TRANSITIONING TO ADULTHOOD
Beyond Goodbye: Securing Your Child’s Future
A lawyer and mother of a teen with autism provides some advice for planning for the future.
By Lisa Candera, Esq., CLC
As a lawyer and the mother of a 17-year-old with autism, you might think my professional background would make planning for my son’s future easier. It didn’t.
Instead, I was terrified and confused, predicting and planning for my son’s future without me. For what future was I preparing? One where my son went to college and lived independently? Or something else?
If this is where you are right now, this is normal. None of us can predict what our child will need years from now. However, we can create a foundation of support and stability while giving ourselves peace of mind today.
Below are some of the legal and financial steps you can take to help support your child as they age and plan for their future. These steps are complex and differ by state, making professional guidance essential to prevent mistakes that could result in lost benefits or missed opportunities.
Financial planning
A strong financial foundation ensures your child’s long-term care and quality of life. Here’s how to start.
Special needs trusts
A special needs trust (SNT) safeguards assets such as savings, inheritances, or life insurance proceeds while preserving your child’s eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and SSI.