Special Needs Planning Attorney

Secure Your Child’s Future with Guidance You Can Trust

When a child with disabilities turns 18, everything changes. Legally, they are considered adults, even if they still depend on you for support. Without the right legal planning, including a special needs trust or limited conservatorship, you could lose the ability to assist them with medical, financial, or educational decisions.

At Hall Law Group, we help families create an estate plan that protects your child’s inheritance and keeps your child eligible for public benefits. Whether you're looking to set up a special needs trust or understand your role as a conservator, we’re here to guide you every step of the way—with clarity, compassion, and experience.

When a Child with Disabilities Turns 18, Everything Changes

Special Needs Trust and Conservatorship Services

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    Limited Conservatorship

    Maintain the legal right to support your adult child in making important decisions. As your local special needs attorney, we walk you through each court requirement and prepare the documents you’ll need to establish a limited conservatorship.

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    Special Needs Trust (SNT)

    A special needs trust protects your child’s eligibility for public benefits while allowing you to set aside funds for their future. Our special needs trust lawyers help design a compliant, effective trust that meets your family's long-term goals.

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    Coordinated Future Planning

    We assist with choosing successor trustees or conservators, coordinating with your financial planner or regional center, and ensuring your special needs trust remains aligned with any life changes. Think of it as a complete roadmap for your child’s lifetime care.

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    ABLE Accounts

    The ABLE Act is a provision of Section 529 of the IRS code, the section that previously established the framework for education savings plans to help families save for college. The ABLE Act allows money to be set aside for a person with special needs in a similar way. This money can grow tax-free over time and is used to pay for qualifying expenses toward the care and support of the special needs beneficiary. Qualifying expenses include housing, transportation, assistive technology, health care, and employment support. Any amount withdrawn for non-qualifying expenses incurs a 10 percent penalty payable to the IRS and is subject to taxation on any gains or investment returns.  One of the advantages to an ABLE account is that a person with disabilities who has more than $2,000 in assets would normally not qualify for federal government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but under the ABLE Act, families may establish ABLE accounts (with contributions of no more than $19,000 per year and an account balance of no more than $100,000) that will not affect the child’s eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other public benefits. Such accounts are also easy and inexpensive to set up.  These accounts are administered by individual states and contributions can only be made in cash (not bonds, securities, real estate, or other assets), however, the cash contributions may be re-invested in a variety of mutual funds.

Why Choose Hall Law Group?

Families choose Hall Law Group because we combine legal expertise with a deep understanding of special needs planning. As an experienced special needs law firm, we:

Focus on Special Needs and Conservatorship Planning
 We regularly support families raising children with disabilities and understand the legal and emotional complexities involved.

Clear, Compassionate Communication
 We explain everything in plain language, take time to answer your questions, and never rush you.

Confused About Probate? Clarity in One Click

Meet the Team

Answering Your Biggest Questions

  • A special needs trust (SNT) is a legal tool that allows a person with disabilities to receive financial support, such as an inheritance or gifts, without losing eligibility for public benefits like SSI. Funds in the trust can be used to enhance quality of life, covering things like education, recreation, transportation, and more.

    At Hall Law Group, we help families create special needs trusts that are customized to their child’s needs and aligned with long-term goals.

  • While online forms exist, they often don’t comply with California or federal law and do not account for your child’s unique situation. A local special needs trust attorney understands the specific laws and processes in your area and can guide you through everything from designing the trust to selecting a trustee.

  • Not directly. Leaving money or property to a person with disabilities without planning can disqualify them from means-tested benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A special needs trust allows you to leave an inheritance that supports their well-being without putting those benefits at risk.

    We can help you structure this plan to ensure both protection and peace of mind.

  • A special needs lawyer focuses specifically on legal tools and strategies for individuals with disabilities, such as special needs trusts and limited conservatorships. While many estate planning attorneys offer general services, they may not have in-depth experience with the rules and exceptions that apply to public benefits law.

    At Hall Law Group, we specialize in both estate planning and special needs law—so you get comprehensive support.

  • It depends. If your child is unable to properly care for him/herself as an adult, then a Limited Conservatorship may be necessary. We help you assess whether this is the right step.

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Talk to a Special Needs Trust Lawyer Today

You don’t have to know all the answers or figure it all out alone. Our team is here to help you understand your options and make the right legal decisions for your child’s future.

Or call (925) 460-0711