Special Needs Lawyers in Katy, TX: We Provide Knowledgeable Legal Services to Those with Concerns About a Family Member with Special Needs

It is human nature and a basic instinct to want to protect our children and loved ones. When that loved one or family member has special needs, there are can be additional concerns. We understand being the guardian of children with disabilities can be overwhelming at times, even though it may also offer the greatest feelings fulfillment of our lives.

Please, do not despair. Do not feel overwhelmed. Do not settle for less when you know that your loved one deserves all the care and support in the world.

You are not alone.

At the Shields Law Firm, we have a family of highly trained and experienced attorneys ready to provide assistance to you and your loved one over the course of their life, up to and including the uncertain future where you may no longer be here to guide and protect them personally.

Many cases in our history have dealt specifically with families of loved ones with special needs and disabilities. We are confident we can become an extension of your efforts to be an advocate for them. Contact our Katy special needs planning lawyers today at (832) 532-6707 to discuss a specific issue or create a plan to put in place to defend the rights and future of your loved one.

How Could a Special Needs Planning Attorney Help Me and My Family?

As with all legal issues dealing with government benefits, school, estate planning, and those with disabilities, there can be a lot of eligibility requirements to remember and even more paperwork to keep track of. It is more than okay not to be an expert on these matters. It is okay to not have all the answers. And it is absolutely okay to reach out to a trusted team of attorneys for help and assistance.

A person with disabilities deserves to live their life with the equal opportunities and ethical standards afforded to the rest of the population. A specific set of laws and regulations are in place to help ensure that can happen. As workplaces and educational facilities change, so do the rules and regulations related to them, and we are here to help you make sense of them.

The process by which one applies for benefits or sets up a special needs trust can be complex. But please, do not let the reason you’ve yet to take these steps be that you were confused or overwhelmed. The sole focus of every attorney at our firm is seeing to the needs and resources of those with special needs and the loved ones who care for them. Please contact us to schedule a consultation.

Are There Different Programs and Eligibility Requirements for Children and Adults with Disabilities?

Maybe your loved one is a minor, trying to work through the school system and obtain an education, but facing unique difficulties because of their disability. Do they have an IEP or a Section 504 Plan in place? Are there more things that need to be done in the classroom or the facilities in general that would provide your child with the support and access they need in order to level the playing field and obtain an education? Contact a lawyer with experience in these and other practice areas to better determine if the right plans are in place for your child.

But then, what if your loved one with special needs is an adult, perhaps a sibling or one of your parents? Or are you an adult with a disability and you’re looking to better understand what rights and resources are afforded to you by US and Texas law?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was first implemented in 1990 and has remained in place to safeguard the rights of those with special needs. Are there obstacles in the workplace that are standing in the way of productivity? Are there accessibility issues with the facility itself? Are there work schedules that need to be changed in order to accommodate you or your loved one? Are there necessary services that may need to be put in place in their environment that don’t currently exist? Whatever the case may be, the special needs planning lawyers of our firm have handled these legal issues before.

Maybe there are adjustments that need to be made to their Medicaid benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Or maybe there are special programs that provide resources and services to those who meet the eligibility requirements.

There is a different set of criteria for every program depending on the applicant’s age and disability. Parents and families need to know that the help is out there, though, and a Katy special needs attorney can provide them with valuable assistance.

How is Eligibility Determined for Supplemental Security Income?

SSI is a government program that provides extra money to certain eligible citizens. The payout is rather meager, and the requirements are numerous, but one should still explore whether they are eligible to receive the benefits.

To be eligible for SSI, a person must either be 65+ years-of age or be otherwise disabled. They must also have limited income and assets. All SSI recipients in Texas are automatically qualified for Medicaid.

To learn whether you, your child, your parents, or any other family members qualify for Supplemental Security Income, please contact Shields Law Firm.

What Do Special Needs Trusts Do?

Government benefits can help but can also be very limited in the amount of money and services they can provide. One of the best ways to look after your loved one with special needs over the course of their life is to create a special needs trust which names them as a beneficiary.

Unlike other estate planning tools, special needs trusts do not need to go through court upon the event of your death, and the trustee will ensure that the money and assets of the estate are distributed to your beneficiary as you intended.

The special needs trust attorneys of Shields Law Firm have years of experience helping clients create special needs trusts, securing assets and benefits for their loved one today and into the uncertain future.

Schedule a Consultation with Shields Law Firm

Our legal team has helped many clients and families over the years just like yours. Whether you are looking to apply for benefits, want to fund a trust, or name legal guardianship, we are here to help. We pride ourselves in becoming an extension of your advocacy for those you love and helping to ensure their rights are protected.

Contact our Katy offices today at (832) 532-6707 to schedule a consultation.