to see how a beneficiary’s circumstances evolve before committing to a permanent trust structure.
When the beneficiary has few assets and public benefits are reliably meeting ongoing needs, a full special needs trust may not be necessary. In such cases, families might focus on implementing simple protections like designating appropriate beneficiaries on accounts, creating durable powers of attorney for finances and health care, and making modest gifts that do not trigger benefit loss. A limited plan should still anticipate changes and include provisions to escalate planning if the beneficiary’s financial situation or care requirements grow more complex in the future.
Comprehensive planning is typically necessary when the beneficiary’s needs are complex, when multiple funding sources are available, or when the family intends to coordinate long-term supports. A thorough plan considers retirement accounts, life insurance, real estate, and potential future inheritances so that funding the trust does not inadvertently trigger benefit disqualification or unfavorable tax consequences. Integrated planning also addresses trustee succession, ongoing administration, and contingencies like changes in public benefit rules, ensuring the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s evolving needs over many years.
A full-service planning approach helps families coordinate trust provisions with public benefit eligibility, long-term care expectations, and housing or care arrangements. This coordination reduces the risk that trust distributions will be treated as countable resources or income by benefit administrators. Comprehensive planning also prepares successors and trustees to manage assets and work with care teams, ensuring continuity. Families that want durable solutions, clear decision-making authority, and minimized administrative friction often pursue a comprehensive legal plan rather than ad hoc measures.
A comprehensive approach offers multiple advantages: it preserves eligibility for benefits, provides a mechanism for prudent financial management, addresses tax and funding questions, and sets clear rules for trustee decision-making. This approach also allows families to tailor support for education, therapies, assistive technologies, transportation, and lifestyle enhancements that public programs do not cover. Comprehensive planning reduces uncertainty, helps prevent disputes among family members, and can make it easier for trustees to act confidently and responsibly when managing the beneficiary’s resources.
In addition to protecting benefits, a thorough plan can address successor arrangements, provide instructions for end-of-life care and funeral expenses, and integrate with broader estate documents like pour-over wills and powers of attorney. Establishing these structures in advance reduces stress for caregivers, ensures continuity of care, and helps protect the beneficiary’s quality of life. Families also gain peace of mind knowing there is an organized financial plan in place to support long-term needs and respond to changing circumstances or regulatory shifts.
A well-crafted special needs trust preserves access to means-tested public benefits while providing funds for additional support that enhances daily living. Thoughtful drafting ensures distributions are made for permissible uses—such as medical equipment, therapies, or educational expenses—without being counted as a personal asset or income. Trustees who understand benefit rules can plan distributions strategically so the beneficiary receives supplemental care and comfort while maintaining eligibility. This balance between public support and privately funded enhancements is a primary benefit for many families creating these trusts.
Clarity in governance and trustee guidance reduces disputes and promotes consistent decision-making for the beneficiary’s welfare. Comprehensive documents define trustee duties, spending priorities, and oversight processes so that successors can manage resources responsibly when circumstances change. This institutional structure also makes it easier to coordinate with care providers, financial institutions, and public benefit agencies. Having a written plan that anticipates future transitions ensures that the beneficiary’s needs will be met reliably even if family caregivers are no longer available to handle day-to-day decisions.
Start by compiling detailed records of the beneficiary’s current benefits, medical needs, and regular expenses. This information will inform whether a trust is immediately necessary and how it should be structured. Include documentation for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, medical records, housing arrangements, therapy schedules, and anticipated future expenses. A comprehensive inventory makes it easier to design distribution rules that complement public coverage and helps trustees make informed spending decisions. Periodic updates to these records ensure the trust continues to meet changing needs and benefit requirements.
Plan how the trust will be funded through wills, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, or outright gifts. Use funding strategies that minimize tax consequences and preserve public benefits. Review and update beneficiary designations and estate documents to ensure assets flow into the trust as intended, such as using a pour-over will that directs probate assets into the special needs trust. Careful coordination helps prevent accidental disqualification of benefits and ensures resources are available when the beneficiary needs them most.
Consider a special needs trust when a person with disabilities receives means-tested benefits and a family wants to provide additional financial support that does not interfere with eligibility. Trusts are also appropriate when a beneficiary receives a lump sum—such as an inheritance or settlement—or when parents seek to plan for care after they are no longer able to provide day-to-day support. Planning now can prevent future financial hardship, reduce stress on caregivers, and ensure the beneficiary’s quality of life is managed responsibly through clear distribution rules and an appointed trustee.
Other reasons to consider a trust include the desire to structure long-term housing plans, pay for therapies or assistive services, and create a mechanism that preserves funds for future needs. Parents and family members often appreciate that a trust can delineate how money should be spent for the beneficiary’s benefit while establishing oversight and continuity. When family assets are likely to change, or when there is uncertainty about future care needs, implementing a special needs trust can be a prudent step to ensure financial resources are protected and used in ways that directly benefit the individual.
Families commonly seek special needs trusts after receiving an inheritance, a settlement, or when planning for long-term support transitions. Situations include a beneficiary aging out of parental care, changes in housing needs, anticipated medical procedures, or when family members wish to leave assets in a way that complements public benefits. Trusts are also used when planning for a child with disabilities to ensure funds are managed responsibly throughout adulthood. Each family’s circumstances are unique, so tailored planning is necessary to address specific financial, medical, and lifestyle factors.
When a beneficiary is set to receive a lump sum or inheritance, placing those assets into a special needs trust can protect benefits and provide structured support. Without a trust, a direct inheritance could jeopardize eligibility for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income by increasing countable resources. A trust ensures that funds are used for permissible supplemental purposes like adaptive equipment, therapies, enrichment activities, and other quality-of-life expenses. Thoughtful planning after a windfall preserves long-term benefits and avoids unintended loss of essential public assistance.
Transitions such as a beneficiary moving from parental care to independent living can raise financial and administrative challenges. A special needs trust can provide structured financial support for housing, transportation, vocational training, and day-to-day needs while preserving eligibility for government programs that provide healthcare and basic income support. Trusts also identify trustees or trusteeship plans to manage resources during transitions, ensuring continuity of care and financial oversight when family caregivers step back or responsibilities shift among relatives.
When a beneficiary requires ongoing therapies, adaptive equipment, or long-term care planning, a trust offers a reliable funding mechanism for those supplemental services. By directing distributions for items and services that public benefits may not cover, the trust ensures continuity of care and quality of life enhancements. Trustees can budget and prioritize expenditures according to the beneficiary’s evolving needs, working with care providers to align spending with therapeutic goals. This approach helps families plan proactively rather than reacting to financial emergencies.
Our Lancaster-focused services are designed to help families throughout Los Angeles County navigate special needs trust planning with practical, personalized support. We begin by listening to each family’s priorities and reviewing benefit status, then explain options and recommend an approach that aligns with the beneficiary’s needs and family objectives. From drafting trust documents to coordinating funding and training trustees, we offer hands-on guidance. Clients value direct communication and a clear plan that reduces uncertainty and organizes long-term resources for the person with disabilities.
Families choose our firm because we combine experience in California estate planning with a practical approach to special needs trust design and administration. We prioritize listening to families, explaining legal options in accessible terms, and crafting documents that reflect the family’s values and financial realities. Our services include trust drafting, funding coordination, and trustee guidance so that plans function smoothly over time. We work to minimize administrative burdens and focus on delivering durable solutions that protect benefits and enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life.
We assist clients across Los Angeles County with drafting associated estate documents like revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and guardianship nominations when appropriate. Our comprehensive approach ensures that trusts are integrated with the client’s broader estate plan, reducing the likelihood of unintended consequences after major life events. Clear instructions and succession planning help families feel confident that support will continue even as circumstances evolve over time.
Communication and responsiveness are central to our practice. We guide trustees through administrative responsibilities, coordinate with benefit administrators, and help families update plans as laws or personal situations change. Our goal is pragmatic: to create plans that are manageable, sustainable, and focused on the beneficiary’s day-to-day needs. We welcome questions and work collaboratively to build durable planning solutions that families can rely on when making important decisions about care and financial security.
Our process begins with a detailed intake to understand the beneficiary’s benefits, financial resources, medical needs, and family goals. We then review relevant documents and propose a tailored trust structure, discussing funding options and trustee responsibilities. Drafting is followed by a review meeting to ensure the plan reflects the family’s intentions. We assist with funding actions, coordinate beneficiary designations, and provide trustee training and ongoing support. Periodic reviews are recommended so the trust remains effective as laws and circumstances change.
The first step involves collecting comprehensive information about the beneficiary’s current benefits, medical needs, income, and assets that could affect planning choices. We request documentation for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, any existing trusts or wills, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and potential future inheritances. This review helps determine whether a first-party or third-party trust is appropriate and informs decisions about funding strategies, trustee selection, and the interaction between trust distributions and public benefits. Clear documentation reduces errors and speeds implementation.
Collecting accurate financial and medical documentation allows us to tailor a trust to the beneficiary’s reality. Important items include recent benefit award letters, medical reports, lists of monthly expenses, account statements, and information about any anticipated settlements or inheritances. This data helps identify which assets are countable for benefits and which can be directed into trust structures. Gathering documents early avoids delays and ensures that drafting and funding steps proceed smoothly so the trust will serve its protective purpose effectively.
Assessing eligibility for public benefits and deciding the appropriate timing for trust creation are essential. Some situations require immediate action to protect benefits, while others allow time for careful coordination of funding sources. We evaluate whether a first-party trust with a payback provision is necessary or whether a third-party trust funded by family assets is more appropriate. Timing affects tax implications, benefit eligibility, and available funding options, so a deliberate assessment helps families choose the most advantageous strategy.
In the second stage, we draft the trust document and related estate planning instruments tailored to the beneficiary’s needs. Drafting includes clear distribution standards, trustee powers and duties, successor trustee provisions, and any required payback language. We coordinate the trust with pour-over wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and other documents so an integrated plan functions cohesively. Clients review drafts, suggest adjustments, and finalize the documents in a signing meeting where we explain implementation and funding steps in plain language.
Drafting trust terms involves specifying permitted uses of trust funds, distribution procedures, and trustee authority for investments, payments, and recordkeeping. Strong drafting anticipates future needs and provides guidance to trustees about permissible supplemental purchases. Trustee powers should be balanced to allow effective administration without unnecessary restriction. Clear, practical language helps prevent misinterpretation and makes it easier for trustees to exercise judgment that aligns with the beneficiary’s best interests and the family’s intentions.
Supporting documents ensure that assets flow into the trust as intended and that decision-making authority is clearly designated. We prepare pour-over wills to capture probate assets, powers of attorney for financial management, advance health care directives for medical decisions, HIPAA authorizations for access to health information, and guardianship nominations when appropriate. Coordination of these documents reduces administrative complexity and helps preserve the beneficiary’s benefits while providing a complete plan for future contingencies.
After signing, funding the trust and implementing practical administration steps are critical. Funding may involve retitling accounts, updating beneficiary designations, transferring assets, or coordinating an inheritance through a pour-over will. We assist clients with these tasks, advise trustees on recordkeeping and distributions, and provide guidance on communicating with public benefit agencies. Ongoing support helps trustees understand reporting obligations and ensures distributions are made in ways that supplement benefits rather than create disqualification risks.
Transferring assets into the trust and updating beneficiary designations are practical steps that complete the funding process. This may involve changing titles on accounts, assigning life insurance or retirement plan benefits to the trust or to third-party structures, and ensuring real estate or other property is correctly handled. Each transfer should be coordinated with tax and benefit considerations in mind. We help clients with these administrative tasks to ensure assets are accessible to the trustee and properly protected for the beneficiary’s use.
Trustee training and ongoing support are essential to effective administration. Trustees need guidance on permissible distributions, recordkeeping practices, and communication with benefit agencies and care providers. We offer orientation and continuing assistance to answer questions that arise during administration, help with annual accounting duties, and advise on interactions with government programs. Regular reviews of trust performance and updates to reflect changes in law or family circumstances help ensure that the trust continues to serve the beneficiary effectively over time.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement created to hold assets for a person with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for means-tested public benefits. The trust allows a trustee to manage and distribute funds for supplemental needs that government programs may not cover, such as therapies, education, adaptive equipment, and recreational activities. Establishing a trust helps families provide for quality-of-life expenses without those assets being treated as the beneficiary’s personal resources under benefit rules. Families may need a special needs trust when a beneficiary has limited means but could receive inheritances, settlements, or family gifts that would exceed benefit resource limits. A trust can also be appropriate when parents want to ensure funds are managed responsibly after they are no longer able to provide day-to-day care. The choice of trust type depends on who is funding it and the beneficiary’s existing benefits.
Special needs trusts are designed to prevent assets held in trust from being counted as part of the beneficiary’s personal resources for purposes of Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, provided the trust is properly structured. The precise effect on benefits depends on the trust type, its terms, and how distributions are made. Trustees must understand what types of distributions are permissible so that payments do not inadvertently become countable income or resources. Coordination with benefit administrators is often necessary to confirm how a given trust will be treated. A third-party trust funded by family members generally preserves benefits, while a first-party or self-settled trust created with the beneficiary’s assets typically requires a payback clause to reimburse Medicaid upon the beneficiary’s death. Handling distributions correctly is essential to maintaining eligibility.
A first-party special needs trust holds assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as a personal injury settlement or savings. Because these are the beneficiary’s own resources, federal rules often require a payback provision to reimburse Medicaid for benefits provided during the beneficiary’s lifetime. These trusts are subject to specific statutory requirements and must be drafted carefully to comply with those rules. A third-party special needs trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary—commonly parents or other relatives. Third-party trusts generally do not require a payback to Medicaid and allow family members greater flexibility in directing how remaining assets are distributed after the beneficiary’s death. Choice between the two depends on who owns the assets and family planning goals.
Yes, a special needs trust can be used to pay for housing-related expenses and education costs, but there are important limitations and considerations. Housing payments must be structured so they do not count as the beneficiary’s income or resources in a way that jeopardizes benefits. In some cases, trustee payments for rent or supportive housing services are permissible if guidelines are followed and they supplement rather than replace benefits. Education expenses can often be paid from trust funds, including tutoring, vocational training, or special programs that enhance the beneficiary’s skills. Trustees should document how each expense supports the beneficiary’s supplemental needs and coordinate with benefit administrators as needed to avoid unintended impacts on eligibility.
Selecting a trustee requires careful thought about who can manage finances responsibly, keep accurate records, communicate with service providers, and make thoughtful decisions in the beneficiary’s best interest. Trustees may be family members, trusted friends, or professional fiduciaries. The role includes budgeting, making distributions according to the trust terms, filing reports when required, and coordinating with benefit agencies and providers. Trustee duties also include safeguarding assets and planning for continuity through successor trustees. It is important to name alternates and to provide clear written guidelines for distributions and investment policy, so trustees have the direction needed to act confidently and consistently over time.
Common ways to fund a special needs trust include gifts from family members, inheritance through a will or life insurance proceeds, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts redirected into the trust, and transfers of property or cash into the trust. Each funding source carries particular tax and legal considerations; for example, retirement accounts require cautious planning to address income tax consequences, while direct transfers must be coordinated so public benefits are preserved. When a beneficiary receives a settlement or inheritance, a first-party trust may be required to protect benefits, whereas family members often fund third-party trusts through estate planning documents. Funding should be coordinated with an overall estate plan to ensure assets flow into the trust as intended and that tax and benefit implications are considered.
What happens to remaining trust assets at the beneficiary’s death depends on the trust terms and the trust type. For first-party trusts, federal rules often require that remaining assets be used to reimburse Medicaid for benefits paid on the beneficiary’s behalf before any leftover funds can be distributed. For third-party trusts, the grantor can specify who receives remaining assets, such as other family members or charitable organizations, without a mandatory payback requirement. Trust language should clearly set out the remainder beneficiaries and any priorities for distribution. Proper drafting helps prevent disputes and ensures the grantor’s wishes are carried out while complying with applicable reimbursement requirements for self-settled trusts.
The time required to set up a special needs trust depends on the complexity of the beneficiary’s circumstances and funding sources. Simple third-party trusts may be prepared and executed relatively quickly once funding decisions are made, while first-party trusts tied to settlements or estate transfers may require additional documentation and coordination. Typical timelines include intake and benefits review, drafting, client review, and a signing meeting, followed by funding actions that can take additional time depending on financial institutions and probate timing. Complex cases that involve coordinating retirement accounts, real estate transfers, or litigation settlements may require more time and multiple coordination steps. Working with a planning team and preparing documentation in advance can streamline the process and reduce delays during funding and implementation stages.
A special needs trust is primarily a benefits protection and asset management tool rather than a tax-saving device, though certain planning techniques can have tax implications worth considering. For example, third-party trusts may be structured to provide post-death distributions in a tax-efficient manner depending on the assets involved. Retirement accounts, life insurance, and other assets have unique tax profiles that should be coordinated when funding a trust to avoid unnecessary tax burdens. Tax outcomes depend on the types of assets placed into the trust and how distributions are handled. Consulting about tax consequences during trust design helps families minimize potential tax liabilities and select funding methods that align with both benefit preservation and tax planning goals.
Special needs trusts should be reviewed whenever there are significant life changes, such as changes in the beneficiary’s health, new benefits or loss of benefits, receipt of an inheritance, or changes in family circumstances. Periodic review every few years is recommended to confirm that trustee provisions, funding strategies, and distribution standards remain aligned with the beneficiary’s needs and applicable law. Regular reviews reduce the risk that the trust will become outdated or create unintended consequences. Laws governing public benefits and tax rules may change, which can affect how trusts operate. An occasional review also provides an opportunity to re-evaluate trustee performance, succession plans, and whether additional funding or structural adjustments are warranted to protect the beneficiary’s long-term welfare.
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