Cover Your Assets: Credit and Asset Protection During a Divorce
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Special Needs Planning in New York City
Caring for a loved one with special needs means thinking about their future long before the future arrives. Special needs planning helps protect benefits, create financial stability, and ensure your loved one is supported throughout their lifetime. At Crane Law, we guide families with clarity, empathy, and the legal tools that bring lasting peace of mind.
Trusted by Families, Professionals & the Legal Community
25+ years practicing law in New York
Hundreds of families guided through estate planning
Thousands of real estate closings completed successfully
Offices serving NYC, Westchester & surrounding communities
What Is Special Needs Planning?
Special needs planning ensures that a person with disabilities can receive financial support without losing essential benefits like SSI or Medicaid. It brings together legal, financial, and long-term care planning to create stability, dignity, and the highest possible quality of life. A meaningful plan looks at long-term care needs, benefit eligibility, who will help with decision-making, how resources will be safely managed, future housing and independence, and the supportive roles of parents, siblings, and caregivers. At its core, the goal is simple: to protect your loved one today and throughout their future.
What Does a Special Needs Planning Attorney Do?
Special needs planning involves delicate rules that can affect benefits and financial security. An attorney ensures everything is structured correctly from the start.
Crane Law helps families:
Create Special Needs Trusts (third-party, first-party, pooled)
Protect eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other programs
Avoid costly mistakes, like leaving money directly to a child with disabilities
Coordinate with financial advisors and care providers
Prepare Letters of Intent and care instructions
Address guardianship or supported decision-making
Structure inheritances, insurance policies, and settlements safely
Build long-term plans across generations
With professional guidance, your plan becomes durable, compliant, and dependable.
Types of Special Needs Trusts in New York
Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) allow families to set aside funds without disrupting benefits. Each type fits different needs and funding sources.
Third-Party Special Needs Trust
Funded by parents, grandparents, or other loved ones.Benefits include:
No Medicaid payback requirement
Can hold gifts, inheritances, or life insurance
Flexible, long-term support
This is the most common trust for family planning.
First-Party (Self-Settled) Special Needs Trust
Funded with the individual’s own assets, such as settlements or inheritances.
Requirements:
Medicaid payback is required
Protects eligibility while safeguarding funds
Pooled Special Needs Trust
Managed by a nonprofit organization, with funds combined for investment purposes.
Helpful when:
A professional trustee is needed
Assets are modest
Long-term management is desired
How Special Needs Planning Helps NYC Families
Families supporting a loved one with disabilities often face medical, financial, educational, and caregiving challenges. A solid plan can ease much of the stress.
Planning helps you:
Protect SSI and Medicaid eligibility
Ensure funds last a lifetime
Appoint trusted people for decision-making
Avoid court involvement
Create instructions for future caregivers
Coordinate housing, therapies, and daily needs
Preserve stability in a city with high care costs
A well-managed trust reduces conflict, protects assets, and ensures the trust creator’s wishes are followed exactly as intended.
Our Special Needs Planning Services
Crane Law provides comprehensive support for families throughout New York.
Special Needs Trusts
Creation of third-party, first-party, and pooled SNTs designed to match your family’s needs.
Guardianship & Decision-Making Support
Guidance on Article 17-A, Article 81, and alternative decision-making options.
Estate Planning for Parents & Siblings
Ensures all documents, wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, support the special needs plan.
Who Benefits From Special Needs Planning in NYC
This type of planning is valuable for:
Parents of children with disabilities
Adults supporting a sibling or aging parent
Individuals relying on SSI or Medicaid
Loved ones receiving a settlement or inheritance
Caregivers wanting long-term stability
Families hoping to avoid court proceedings
Anyone responsible for a vulnerable adult
Why Work With Crane Law
Families choose Crane Law because we provide:
Patient, compassionate explanations
Practical guidance for emotional decisions
Deep experience with special needs trusts and benefit rules
Long-term planning across generations
A thoughtful, personalized approach, never generic solutions
A commitment to protecting your loved one’s dignity and future
We help you craft a plan that honors your family’s values and provides lasting support.
What Families Say
FAQs About Special Needs Planning in NYC
What is trust administration?
It’s the process of managing and distributing a trust’s assets according to the trust document and New York law.
Does a trust avoid probate?
Yes, assets properly placed in a trust bypass probate. But they still require administration.
Who is responsible for trust administration?
The trustee, the person named in the trust, manages the process.
Do I need an attorney to administer a trust?
While not legally required, most trustees benefit from legal guidance to avoid mistakes and ensure compliance.
How long does trust administration take?
It depends on the complexity of the trust. Some can be completed quickly; others take months or require ongoing management.
What if the trustee is overwhelmed?
We provide support at every stage, including full administration services when needed.
