Conclusion

By: Martha A. Churchill and Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek

Often instinctively, parents wish to treat all of their children equally. However, when it comes to a son or daughter with a disability, it may be beneficial to give a larger share of the estate to the person with a disability. A son or daughter with a disability does not have the earning luxury of his or her siblings. The person with a disability is limited to Social Security income, and must depend on the generosity of family members for anything above a poverty-level existence. In splitting up their wealth for estate planning purposes, parents have a chance to look out for the welfare of a son or daughter with a disability, by placing an extra helping onto that person's plate, through the special needs trust.

  The rest of the children will understand.

Next section: Footnotes

Martha A Churchill
Milan, Michigan.

Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek
Royal Oak, Michigan.

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This page last updated Tuesday, September 30, 2008