A special needs trust can help preserve public benefits while providing for the unique needs of a loved one with disabilities. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we assist families in Rio Linda and surrounding Sacramento County with careful planning that integrates trust administration, coordination with government benefit programs, and flexible provisions for supplemental support. This service page explains how a special needs trust operates, common trust structures like revocable and irrevocable trusts, and other estate planning tools such as wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives that work together to protect a beneficiary’s long-term security and quality of life.
Creating a properly drafted special needs trust requires attention to both legal detail and the family’s personal priorities. Our approach centers on identifying the beneficiary’s likely needs, coordinating benefits such as SSI and Medi-Cal, and crafting trust terms that allow for discretionary distributions for housing, education, therapy, and other items not covered by public benefits. We also explain how related documents like pour-over wills, trust funding instruments, and guardianship nominations can support a complete plan. This guide provides practical information for families considering a trust in Rio Linda and highlights how careful planning can ease future decision-making.
A special needs trust preserves government benefit eligibility while allowing funds to be used for supplemental care and quality-of-life expenses that public programs typically do not cover. Proper planning helps avoid interruptions to benefits, provides a framework for trusted management of resources, and creates a mechanism to pay for therapies, transportation, equipment, educational opportunities, and other supports tailored to the beneficiary. For families in Rio Linda, a trust can deliver financial stability, reduce caregiver stress, and ensure long-term oversight. Thoughtful provisions and trustee guidance also help prevent disputes and provide a clear path for future caregivers to follow.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients across California with a focus on estate planning matters, including special needs trusts and supporting documents like wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Our practice emphasizes practical solutions, attentive client communication, and careful drafting that reflects each family’s circumstances. Whether you are assembling a revocable living trust, considering an irrevocable life insurance trust, or preparing guardianship nominations, we work to create plans that are responsive to both legal requirements and the day-to-day needs of care for a loved one with disabilities.
A special needs trust is a legal instrument designed to hold assets for a person with disabilities without disqualifying them from public assistance programs. Trusts can be set up by parents, family members, or through a court process and may be structured as first-party, third-party, or pooled trusts depending on funding sources and goals. The trust language must be precise to avoid counting trust assets toward means-tested benefits. With proper drafting, the trust enables discretionary distributions for things that enhance the beneficiary’s life while preserving eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal.
The trust’s trustee manages funds, makes distributions in accordance with the trust terms, and must balance the beneficiary’s needs with preservation of benefits. Selecting an appropriate trustee and establishing clear distribution standards are important planning decisions. Funding the trust, whether through direct transfers, proceeds from life insurance, or a pour-over will, is another essential step. For many families in Rio Linda, coordinated planning that includes financial powers of attorney, HIPAA authorizations, and guardianship nominations creates a cohesive system for protecting the beneficiary’s present and future needs.
A special needs trust is a dedicated legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while preserving eligibility for public programs that assess need. The trust is managed by a trustee who follows instructions in the trust document to make discretionary distributions for supplemental goods and services. Special needs trusts can be tailored to the beneficiary’s anticipated medical, educational, housing, and recreational needs. They often operate alongside other estate planning documents and can be funded during the grantor’s lifetime or at death, depending on the type of trust chosen and the family’s goals.
Establishing a special needs trust typically involves drafting precise trust language, selecting a trustee, planning how the trust will be funded, and coordinating with benefit programs. The process often includes gathering financial information, documenting the beneficiary’s current service needs, and assessing available public benefits. Additional steps may include preparing a pour-over will, creating a certification of trust for institutions, and considering supporting documents such as HIPAA authorizations and guardianship nominations. Ongoing administration, including recordkeeping and periodic reviews, ensures the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s changing needs.
Understanding commonly used terms helps families make informed planning decisions. This glossary covers essential concepts such as trustee responsibilities, beneficiary rights, trust funding, governmental benefit coordination, and related estate planning tools. Familiarity with these terms makes it easier to evaluate different trust structures, communicate with professionals, and manage expectations for how funds will be used. Clear definitions also support better coordination with care providers and agencies that determine benefit eligibility in Sacramento County and beyond.
A trustee is the individual or entity responsible for managing trust assets and making distributions in accordance with the trust terms. Trustees must act in a fiduciary capacity, keep accurate records, and make prudent decisions aimed at meeting the beneficiary’s needs while protecting public benefits. In many cases, trustees coordinate with caregivers and service providers to ensure distributions are used appropriately. Families may name a trusted family member, a professional fiduciary, or a trust company, and may include successor trustee provisions to ensure continuity of management over time.
A first-party trust is funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as an inheritance, settlement proceeds, or personal savings. These trusts often include a payback provision to reimburse the state for public benefits provided during the beneficiary’s life, in certain circumstances. First-party trusts must be carefully drafted to comply with legal requirements that preserve eligibility for means-tested benefits. They are commonly used when an individual with a disability receives a settlement or inherits assets and immediate preservation of benefits is necessary.
A third-party trust is created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, commonly by parents or other family members. Because these trusts do not contain a payback obligation to the state, distributions can be made for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs without a requirement to reimburse government programs. Third-party trusts can be ideal for long-term planning since they allow families to leave assets intact for the beneficiary’s care while avoiding direct claims by public benefit programs. Terms can be tailored to meet family preferences and protect assets for future generations.
A pooled trust is established and managed by a nonprofit organization that pools and invests funds from multiple beneficiaries while maintaining separate accounts for each participant. Pooled trusts can be a cost-effective option for managing smaller sums or for individuals who prefer the oversight of an established organization. Some pooled trusts accept first-party funds and may include a payback provision to the state. Pooled trusts often offer professional administration and reduced administrative burdens for families who prefer not to manage trust investments and distributions themselves.
When planning for a person with disabilities, families can choose between limited approaches that address a single issue and comprehensive plans that integrate multiple documents and strategies. Limited approaches might focus on a single trust or a basic will, while comprehensive plans coordinate trusts with powers of attorney, health care directives, and funding mechanisms. Comprehensive planning typically results in a more resilient structure that anticipates life changes and reduces the likelihood of unintended consequences. Evaluating the costs, the complexity of the beneficiary’s needs, and long-term goals helps determine the most appropriate approach.
A targeted or limited planning approach may be suitable when the beneficiary’s financial situation and care needs are straightforward, such as when anticipated expenses are modest and the family has clear short-term goals. In such cases, a narrowly drafted trust or a modest set of documents can preserve benefits while addressing immediate concerns. This approach can be quicker and less costly to implement, and it can still provide meaningful protections. Families should periodically review even limited plans to ensure they remain aligned with evolving circumstances and benefit program rules.
A limited strategy can also make sense as a temporary measure when a family is addressing a sudden need or anticipating a future, more complex plan. For example, a short-term trust funded with immediate settlement proceeds or a provisional guardianship nomination can bridge a transition period while longer-term arrangements are developed. A transitional approach allows families to preserve benefits and provide necessary support quickly, while keeping options open for later adjustments that reflect more comprehensive goals and resources.
Comprehensive planning is important when a family’s assets, sources of funding, or the beneficiary’s care needs are significant or complex. When multiple accounts, real property, retirement benefits, or life insurance are involved, integrating those assets into a coordinated plan reduces the chance that distributions will unintentionally affect benefits. A well-structured comprehensive plan also clarifies succession of trusteeship, establishes distribution standards, and documents how different instruments such as irrevocable trusts or retirement plan trusts fit together to protect both benefits and quality-of-life expenditures.
A comprehensive approach is often preferred when families anticipate long-term care needs or when planning goals extend across generations. Such a plan can provide for the beneficiary’s lifetime needs while preserving assets for other family members or successor beneficiaries under specified conditions. Comprehensive arrangements can incorporate irrevocable life insurance trusts, retirement plan trusts, and trust modification provisions to address changing circumstances. Careful drafting supports continuity of care and provides a framework for trustees and caregivers to follow for many years.
A comprehensive plan helps reduce uncertainty by documenting decision-making authority, funding strategies, and how resources should be used for the beneficiary’s benefit. It minimizes the risk that assets will unintentionally jeopardize government benefits and creates contingency paths for trustee succession, potential modifications, and funding from multiple sources. Comprehensive documents often include instructions that are easier for financial institutions, care providers, and government agencies to interpret, reducing administrative friction and helping families focus on day-to-day care rather than legal complications.
Additionally, comprehensive planning can protect the family from future disputes by clarifying intentions and distribution priorities. When a trust is integrated with a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and health care directives, transitions after the grantor’s incapacity or passing are smoother and more predictable. The holistic view also enables proactive tax planning where appropriate, efficient funding of the trust, and the selection of trustees who understand their responsibilities. The result is a cohesive plan that supports sustainable care and peace of mind for caregivers and loved ones.
One of the primary benefits of a comprehensive trust plan is preserving eligibility for means-tested public benefits while allowing discretionary use of supplemental funds. Thoughtful drafting and appropriate funding methods prevent the trust assets from being counted against benefit thresholds. This preservation enables beneficiaries to receive medical care, housing assistance, and other essential services through public programs, while supplementary resources from the trust cover additional goods, therapies, or enrichment activities that enhance daily living and well-being without jeopardizing benefits.
Comprehensive planning establishes a long-term structure for managing resources with clear rules for distributions, recordkeeping, and trustee duties. This structure supports consistent care, prevents misuse of funds, and ensures that future changes in circumstances can be handled through defined modification provisions or successor trustee arrangements. By creating a documented plan, families reduce the risk of conflict and provide a practical roadmap for caregivers and fiduciaries, which contributes to both financial stewardship and improved continuity of care over time.
Begin planning by compiling a thorough inventory of the beneficiary’s current needs, service providers, income sources, and liquid and non-liquid assets. Documenting monthly living expenses, therapies, housing considerations, and anticipated future needs helps clarify how a trust should be structured and funded. Include information on existing public benefits, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and any pending settlements. This preparation reduces back-and-forth during drafting, enables more accurate funding plans such as pour-over wills or retirement plan trusts, and helps ensure the trust terms reflect real practical needs.
A special needs trust should be part of a broader estate plan that includes pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and any necessary guardianship nominations. Coordinate the funding strategy so assets flow into the trust as intended, and review beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance to avoid unintended disqualification of benefits. Regular reviews ensure documents remain aligned with the beneficiary’s needs and with changes in laws or government programs, helping maintain benefits and quality of life for the long term.
Families should consider a special needs trust whenever a loved one with disabilities may need supplemental support beyond what public benefits cover, or when an inheritance, settlement, or life insurance proceeds could affect eligibility. A trust is also important when long-term care needs are anticipated, or when family members want to designate a reliable structure for managing funds on the beneficiary’s behalf. Establishing clear governance through a trust and related estate planning documents helps protect financial resources and ensures that distributions serve the individual’s best interests without endangering essential benefits.
Planning with a special needs trust can reduce uncertainty and administrative burdens for caregivers and successor decision makers. It provides a formal mechanism for balancing flexibility and benefit protection, whether the trust is funded during the grantor’s lifetime or through a pour-over will at death. Families with complex assets, multiple potential funding sources, or the need for long-term continuity should particularly consider a comprehensive approach that addresses funding, trustee selection, and interactions with public assistance programs to preserve both care and benefits.
Several common scenarios prompt the need for a special needs trust: receiving a personal injury settlement, inheriting assets, obtaining life insurance proceeds, or anticipating changes to public benefits. Other triggers include planning for a child or adult with disabilities as parents age, coordinating care for long-term housing or specialized therapies, and structuring resources after the death of a primary caregiver. In each of these circumstances, thoughtful trust planning can preserve eligibility for public programs while providing supplemental support that enhances daily life.
When an individual with disabilities receives settlement proceeds or an inheritance, placing those funds into a properly drafted special needs trust can preserve eligibility for means-tested programs. A first-party trust may be necessary for funds that belong to the beneficiary, and appropriate payback language should be considered where required. Prompt action to draft and fund the trust reduces the risk that benefits will be disrupted and provides a framework for managing the settlement or inheritance in a way that supports long-term care and supplemental needs.
When a beneficiary is expected to require long-term medical care, therapy, or specialized housing, a trust can help structure resources for those needs without disqualifying benefits. Trust provisions can target distributions for adaptive equipment, transportation, personal care attendants, and enrichment activities that improve quality of life. Integrating this planning with health care directives and guardianship nominations ensures that decision makers have the legal authority and financial tools needed to maintain steady care and adapt to changing needs over time.
As parents and primary caregivers age, it becomes increasingly important to have a plan that designates trustees, outlines distribution priorities, and ensures continuity of care. A special needs trust, together with powers of attorney and a pour-over will, can provide a reliable path for transferring management responsibilities without interrupting benefits. Advance planning also creates time to educate successor trustees, coordinate with service providers, and make funding arrangements that reflect the family’s preferences for the beneficiary’s lifestyle and support.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman is available to assist families in Rio Linda with special needs trust planning and related estate documents. We help clients understand options such as third-party and first-party trusts, pooled trust arrangements, and how to coordinate trusts with beneficiary designations and payment sources. Our goal is to create a clear, practical plan that protects benefits, supports quality-of-life needs, and reduces stress for caregivers. Local knowledge of Sacramento County procedures and benefit programs informs our recommendations so families can make informed choices.
Clients work with the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman because we focus on careful, client-centered planning that addresses both legal and practical needs. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, comprehensive document preparation, and thoughtful funding strategies that align with family priorities. We work to ensure trust language is precise and that the trust integrates smoothly with other estate planning instruments, so that trustees and caregivers have a straightforward framework to follow in administering funds and coordinating with benefit programs.
We guide families through decisions about trustee selection, funding sources, and distribution standards while explaining how choices affect public benefits. Our practice includes preparing supportive documents such as pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, HIPAA authorizations, and guardianship nominations where appropriate. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term contingencies, we help families create plans that remain practical as circumstances change. Ongoing review and updates are encouraged to keep plans current with legal developments and family transitions.
From initial consultations through trust drafting and final funding, we aim to reduce administrative burdens on families and make complex decisions more manageable. We provide realistic guidance about timelines and documentation needed to implement a trust effectively, and we assist with interactions with financial institutions and benefit agencies when required. Our practice is designed to help families in Rio Linda and Sacramento County implement plans that protect essential benefits and support the beneficiary’s day-to-day needs and longer-term wellbeing.
Our process begins with an intake meeting to gather family circumstances, financial details, and goals for the beneficiary. We review public benefits, assess funding options, and recommend a trust structure that fits those needs. After agreeing on the plan, we draft the trust and related documents, assist with funding mechanisms such as pour-over wills or beneficiary designations, and provide guidance on trustee duties and recordkeeping. We also offer follow-up reviews to adjust planning as circumstances change and to ensure continued coordination with benefit programs.
The first step focuses on understanding the beneficiary’s situation, family objectives, and available resources. We collect documentation such as income statements, lists of assets, current benefits, medical and care plans, and any pending settlements. This fact-finding stage helps determine whether a first-party, third-party, or pooled trust is most appropriate and clarifies how other estate planning instruments should be coordinated. Clear information at the outset allows us to design a trust that meets legal requirements and the family’s practical goals.
During the initial assessment, we evaluate existing public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal, and identify potential risks to eligibility. We also document the beneficiary’s current services, medical needs, and likely future expenses. This analysis informs the trust’s distribution standards and funding decisions. Understanding both the legal constraints of benefits programs and the beneficiary’s day-to-day needs ensures that trust language supports continued eligibility while allowing for meaningful supplemental distributions.
We review the family’s assets, including bank accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, property, and any anticipated settlements. Determining how to fund the trust—whether through direct transfers, pour-over provisions, insurance proceeds, or other means—is a core consideration. Proper coordination of beneficiary designations and account titling prevents unintended disqualification of benefits and ensures that resources flow into the trust as intended. Early decisions about funding simplify administration and reduce the need for later modifications.
Once the plan is defined, we draft the trust and any supporting instruments tailored to the family’s objectives. Drafting includes clear distribution standards, trustee powers and limits, successor trustee provisions, and state-specific clauses that reflect California law and local practices in Sacramento County. Supporting documents can include a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and certifications of trust for institutions. The drafting phase focuses on precision to avoid ambiguity in administration.
Tailoring the trust language ensures the trustee has the authority needed to manage resources while preserving benefits. Clear examples of permissible distributions, guidelines for housing or education expenses, and instructions for responding to changes in benefits help trustees act confidently. Tailored provisions also address whether the trust will include payback language, how to handle pooled trust participation if chosen, and rules for successor administration. Well-drafted terms reduce the potential for future disputes and provide practical direction for managing the trust effectively.
Supporting documents complete the plan and help ensure assets transfer smoothly to the trust. A pour-over will directs probate assets into the trust, while powers of attorney and health care directives designate who will make financial and medical decisions if the grantor cannot. A certification of trust can help institutions accept trust authority without exposing private details. These documents work together to provide continuity of care, protect benefits, and simplify administration for trustees and family members.
After documents are signed, funding the trust and implementing administrative processes are critical. Funding can involve retitling accounts, designating the trust as a beneficiary, or arranging for pour-over provisions. Trustees should establish accounting practices, maintain records of distributions, and coordinate with benefit offices as necessary. Periodic reviews are important to address changes in laws, benefits rules, or the beneficiary’s needs. Ongoing administration includes careful recordkeeping, prudent asset management, and regular communication with caregivers to ensure the trust continues to serve its purpose.
Funding the trust may include transferring bank accounts, naming the trust as a beneficiary on life insurance or retirement accounts where appropriate, and updating titles for real property. For probate assets, a pour-over will can move assets into the trust after probate. Proper funding prevents assets from being subject to the beneficiary’s personal ownership or being counted toward benefit eligibility. We assist clients with practical steps and institutional coordination to ensure funding occurs as planned and that records reflect the trust’s holdings accurately.
Trustees have ongoing duties such as managing investments prudently, keeping accurate records, preparing annual accountings when necessary, and making distributions consistent with the trust terms. Regular reviews of the trust and related documents help address changes in the beneficiary’s needs, family circumstances, or benefit program rules. Periodic consultation with legal counsel can help trustees adapt to new situations, update distribution standards, and coordinate with service providers to ensure the beneficiary continues to receive appropriate support without jeopardizing eligibility.
A special needs trust is designed to hold assets for an individual with disabilities while preserving eligibility for means-tested public benefits. The trust allows discretionary distributions for supplemental goods and services that public programs typically do not provide, such as therapies, vehicle modifications, or enrichment activities. By keeping funds in a properly drafted trust, the beneficiary can receive both public benefits and additional support from the trust without the assets being counted toward eligibility limits. Creating a trust involves choosing the appropriate type of trust, naming a trustee, and specifying distribution standards. The trust should be drafted in compliance with state and federal benefit rules to ensure it functions as intended. Families often pair the trust with a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and health care directives to form a comprehensive plan that addresses both financial management and medical decision-making.
When a special needs trust is properly structured, the assets in the trust generally are not considered the beneficiary’s resources for determining eligibility for means-tested programs like SSI and Medi-Cal. This is achieved through careful drafting that clarifies the trustee’s discretion and the trust’s purpose for supplemental needs. The distinction between first-party and third-party trusts, and the presence of any payback provisions, can affect how benefit eligibility is treated and whether any reimbursement to the state is required upon the beneficiary’s death. Coordination with benefit agencies and ongoing compliance are important to maintain eligibility. Trustees should be mindful of distribution timing and purposes, keep accurate records, and seek guidance when benefits rules change. Regular reviews help ensure that the trust continues to protect benefits while meeting the beneficiary’s supplemental needs.
A trustee can be a trusted family member, friend, professional fiduciary, or a corporate trustee, depending on the family’s needs and the trust’s complexity. The ideal trustee is someone who can manage financial matters responsibly, communicate effectively with caregivers and service providers, and follow the trust’s distribution standards. Successor trustees should also be named to provide continuity in the event the initial trustee becomes unable to serve. Families sometimes choose a professional or institutional trustee when the trust assets are substantial, when investment management is needed, or when impartial administration is preferred. Regardless of who is chosen, clear written guidance and ongoing communication make administration smoother and protect the beneficiary’s interests over time.
First-party trusts are funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as settlements or inheritances, and often include payback provisions to reimburse public benefit programs upon the beneficiary’s death. Third-party trusts are created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, such as parents, and typically do not require payback to the state. Each type of trust serves different planning goals and has distinct implications for funding and how distributions affect benefits. Choosing between these options depends on the source of funds and long-term objectives. A family with assets they wish to direct to the beneficiary without impacting benefits may prefer a third-party trust, while a beneficiary who unexpectedly receives funds may need a first-party trust to preserve immediate benefits. Careful drafting ensures compliance with applicable rules.
A pooled trust may be appropriate when funds to be placed in trust are modest or when families prefer the administrative convenience and professional oversight of a nonprofit organization. Pooled trusts maintain separate accounts for each beneficiary but pool investments to reduce costs and provide professional management. They can be especially useful where a first-party trust is required for settlement proceeds or when establishing a standalone trust is not practical. Families should review pooled trust terms carefully, including any payback provisions, fees, and administrative practices. Comparing pooled trust options and understanding how they interact with public benefits helps determine whether this arrangement meets the beneficiary’s needs and family preferences for oversight and distribution decisions.
Funding a special needs trust can involve retitling bank and investment accounts, naming the trust as a beneficiary of life insurance or retirement plans where appropriate, or using a pour-over will to direct probate assets into the trust. Settlements and inheritances can be placed into a first-party or third-party trust depending on ownership and planning goals. Clear instructions and coordination with financial institutions prevent assets from being inadvertently owned by the beneficiary and counting toward benefit limits. Early attention to funding is important to ensure the trust functions as intended. Families should review beneficiary designations and account titles, and consider how retirement accounts and life insurance proceeds will be directed. Assistance with the administrative steps of retitling and beneficiary updates reduces the risk of mistakes that could compromise benefits.
A trust’s amendability depends on its type and the terms the grantor sets. Third-party trusts created by someone other than the beneficiary are often drafted to allow the grantor to modify or revoke the trust during their lifetime. First-party and certain irrevocable trusts may have more limited ability to be changed, especially if state law requires particular language for benefit preservation. Trust modification provisions and reserved powers in the trust document define the flexibility available to the grantor and trustee. Circumstances such as changes in the beneficiary’s needs, family circumstances, or benefit rules can prompt updates. Regular review of the trust and related estate documents allows families to make adjustments when permissible and to ensure the plan remains aligned with current goals and regulatory requirements.
Along with a special needs trust, families should consider preparing supporting documents such as a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and guardianship nominations where appropriate. These documents work together to provide continuity of decision-making and to ensure that assets move into the trust as intended. A certification of trust can also help institutions accept the trust arrangement without revealing private details of the trust’s provisions. Coordinating these documents reduces the potential for administrative delays and helps trustees and caregivers act promptly when decisions are needed. Preparing a comprehensive set of documents and keeping them accessible to successor decision makers contributes to smoother transitions and better long-term care for the beneficiary.
Special needs trusts should be reviewed regularly, typically every few years or when significant life events occur, such as changes in benefits, health needs, family structure, or financial circumstances. Regular review ensures the trust remains consistent with the beneficiary’s needs and with current laws and benefit program rules. Trustees should also review administrative procedures periodically to maintain accurate records and ensure distributions align with the trust’s goals. Prompt reviews are advisable after major events such as the death of a family member, receipt of an inheritance or settlement, or changes to public benefits. Having a scheduled review process helps families stay proactive and reduces the risk of unintended consequences that could affect benefits or care arrangements.
A special needs trust can be drafted to protect assets for the beneficiary’s lifetime and, in some third-party trust arrangements, to provide for successor beneficiaries under specified conditions. Planning provisions can allocate remaining trust assets after the beneficiary’s death to family members, charities, or other designated recipients, subject to any required payback to the state for public benefits received. The trust’s terms determine whether and how assets are preserved for future generations while still addressing the beneficiary’s needs. Careful drafting is needed to balance the desire to protect assets for heirs with the need to comply with benefit program rules. Families should consider their long-term goals and whether preserving assets for other family members aligns with those goals and with the legal requirements governing the trust.
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