If you are looking for a Chicago, IL special needs trust lawyer, our team designs trusts that protect benefits while funding meaningful support. Kravets Law Group brings years of combined planning experience, Illinois admissions, and careful coordination with families and care teams. Book a free consultation to discuss first party and third party options and how they fit your goals.
Special Needs Trust Lawyer Chicago, IL
A special needs trust allows funds to be set aside for a person with a disability without disrupting means-tested benefits like SSI or Medicaid. The trust pays for supplemental items and services that improve quality of life, such as therapies, transportation, education, technology, housing support, and recreation, while public benefits continue to cover essentials. Our special needs trust planners begin with a clear picture of current benefits, diagnoses, daily support, housing, and long-term goals. With that context, we recommend trust types and drafting choices that fit the person at the center of the plan.
There are two primary approaches. A third party SNT is funded with someone else’s assets, often parents or grandparents, and does not require Medicaid payback on the remainder. A first party trust holds the beneficiary’s own assets, such as lawsuit proceeds or an inheritance received outright, and includes a Medicaid payback provision at death. Our special needs fiduciary lawyers explain how each works, who can serve as trustee, and the role of pooled trusts administered by nonprofits when individual trustees are not practical. We draft distribution standards and trustee powers in plain language, with examples that help future trustees make good decisions.
Funding and administration require attention to detail. Our special needs trust attorneys help retitle accounts, coordinate court approvals when needed, and set up record keeping that satisfies both trust law and benefit agencies. Trustees must avoid cash gifts to beneficiaries that could count as income and instead pay providers directly for goods and services. We provide a practical guide for expenditures, reporting, and taxes. Housing is a frequent question because payments for rent or food can affect SSI. We outline options and document choices, so everyone understands the tradeoffs.
Family dynamics matter. Our Chicago special needs trust lawyers discuss backup trustees, trust protectors, and how to include siblings or caregivers in oversight without creating conflict. For blended families, we design plans that support the person with a disability and still treat other children fairly. When a lawsuit or settlement is involved, we coordinate with litigation counsel so funds flow correctly and liens are addressed.
Why Experience Matters In Special Needs Planning
Small drafting choices can safeguard benefits or jeopardize them. Counsel familiar with SSI, Medicaid, ABLE accounts, and agency reporting builds a trust that pays for the right things, documents decisions properly, and prepares future trustees to do the job with confidence. Our team has:
• Experience with first party and third party SNTs, pooled trust coordination, and trustee guidance across Chicagoland.
• Attorneys trained in Illinois and federal benefit rules who draft usable instructions for trustees.
• Consistent client referrals for patient, family-centered planning.
• Collaboration with case managers, financial advisors, and nonprofits to support long-term administration.
“I’ve collaborated with Daniel Kravets on matters multiple times, and he’s an excellent attorney for corporate needs. He’s extremely dependable for reviewing commercial contracts and for corporate structuring. I highly recommend Daniel and his firm for anyone looking for an attorney for their business.” – Ilya Zlatkin
With Kravets Law Group, your plan will support independence without risking benefits. We draft, fund, and coach trustees so the trust works as intended. Book a free consultation to create a special needs plan that brings clarity and peace of mind.
Types Of Special Needs Trust Cases We Handle
Families who care for loved ones with disabilities often face questions about how to provide for their future. A special needs trust can be a useful tool to protect assets while keeping eligibility for government programs in place, and your Chicago, IL special needs trust lawyer can help you create it. At Kravets Law Group, we’re ready to use our 10+ years of experience to protect your future and your legacy. Read on to see our services, and contact us today to get started.
First Party Special Needs Trusts
A first party special needs trust is funded with the individual’s own assets, such as an inheritance or legal settlement. With the help of your special needs planning attorney, you can allow those funds to be used for the person’s care without affecting access to public benefits.
Third Party Special Needs Trusts
A third party trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, such as a parent or grandparent. This option allows family members to set aside money for a loved one with disabilities without impacting their eligibility for programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
Pooled Special Needs Trusts
A pooled trust combines resources from multiple beneficiaries into a single larger trust that is managed by a nonprofit organization. As your Chicago special needs trust lawyer can explain, each beneficiary has a separate account, but the funds are invested together for efficiency and management.
Litigation Settlement Trusts
When a person with a disability receives a settlement from a lawsuit, it can affect their eligibility for benefits if not structured properly. A litigation settlement trust provides a way to hold those funds while protecting long-term financial stability.
Supplemental Care Trusts
Your special needs estate planning attorney can also help you create a supplemental care trust. A supplemental care trust is designed to cover expenses beyond basic needs that are not paid for by public programs. These expenses may include personal items, hobbies, therapies, or other services that improve quality of life.
Family Funded Trusts
Families sometimes create trusts during their lifetime to contribute assets for the future care of a child or relative with special needs. These trusts can be flexible and can be coordinated with broader estate planning strategies. Your disability trust attorney can help you protect your family’s future.
Remainder Beneficiary Trusts
In some cases, families want to provide for a loved one with a disability while also planning for what happens when that person passes away. A remainder beneficiary trust sets out clear instructions for how leftover funds are distributed to other family members or charities.
Contact Us Today
At Kravets Law Group, we know that planning for the future of a loved one with disabilities requires care and attention. We are committed to working with families to create trusts that meet both immediate needs and long-term goals. We also assist with a wide variety of other estate planning services, ranging from wills to probate. If you are considering a special needs trust, contact us today to see how a Chicago special needs trust lawyer from our team can help.
