Special Needs Planning in Oklahoma
What is Special Needs Planning?
Special needs planning is a comprehensive strategy to protect the financial, medical, and legal well-being of individuals with disabilities. It ensures that your loved one has access to necessary resources while preserving eligibility for government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid (known in Oklahoma as SoonerCare).
At Barrett Legacy Estate Solutions, our estate planning attorneys in Oklahoma help families create customized plans that address each individual’s unique needs. This planning allows parents and caregivers to maintain confidence that their child will be cared for throughout their lifetime.
Proper special needs planning reduces uncertainty, avoids legal complications, and provides families with peace of mind knowing their loved one’s needs are fully considered and legally protected.
Common Concerns of Oklahoma Parents and How We Help
Parents often worry about what will happen to their child with special needs when they are no longer able to make decisions on their behalf. They also want to protect family assets while ensuring continued eligibility for government benefits.
We guide families through these concerns, recommending strategies that protect both the individual and family resources. We create estate planning solutions including trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal tools tailored to each family’s circumstances.
We work closely with parents to address questions, explain the legal process, and provide strategies that maintain both financial security and long-term care for children with special needs.
Common Ways Families Plan for Special Needs Members
Families often use a combination of estate planning tools to secure their child’s future. One of the most effective is a special needs trust, which allows parents to provide financial support without affecting government benefits.
Other tools include guardianships, financial powers of attorney, and medical powers of attorney. These documents ensure that someone trusted can make decisions if the child is unable to do so, preventing delays or court involvement.
Our team of Oklahoma estate planning attorneys evaluate each family’s needs and design comprehensive special needs plans, combining these tools to provide legal and financial protection while keeping the child’s best interests at the center.
Planning Before Your Special Needs Child Turns 18
When a child with special needs reaches adulthood at 18, parents no longer have the legal right to make decisions on their behalf. To maintain the ability to step in, families should prepare certain documents in advance.
We recommend having your child sign a Financial Power of Attorney and a Medical Power of Attorney before their 18th birthday. A financial power of attorney designates a trusted person to manage finances if your child cannot. A medical power of attorney allows someone to make healthcare decisions when your child is unable to communicate their wishes.
Starting this planning early ensures your child continues to receive care and support as an adult. Our estate planning attorneys in Oklahoma guide families through each step, helping them implement the right legal protections and maintain peace of mind.
Start Your Journey
To begin planning for the special needs of your loved one, contact us today at 405-928-4075, or use the form below.
