Brain injuries, dementia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other neurological conditions affect people’s ability to manage their own affairs and take care of themselves. When this happens, certain legal protections and financial support structures are necessary to ensure someone suffering has his or her medical and legal needs taken care of.
For persons with such conditions there are many considerations:
- Medicaid/ Mass Health benefits
- Other public benefits including Department of Mental Health and Department of Developmental Services
- Planning for comprehensive community care, such that the person can remain safely in the community without issue and living the best possible life
- Art therapy
- Service animals
- Self-Actualization and Fulfillment
- Vocational services
- Planning for residential care, only if and when appropriate
- Financial Planning
- Special Needs Trusts
- Spendthrift Trusts
- Incentive Trusts
- Avoiding impoverishment
- Asset Protection
- Guardianships, conservatorships link to Guardianships Conservatorship
- Powers of attorney link to Durable Power of Attorney
- Rogers guardianships and the New MA Guardianship Code link
- Wills
- Healthcare proxies link to Healthcare Proxies
For more information regarding estate planning and how it can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia or diminished mental capacities, contact Blake Law today.