Description
Acknowledgements. Preface. Introduction: What is ""Special Needs"" Planning? Part 1: Life Planning: Your Child's Place in the Community. 1. Start with a Life Plan Chapter. 2. Create the Circles of Support. 3. Life Skills are the Foundation for Independence. 4. Write a Letter of Intent. A Checklist of Life Planning Actions. The Case Studies: Life Plans. Part 2: Resource Planning: Making It Possible. 5. Identify the Services to Meet Special Needs. 6: A Job One Can Be Proud Of. 7. A Home of One's Own. 8. Understand the Basics of Social Security and Medicare. 9. Understand the Basics of Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. 10. Understand State-Provided Services for Adults with Disabilities. A Checklist of Resource Planning Actions. Case Studies: Resource Plans. Part 3: Financial Planning: Paying for the Resources. 11. Develop a Special Needs Financial Plan. 12. Estimate Lifetime Financial Support. 13. Plan for Funding and Managing a Special Needs Trust. 14. Maintain an Insurance Safety Net. 15. Efficiently Manage Income, Trust and Estate Taxes. 16. Update Your Financial Records to Implement Your Estate Plan. A Checklist of Financial Planning Actions. Case Studies: Financial Plans. Part 4: Legal Planning: Protecting Your Vision and Your Child. 17. Establish a Comprehensive Estate Plan. 18. Prepare the Appropriate Legal Documents. 19. Establish a Special Needs Trust. 20. Obtain Guardianship or Implement Alternative Protections. A Checklist of Estate Planning Actions. Case Studies: Legal Plans. Part 5: Special Circumstances. 21. Divorce and the Special Needs Child. 22. Denial of Eligibility for Government Benefits. 23. Marriage: Considerations for People with Disabilities. 24. Twelve Things to Remember. List of Acronyms. Definitions of Important Terms. References and Further Reading. Index.