| Having a loved one living with a disability is extremely | | | | plights of a special needs individual should be able to |
| difficult at times. Most parents-to-be will never need to | | | | advise the family and individual how best to arrange |
| experience the hard challenges of raising a special | | | | for the future economic and medical care after the |
| needs child. What can be even more heart wrenching, | | | | victims support system has passed away. |
| from a certain point of view, is having a loved one | | | | These are not pleasant or easy thoughts with which |
| become disabled by a serious injury. | | | | to deal. If the family and the disabled individual do not |
| An individual who has, for all intents and purposes, led a | | | | have the support of a qualified attorney, it will only get |
| "normal" life will find it next to impossible to adapt | | | | more difficult. There are government agencies and |
| quickly when they have become a victim of a serious | | | | programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) |
| accident. It is not because they are unable to learn, but | | | | and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which |
| the individual and family have not yet learned the skill | | | | have been instituted by the political sector in support of |
| sets to allow a smooth transition. | | | | disabled citizens, but these benefits will be revoked |
| Doctors and therapists can help an individual and family | | | | should the special needs individual inherit as little as |
| learn to cope with tragedy when it strikes, but most | | | | $2000. |
| families do not take into account the long term legal | | | | There are legal procedures and methods an attorney |
| needs for the family and the individual. Understandably | | | | can setup which will allow the maximum benefits to be |
| so, the immediate medical needs are the priority, | | | | retained by the disabled person. These are not |
| however, as soon as is possible an attorney needs to | | | | loopholes per se, but special needs trusts, estate |
| be consulted. | | | | planning and living wills which truly will have the best |
| Contacting a lawyer to set the wheels in motion in | | | | interests of the client at heart instead of just another |
| order to receive a settlement is the next immediate | | | | number waiting in a government line. Remember to |
| concern. What happens while that ball is rolling; after | | | | ask a lot of questions of the attorney during the |
| that? Even though a settlement may have been | | | | consultation. Many attorneys specializing in estate |
| reached and the special needs individual is on the road | | | | planning for the special needs person often has a |
| to adapting to their new life, an estate plan, living will | | | | special needs individual in their family. If this is the case, |
| and trust is highly advisable. | | | | there is a strong likelihood that the attorney has first |
| There are more than enough details for any family to | | | | hand knowledge and experience with which the client |
| handle by themselves. An attorney specializing in the | | | | will be able to take advantage. |