Planning for the care of loved ones with special needs certainly tops the list of emotionally-charged and potentially complex topics. If untimely death or disability strikes, who will care for your children? The question is difficult to confront, but the peace of mind parents gain from a well-designed estate plan can more than compensate for having to plan for the unthinkable.

How a Special Needs Trust Works

A Special Needs Trust allows a parent, grandparent or guardian to provide funds for a disabled child without disrupting the child's eligibility for government aid. Setting one up is a fairly simple process. Important points to remember while investigating the use of this estate planning tool are:

Decide on an appropriate guardian for your child.

Determine who would be a suitable trustee(s) to manage the trust's assets and supervise your child's finances.

Outline instructions for your child's education, housing and other personal needs