You may be one of the many individuals who is putting off the process of planning their estate but it’s important for anyone who is a caregiver for an elderly person or a parent of anyone with disabilities to initiate a head start. Unfortunately, when you’re putting together a will, many individuals will think of the material items that they will leave behind to others. But what happens if you are caring for someone with a disability? There are many different needs that someone with a disability may cope with as they get older and things that parents need to know in order to have these things in place for their future.

A caregiver should have a plan in place both for themselves and for the elderly or disabled person they are caring for. A sudden change in the life of either person could trigger serious problems, so planning ahead is essential.

Consulting with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney about putting together a special needs trust, for example, can be beneficial. In addition, a caregiver may wish to have a life insurance policy in place that could pay off the proceeds to a trust or directly to an individual who is coping with special needs. Bear in mind that additional planning may need to be done in order to include the fact that most individuals who have disabilities or on government programs that the qualification for these programs should not be jeopardized by giving an outright gift. Consulting with a knowledgeable estate planning lawyer can help.