Special Needs Trust Attorney

Planning for a family member with special needs is an act of love, and it deserves a solution built to last. A Special Needs Trust (SNT) safeguards your loved one’s financial well-being, allowing you to set aside assets that will enhance their quality of life today and tomorrow.

What Is a Special Needs Trust?

An SNT is a customized legal tool that holds and manages funds for a person with disabilities. The money can be used for life-enriching expenses from therapies and assistive technology to education, travel, and recreation all while being protected and professionally administered.

Why Families Choose an SNT

• Future-Proof Protection – Assets are professionally managed and insulated from mismanagement or outside claims.
• Quality-of-Life Funding – Pay for services and experiences that go beyond basic care.
• Control & Flexibility – You decide how funds may be used, who manages them, and how the trust will adapt over time.
• Peace of Mind – Know that your loved one’s financial security is in place even when you can’t be there yourself.

Did you know? Unlike wills or standard trusts, an SNT can be updated throughout your loved one’s life, so the plan grows as their needs evolve.

Types of Special Needs Trusts

First-Party SNT

• Funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, such as an inheritance, a lawsuit settlement, or back pay.
• Shields the money they already own so it can be used for their benefit under the trust’s terms.

Third-Party SNT

• Established and funded by someone else (parents, grandparents, other relatives, or friends).
• Keeps family or donor assets set aside exclusively for the beneficiary’s future needs.

Pooled SNT

• Combines resources from multiple families and is professionally managed by a nonprofit organization.
• A practical choice when individual amounts are smaller but still need the protections of an SNT.

Not sure which trust fits your situation? We’ll help you decide.

Choosing the Right Trustee

A trustee is the person or institution that manages the trust’s funds. You may appoint:

• A trusted family member who understands day-to-day needs.
  
• A professional or corporate trustee for experienced, unbiased management.
  
• Co-trustees to balance personal insight with professional oversight.

Our attorneys explain each option, draft clear guidelines, and make sure the trustee you select has everything they need to succeed.

Our Proven Process

1. Discovery Call (Free) – Share your goals and concerns in a quick, no-pressure call.
   
2. Tailored Strategy – Receive a clear, written plan outlining the best trust structure for your family.
   
3. Draft & Finalize – We prepare the legal documents, review them with you, and ensure every detail matches your intent.
   
4. Funding & Transition – We guide you in transferring assets, naming beneficiaries, and coordinating with your broader estate plan.
   
5. Ongoing Guidance – Need to update trustees or add assets later? We’re here for the life of the trust.
   

Why Burgess & Christensen?

• 40+ Years Focused on Disability Law – Deep knowledge of the challenges families face.
• Personal, Compassionate Service – We listen first and customize every trust.
• Statewide Reputation – Georgia families consistently recommend us for our care and results.

Take the First Step Today

A 15-minute conversation is all it takes to begin securing your loved one’s future.

Call us at 470-315-9162 or fill out our online contact form to get started.