A special needs trust allows you to provide meaningful support for a loved one with disabilities without disqualifying them from need-based public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Arizona's AHCCCS health coverage. Without this structure, even a well-intended inheritance can do real harm.

We draft both third-party special needs trusts (funded with someone else's assets, typically a parent or grandparent) and first-party special needs trusts (funded with the beneficiary's own assets, often from a settlement). Each has different rules, and choosing the right structure matters.

The trust appoints a trustee who manages distributions for the beneficiary's supplemental needs, the things that improve quality of life beyond what public benefits cover. That can include therapies, education, transportation, recreation, and personal care.

Special needs planning is deeply personal. Nicole takes the time to understand the beneficiary's situation, the family's wishes, and the practical realities of administration so the trust actually serves the person it was created for.

Who this is for

• Parents and grandparents of a child or adult with disabilities
• Families managing settlement funds for a loved one with disabilities
• Adult siblings planning to support a brother or sister long-term

What you gain

• Continued eligibility for SSI, AHCCCS, and other need-based benefits
• A trustee structure tailored to your family's situation
• Clear guidance on permitted distributions and trustee responsibilities
• Coordination with the broader family estate plan